Maria’s story, Philippines

My story begins in one of the hardest seasons of my life. I was battling stage 4 breast cancer, and I was full of anger and bitterness. My life had been hard, and now this diagnosis felt like the final blow. I blamed God for everything–my pain, my struggles, and my cancer. I didn’t want to hear about Him, and I didn’t want anything to do with church or the Bible.

It was during my treatments at St. Luke’s Hospital that I met Rita. She came often to talk with cancer patients, and for some reason, she seemed especially drawn to me. At first, I didn’t know why. I wasn’t easy to get along with…I had built a wall of bitterness and hatred around my heart. But Rita just kept showing up. Week after week, when I went in for chemotherapy, she was there. She didn’t push me; she just listened. Slowly, little by little, my heart began to soften.

I started noticing something different about her. There was a peace, a joy, that I didn’t have. Eventually, I let her share about Jesus with me. But one day, right in the middle of our conversation, my treatment ended, and I had to leave. She hadn’t finished telling me what she wanted to say. Later, she began sending me text messages to explain more about salvation through Jesus Christ. I remember reading her words, questioning, responding, and asking if I understood. And then, through those messages, something incredible happened–my heart surrendered. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, right there with my phone in my hand.

The next time I saw Rita, I was a completely different person. While receiving my chemotherapy, I couldn’t help but raise my hands and praise God. I had joy I had never known before. My children were amazed, and they couldn’t believe the change. The same mother who had once forbidden them to read their Bibles or go to Bible studies was now encouraging them to do so. The woman who used to be harsh, bitter, and angry had become gentle, loving, and full of laughter. Jesus had made me new.

That change didn’t stop with me. Soon, we began a Bible study at Rita’s apartment with my family, other cancer patients, and others from the building. God even used me to lead my sister, who was also a stage 4 cancer patient, to Christ. I was able to share the gospel with my nephew and several other family members as well. My children already knew the Lord, but through my testimony, even more lives were touched. Honestly, I don’t know how many people came to Christ through my story, but I do know this: when Jesus changes your life, people can’t help but notice and want what you have.

Maria and her sister have since gone to be with the Lord, but they left this world with joy, peace, and hearts overflowing with love for Jesus. Maria’s life may have started with bitterness and anger, but it ended with hope and a legacy that will live on in her family and in every life touched by the grace of God.