|
 We
both came from non-Christian families and as college students
were involved in the drug culture and sexual revolution
of the 1970s.
We married in 1972 and for the next 5 years lived in
a world of drugs and trying to find fulfilment and satisfaction
in our lives. Some Christian family and neighbours began
praying for us and late in the summer of 1977, Jesus rescued
us from our darkness and gave us new lives in Him!
God restored our marriage and gave us a new beginning
in Him!
Foreign Missions...The call to go.
Someone once said, "God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called."
As young Christians we had a heart for missions through
the testimonies of missionaries sharing at our church
and reading missionary biographies. For 10 years Anita
prayed for missions, with a heart that our family would
someday serve the poor overseas. As a couple we supported
others in missions and we were involved in the leadership
ministries of Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, Ca.
In 1985 the Lord opened the door for Chuck to go on
a short-term missions trip to China. Chuck returned from
that trip a changed man; his heart was set to serve the
Lord in foreign missions.
"There is nothing indeed, which God will not do
for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be
the mist...though as he put his foot he finds a rock beneath
him." From: Streams in the Desert,
In October 1987 we took our 3 children (ages 6,8 and
10) and stepped out into that "mist of the unknown."
We left America to serve the Lord in the Philippines.
We were placing our trust in Jesus, our Rock.
We had no idea of the poverty and hardships we would face,
both personally and in ministering to others, but Jesus
has never failed us.
"The Lord stood with me
and strengthened me." 2 Timothy 4:17
Over the years the "call to go" has taken us
into joyful adventures as well as brokenness and heartache.
Yet in it all, Jesus was there with us. We can testify
to the faithfulness of God in every aspect of our lives.
Oh, how we thank Him for using those circumstances, trials,
joys ,victories and even the failures.
Through the brokenness, God has shown us His Greatness.
During our 15 years in the Philippines we worked amongst
the urban poor, providing food and medicine for malnourished
children and facilitating medical outreaches through working
alongside pastors in poverty-stricken barrios. We conducted
Bible studies and worship seminars. We also helped young
Filipino pastors plant several barrio churches and were
a resource centre by providing teaching materials for
pastors and church leaders.
In 2002 the Lord called us here to Oxford to work alongside
Pastor Phil at Calvary Chapel Oxford.
Unlike Manila with it's poverty-stricken barrios and
ghettos, Oxford is a grand and beautiful old city. However,
there is a poverty of the spirit here in Oxford.
In the Philippines we fed malnourished children and treated
and bandaged infected wounds. Here in Oxford everyday
we meet spiritually wounded, dying and spiritually malnourished
men, women and children.
Just a couple of nobodies...
We had to laugh about moving to Oxford, England. We are
a couple of simple people, not highly educated by the
world's standards, but we feel like we have PhDs in the
love of God that Jesus has showered upon us!
Oh, how we want to pass His love and message of reconciliation
on to others!
Please look at Acts 4:13 and 2 Corinthians 4:7.
Those verses are our prayer for how God might use us in
Oxford.
|
FAITH
FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOME MANILA
Marivic
Goloy lives and serves amongst the poorest
of poor at the Payatas Dump in Quezon City,
Philippines.
