LIVE A POSITIVE LIFE. INFLUENCE OTHERS.

Freelance journalist Cher Jimenez relates her interesting story of God’s blessings through her ‘maleta’ (luggage).

In 2002, I got my much-awaited return to Dubai via the Truth Awards of the Institute on Church and Social Issues of the Ateneo de Manila University. It was an answered prayer for me since I left the UAE in 2000 with quite a heavy heart. I knew in my heart that the Lord would send me back there to see some old friends and my family.

I bought a new ‘maleta’ when I returned to Dubai. When I came home in November of that year, I refused to put the maleta aside and prayed that God would bless my entry to the AIDS Media Awards of the AIDS Society of the Philippines. I claimed in Jesus’ name that I would bag the first prize and get to travel to Bangkok.

I got what I prayed for. I loved Bangkok so much that I again prayed to go back there. About two years later, I received an invitation from the Inter Press Service to be one of seven Asian journalists to cover the 15th Global AIDS Conference in Bangkok.

I was there for 10 days reporting for the IPS and Today. It was also my first time to cover an international event together with journalists from every part of the globe. My first time too, to be alone outside the Philippines.

February of 2007, I flew to Bangkok for the third time for a training sponsored by the UNDP. When I came home, I again decided not to touch my ‘maleta’ and claimed that God would give me the Yuchengco fellowship that would allow me to spend four months in San Francisco. Before the Bangkok travel, I bought a new and a bigger luggage in anticipation of the US trip.

I’m now in San Francisco and having a time of my life.

There’s nothing mystical about the ‘maleta’ or that I pray harder, neither God has favoritism.

I realize that the Lord does not withhold anything good from His children. Sometimes, we don’t ask what our hearts desire because we think it’s too much for God to do but we must remember that these are lies from the pit of hell. The Word says we have not because we ask not—-the Lord’s hand is never too short to bless, a fact that we sometimes fail to believe.

It’s amazing what God can do to change one’s life. I was just a plain, old girl whose rebellious life was rescued by the blood of the Lamb. I am where I am today not because I’m good at what I’m doing but because my Father in heaven delights in giving me good gifts.

My next prayer——to have my own family.

P.S. I wrote this in 2007 in San Francisco. I’m now married to a loving and God-fearing husband and waiting to fly back to Australia to join him.

I guess I’ll be needing more ‘maletas’ for myself, my husband, and our kids:)