Tell Us Your Story–True Stories from my Readers

DISASTER AVOIDED

This is the story of one of the students I met while doing True Love Waits last year. The story is real, but I’ve changed the name:

“Jerry” was my school mate back in grade school. He was very athletic, part of the soccer team, and very popular. We lost contact after graduating from grade school. Our common friend passed away and I saw Jerry again after three years. I wasn’t expecting to see him there at the wake. He got my number from my nephew, who was also there at the wake. A few days later he called the house and we reminisced about the friend who passed away. He then asked me out. We went out a few times (but it was with friends).

Jerry was not studying at this time. His family was having financial problems and he also had discipline problems (he got in many fights because he was in a fraternity). His family’s financial problems were made worse because his brother got someone pregnant.

The day before my school’s Christmas break, he picked me up from school. I was dressed up, but he was wearing just his pambahay (casual house clothes) and he had no slippers! “We are going to my house so I didn’t dress up,” he said. I also discovered that he didn’t bring his driver’s license! Regardless, we were able to reach the condominium safely. He introduced me to his frat brothers and his siblings. I then met his mom, who just gave me a look then went on with what she was doing.

For some reason we were left alone in the condominium. He put pressure on me to have sex and I said “no.” I honestly wasn’t thinking about God, purity, or holiness then. I was more concerned that if I become pregnant, it wouldn’t look good because I was so skinny. I also “saw” in my mind the faces of the people that would be disappointed if we I choose to have premarital sex.

Some time later, I was on the internet and he happened to be logged in at the same time. He dumped me online. What a very cheap way to get dumped! So there I was, crushed—couldn’t believe what just happened. About a week after, I saw his Friendster picture with another girl. I read her testimonials for him. It said he was so fun to be with: they spend hours “drinking and smoking and talking about a lot of things.” She wrote those things when Jerry and I were still together. Conclusion: I was two-timed. Another stab for me.

A few months later, somebody told me that he got the girl pregnant and they moved to the province. He was just looking for somebody he could fool to give in. I’m grateful that the Lord protected me.

Don’t take it lightly or ignore it if somebody pressures you to have sex. Even if it’s just jokes or very slight hints. It just means he doesn’t respect you and doesn’t care about your future. Be discerning on every statement. Don’t be afraid to end the relationship if it’s not pleasing to the Lord. Your offering of obedience will please Him, and you will be spared from unnecessary pains and heartache.

Do you have a story that you think others could learn from? Feel free to email it to me (I’ll edit the story and change the names).

Momma Jo Randall

God has blessed me with exceptional ministry mentors over the years. One of the greatest privileges of my life was to be involved with the ministry of Mary Jo Randall (a.k.a. “Momma Jo”). Momma Jo was my campus minister during my first two years of College.

Jo served for twenty years as a missionary in Japan. She eventually moved back to the States and served as a campus minister. I was in the Baptist Campus Ministries during her final two years of ministry (before retirement) at Jefferson State Community College. I consider it an extreme privilege to be one of the last of the “Jo Randall disciples.”

Jo saw leadership potential in me—she saw beyond my shy, reserved nature. She is one of the reasons that I am so passionate about college ministry. I jokingly told her that it is her “fault” that I’m still in student ministry, since she kept doing it until age 65.

Jo was in town this past weekend to visit me and other former students. I can’t describe how happy I was to see her and spend time with her. She will soon celebrate her 80th birthday, yet she is still vibrant with enthusiasm for Jesus.

I have a sermon that I preach entitled “Abraham’s Call.” There’s a line in my sermon that goes something like this: “All of us are here (in church) because someone answered God’s call. You know Jesus because someone answered God’s call and introduced you to him.”

Thanks, Momma Jo, for answering God’s call.

(For your amusement, I’ve added a picture from Jo’s birthday party during my college days. Some of you don’t believe that I used to have a lot of hair).

Update (June 5th, 2016)

I just received some sad news today: Jo Randall passed away earlier this afternoon.

Mare Cris and I tried to visit her as regularly as we could since 2013 (when we moved here from the Philippines).   I’m very thankful that she was able to met my wife in person and get to know her.  We always ended our visits with prayer.

We’ll miss you, Momma Jo.  See you on the other side.

February, 2016
February, 2016 (Our last picture with Jo)

PS: You can read more about Jo Randall’s life and legacy on the Judson College website.