Nikki and Aumar

In 2006, I prayed to God for a partner in ministry. I told God that it really didn’t matter what shape, size, color, or nationality she would have, just as long as I could serve the Lord with her in ministry. So, in February of 2007, He gave me Nikki, to whom I am now engaged to be married this year.

But there is an amazing story behind all this: chunks and pieces of different stories that would culminate in a grand story of faith and once again prove God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in my life.

You see, when I was in college, I started a business as a requirement for my course. But because of some difficulties, I ended up losing a lot of money. My mom, however, was gracious; she helped me shoulder my loss, which became a pay-when-able debt to her.

Fast forward to January of 2007. Burdened to give to the CCF building fund, I asked God, given my situation — entry-level income at the time and still in debt — how much I should pledge.

As I read God’s word one morning, He led me to a promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, which says,

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”

I then computed my salary, minus my expenses, to see what’s left to give to the building fund. But I knew that I had to depend on God and not on my ability to save, so I doubled the amount that was left. To that, God said, “Double your double.” In obedience, I did, and pledged an impossible amount — way beyond my capacity to give.

Last year, 2008, I checked on how close I was to fulfilling my building fund pledge, and I realized how short I was to my commitment. I remember telling Nikki that I was way behind on my pledge, and I casually told her that maybe God will give me a commercial or something. And that He did. I landed a commercial for a multinational toothpaste company, and the talent fee they gave allowed me to give almost half of my building fund pledge — so, fifty percent more to go.

At the start of this year, 2009, I was still in debt, more than halfway to go in fulfilling my pledge, and two years in my relationship with Nikki. But God was preparing to reveal Himself in the most spectacular way.

You see, in seeking to honor God and honor my parents, I promised God that I would not get married until I was free from debt and had completed my building fund pledge. A wedding anytime soon was therefore impossible. But as I spent time reading His word, God taught me that with Him, nothing is impossible.

So assured that God will provide, I asked Nikki’s parents for their blessing on our marriage. This they enthusiastically gave.

At about the same time, however, my grandfather had a major heart attack. His hospital bill was so large, I was greatly burdened to help out financially. I had been able to save a substantial amount together with Nikki. I asked her if it would be okay for us to give what we had to my grandfather, and told her that I would try my best to bring back the amount we saved up.

What was I thinking?! That was the only money we had for our wedding! And besides, I had already talked to her parents and talked about marrying their daughter this year. Not to mention that I was still in debt and had not met my building fund pledge.

Nikki was gracious; she said that we should just give everything and that I didn’t have to give it back. But I still asked God and said, “Lord, are you sure you want us to give this money to my Lolo? I mean, we could use it for something else.”

To this, God asked me, “So if not for your Lolo, what will you use it for?”

I said, “For the wedding.” And then God made me realize that we would be using the money only for ourselves instead of for helping others. God also reminded me that it was His money and not mine. So in faith, Nikki and I gave practically all of our savings to help my Lolo.

With no money in the bank, still in debt, an incomplete building fund pledge, and a forthcoming wedding, I asked my mom to go with me to look for an engagement ring for Nikki. After looking at our options, my mom and I had dinner. I opened up to her and said, “Ma, to be honest, I don’t have money for the ring, I also don’t have money for the wedding, and I owe you this much…” and brought out an accounting of how much I owed her.

What she said next brought me to tears. She told me that she had been setting aside money for me, to help me out with my wedding. She told me how much she was giving me, and after a moment of disbelief, I computed everything in my head, and realized that the amount she was giving me was ten times what Nikki and I gave to my Lolo. With that amount, I could completely pay off my debt to her, buy Nikki a ring, complete my building fund pledge, and still have enough to cover some expenses for the wedding.

I am now debt-free. I have joyfully completed my building fund pledge, and I am now engaged to be married to my lovely partner in life and ministry.

God asked me what I had in my hands, and He said, “Bring it to me.” I did, and in His grace, He multiplied it and gave me back more than I could ever imagine. God truly is amazing!

Please pray for Nikki and me as we prepare for our wedding and our marriage. Pray that we would continue to live in faith and trust God, and that we would be able to give Him all the glory, honor and praise that He alone deserves.