God's Provision, God's Assurance
Full Name: Jevelyn Fabricante Mancenido
CG Name: FPSLOvcom1
Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails – Proverbs 19:21.
My F&B Background
I’ve been in Singapore for over 3 years now. I worked in the F&B industry and had been attending HOPE Filipino Church for more than 2 years. Everybody knows the condition and working schedule at the F&B industry. I’ve used all alibis and reasoning just to attend the Sunday service, caregroup and other activities. Thank God who favoured me so much with my roster, and who worked in the hearts of my managers that they even asked me to create my own roster. Still, I felt unjust and unfair to my colleagues who have to cover for me most of the time. With so many things in my mind and nearly 2 months before my contract ended, I prayed and asked God on what He wanted me to do. I decided not to renew my contract. My manager guessed it right that it was because of church that I wanted to leave. He asked me to stay, offered increment and promotion even. He also explained the risks out there – of the difficulty of getting an office hour job, MOM’s highly selective approval process, and that I do not have enough office work experience. But I told him that I had prayed about it and I will take the high risk of finding an office hour job. I had my last day at work on July 31, 2010.
The Job Offer
Two weeks before my last day, I had my first interview. I was so excited and truly believed that nothing is impossible with God. The interview went well and lasted for 45 minutes; I assumed that they liked me and would soon call me for the next round of interview. Indeed, God is great. They called me and offered me the job. They informed me that they will process my pass immediately. Together with caregroup and the whole Overcomers Unit we prayed and claimed this wonderful blessing from God. It was that quick and easy. After 3 days I received a call from the HR office informing me that my pass was rejected. Despite this heartbreak, I praised God and thanked Him for I knew that something greater is coming my way. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to His purpose”.
Keeping At It
Every day I would send out at least 30-40 applications online. Days passed that I didn’t receive a single call, some had the courtesy to reply through email informing me that I am not fit for the office hour job position that I am applying for. I was beginning to worry and lose hope. I became anxious about my situation – I only have limited time to carry on, I have to exit Singapore since my ICA extension was rejected, my finances was getting depleted and I’m the breadwinner of the family. I started to think of not giving the 1.5% of my salary which I promised to God for the Church Building Fund. I was thinking that maybe I could do that once I get my new job. But my shepherd encouraged me to give it to God first. At once, with the rest of my savings and my last salary, I offered it to God. With all these thoughts running across my mind, God reminded me of His words in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. Determined to have an office hour job, I continued to seek and asked God to reveal His plans for me. I devoted my time in His presence, claiming that God has something great for me. Truly, God blessed me in my applications. There was this huge company who selected me out of 40 candidates for the final interview. The selection process was strict and complex and I even admitted that my experience was too far off from the field that I applied for. I didn’t get the job but I was amazed on how God favoured and showed me that He can do exceedingly more than what I imagine and ask for. Another employer told me that when she opened my email, she saw something in my resume that she can’t explain and that’s why she invited for an interview. The rest of my interviews with other companies proved God’s remarkable
kindness and goodness. I was astonished by His grace.
The Lord’s Assurance
With the church anniversary (26 September) approaching, I joined the Performing Arts Ministry and committed my time in dance practices. My visa will expire on 28 September. Aware that I need to extend my stay here, I tried to apply for ICA again but it was not successful. My caregroup laid down a few plans but I can’t decide. I just needed to speak and hear from God. The night before I slept I talked to God and cast on Him all my worries and fears. God gave me His assurance in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord, Your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you… Do not be afraid for I myself will help you”. The next morning, we came to a decision to exit on Monday, 27 September. It’s too risky but I am certain of what the Lord wants me to do. During the Anniversary, preaching Pastor Christie was sharing about 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat defeats Moab and Ammon. I was intently and carefully listening to her preaching at the backstage. As Pastor Christie illustrated how Jehoshaphat inquires help to the Lord, I was envisioning myself in the same situation. I was claiming and receiving the same victory that Jehoshaphat had. I was uttering victory already that I will have my office hour job after the Anniversary.
The Miracle
I exited to Batam, Indonesia. I was not even boarding the ferry yet when the officer asked me to stay at the Singapore Immigration Office for further questioning. I prayed in tongues and was released. We travelled for about an hour going to Batam. I was detained once again this time at the Indonesia Immigration Office. The Officer didn’t allow me to enter Indonesia and asked me to go back to Philippines. I was pleading for a few more days’ stay as I told him the truth that I am waiting for my application results. Still he didn’t agree and demanded a S$1,200 bribery. I settled to go back to Singapore and surrendered everything to God. On the way back to Singapore, I was so nervous to face the Immigration Officer but I discerned that the Lord will help me – I just don’t know how. When the officer called me, I took a deep breath. She scanned my passport and white card, chopped my passport and without any inquiry, granted me another 30 days of stay in Singapore! I was speechless and I kept shaking and crying. God has just done a miracle! Indeed He is alive. He delivered and helped me.
Back to Singapore for Good
With another month of stay here in Singapore, I didn’t waste any time. I sent my resume online, joined job fairs and walk-in interviews. To my dismay, none called and none replied. I was financially constrained and asked God how long I have to wait. I had been faithfully giving and serving unto Him but still I don’t have what I need. But the Lord, in His enormous power, said in His words in Isaiah 14:24 “Surely as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.” In my surprise, the consecutive Sunday, Pastor Christie preached about Believe and Receive. And I claimed that it was His message for me, that nothing is too hard for the Lord. Two weeks after the anniversary and my triumphant re-entry to Singapore, an employer called and offered me a job. The pass was approved a few days after. It was an office hour job with a very good starting pay at a renowned telecommunications company here in Singapore. It was worth all the wait.
2 Chronicles 16:9 says, “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” and in Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. It was Him and for Him that I stayed strong and firm in what I believe in. I was strengthened and found courage to keep up my faith. Praise God and glorify His Name forever!
