Jonalyn Shares Her Joy
By CYBILL P. BAYTO
HAVE you ever asked yourself: Why are you here?” “Why are you in this country right now?”
These questions now and then come to Jonalyn Nomo’s mind, reminding her to be strong and joyful through the struggles in her life in the Middle East.
And by God’s amazing grace, she has received God’s perfect answers to these questions.
Jonalyn was among those who shared their testimonies at the Feast Conference, our biggest inspirational learning event held online on November 19-21, 2021, centered on the theme Joyful, Joyful.
And yes, Jonalyn has well learned to be joyful amid her life’s trials.
She narrated that back in October 2018, she faced challenges that tested her faith.
A friend who she trusted the most ran away with money she lent her– plunging Jonalyn into deep debts, so bad, that she couldn’t make both ends meet for her family.
Burdens to Blessings
These burdens turned out to be blessings, as she turned to God to help her.
In 2019, she joined the Legion of Mary, starting a devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. She then joined a Bible Study Group, and learned so much about God and His unconditional love for His people.
Still, she said she couldn’t help worrying as she was still deep in debt.
And it didn’t help that by the end of 2019, the Coronavirus Disease (COVID) was discovered and consequently, the COVID Pandemic by 2020 up to today.
Feast Journey
Again, Jonalyn couldn’t do much but to surrender her burdens to God.
One day, reading Scripture through an online Bible app, she read this verse: “Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be anxious for I am your God. I will stand with you and I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10).”
“This was an affirmation from God that He is with me,” she said.
And this promise would be fulfilled for her.
The Year 2020 may be horrible because of the Pandemic, but Jonalyn can say this year was greatest for her. For this is the year she found The Feast! A friend from her Bible group invited her to attend Feast Middle East. She attended and there began her journey to God’s Love.
At The Feast, she received the answer to those questions about why she is in the Middle East.
For it is at The Feast that she found a spiritual family and felt God’s Presence— through sisters and brothers in Christ.
“I know that God has answered my prayers by sending me a spiritual family who will guide, love, and accept me for who I am,” she said.
Worshipping God with her spiritual family has deepened her faith in God, she added.
But, Jonalyn said, “I am still God’s work in progress.” She said she still struggles with her debts, but she knows that with God’s grace and with unceasing prayers, she will be free from all these trials– and she claims to have a better life soon.
And at the FEASTCON, she would learn to be joyful even amid her struggles, keeping in mind God’s promise: “I will stand with you and I will help you.”
So, she ended her sharing at the FEASTCON with this message:
“Remember, when things are hard and tough, amid sadness, hardships, and
sufferings, know that God is always with you… Jesus is carrying us through our difficult time. We just need to trust Him. He loves us more than we can ever imagine…
“Remember, He is our Way… our Miracle Worker… And His unfailing love will keep us going. So, pray fervently and unceasingly. Every prayer is the start
of every miracle. May God keep you and bless you!”
