By Peachie Camaya
This year, my bible study group (Symphony Of Love 2) was given the opportunity to assist in CABC’s thanksgiving service. I had the privilege of sharing God’s faithfulness through my life testimony. Some of you may have heard this during one of our prayer meetings as well.
Let me start with my 2019 verse from Romans 8:18 in NKJV – that says;
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.”
My journey with God consists of hurdles, storms, miracles, and provision. In a sense I grew up with a Christian background - I was supported financially by a Missionary from Norway (Norma) as their full scholar from Elementary up to College due to our financial situation. Part of their requirements was for students to maintain a good academic record, attend Bible studies and prayer meetings on a regular basis, as well as participate in the vacation bible school during the summer. But still, during this time, I did not have a deep personal relationship with the Lord.
I had been chasing Canada for the last 12 years since my eldest brother, Lawrence Camaya, sponsored the whole family to come here in Canada way back 2006. Due to my age, I was denied. It was a very difficult moment in my life as some of you know, especially those who are close to us, how strong our family ties are. All my family left the Philippines in May of 2006.
Again as Kuya Lawrence is just waiting for the family to arrive here, as he is getting married, he again tried to invite me as a tourist to be part of their entourage, but to no avail I was denied for the second time - they said the only reason for me to come is just to enter Canada. Again, I am clueless at that time why the Lord kept me away from my family in distance…
I tried to research and ask information about how I can come to Canada, but I failed to ask the most important Advisor of my life who is the author of it. I was advised to study becoming a Caregiver as a stepping-stone to go to Canada. I studied, completed the program even though I don’t have any inclination in it at all as my desire is just to go to Canada. As my family here was praying for me and looking for an arranged employer, that’s the time I was tested by faith. It was when I hit rock bottom that I started to ask for God's guidance and direction. Then, my best friend in college invited me to go to Dubai for the time being - that it may be an easier way to apply outside the Philippines. I PRAYED FOR SNOW, but the LORD GAVE ME SAND as He directed me to a desert county.
I went to Dubai year 2008 and started my application under a Caregiver program - for the third time, I was once again denied… at that time the employer failed to comply with the immigration requirements. From that moment of waiting, trying, and doing my best to follow my family, God's answer is not a “NO”, but “WAIT”... and so I WAITED AND STAYED IN MY SO-CALLED “WAITING ROOM.”
If there is one thing people hate to do, that is to wait. And why should we? We can Google questions rather than wait for an answer. We can order shoes online rather than suffering the long weekend lines at the retail store. We can even book reservations ahead of time rather than waiting for a table at our favourite restaurant and so on.
I believe, like me, maybe some of you right now are waiting for something? We might bump into each other in GOD'S WAITING ROOM too. It might not be Visa all the time - it could be family restoration, promotion and career, financial breakthrough, etc... The Lord showed me not on my time, but on His time. Not on my will, but His will… and as I stayed in my waiting room I decided to seek the LORD first, I allow Him to direct, lead and guide me during my waiting time…I changed my desire at that moment when I rededicated my life to Jesus to know Him and serve Him as I wait upon His answer. He comforted and strengthened me in ways I cannot imagine. I served the Lord and allowed Him to use me in His ministry and partake on the mandate of sharing His Word and works in different ways I can. Though my life in a Muslim place is not a bed of roses, as challenges were there, I was totally and completely assured that I am in God's hands and I know I am not alone. I grew in faith and realized that that was the reason why He kept me in the waiting room…to be restored, nourished, and to bloom.
In the year 2014, after 6 years of waiting and praying, I was checking my email when I got an update from CIC that 50 positions for Skilled Worker as an immigrant were opened and my current position as an HR professional was listed.
I applied and completed all the requirements with the help of the Lord as I asked His guidance and of course the full support of my whole family here in Canada.
Prayers of those around us are very powerful, thanks be to God I finally got the approval after the fourth attempt and we landed in Canada last September of 2016.
I cannot use proper words to thank the Lord for all His goodness and faithfulness. But the only thing I can testify right now is that He is a faithful God, He is true to His promises as long as we seek Him first and trust Him fully as we surrender everything to Him. He will surely do His part as we wait but we need to do ours also. We should not be idle just waiting but do something for His greater glory. As I was kept in GOD'S WAITING ROOM, I learned to obey GOD and His Words and stay in His presence until He answered my prayer.
Let me end my testimony with the verse from which God had impressed upon me during the time of waiting in GOD’S WAITING ROOM in ECCLESIASTES 3:1 IN NKJV;
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven”
As we wait upon the Lord, let’s keep ourselves occupied with HIS instructions, be sensitive to HIS words not complaining but PATIENTLY obeying His direction that He will answer according to HIS WILL AND PERFECT TIME as the Lord will never be late. That our hearts should always be thankful in all circumstances, even in times of waiting, as we know HE will answer.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.