Let me write about her…
“is Jesus really dead
on Good Friday’s?” this was among the many questions Riza Mae, our host’s
daughter has asked us.
Riza is
13 years old. We met her during the survey, a week before we moved to our
second area – San Antonio. We could not find a place for the team to stay. Riza
offered their house and their firewood and their backyard for the guys’ tent,
thank fully her mother agreed. We moved in and she went around with us inviting
the kids and youth. She started asking questions , questions none of us ever
wondered about let alone ask. Her questions made us really think, wonder and go
back to the Lord and His Word for answers – He provided answers.
At
about 2 in the morning while at her uncle’s wake, she asked (after so many
other questions) “Is Jesus really dead on Good Fridays? Does He die every Good
Friday?” she is sad and cries on Good Fridays because God is dead and rises
again every Easter Sunday. That is what
they were taught growing up. That is what she believed. We shared the memory
verse Hebrews 9: 28 and asked her what the scripture says. “He only died once.
He will not die again. He is not dead!” she was so happy and relieved to know
that Christ is not dead and Good Friday is to remember what He did. We later
knew that Riza came to faith during one of the Kids Bible Study (maybe VBS)
back when she was younger and was still in Catanduanes. She has since then loved
Jesus and tells people about him. The coming of the team helped her understand
the Gospel more and have a vision to be used for His glory. She was baptized
before the team left. Her mother and younger brothers were witnesses to her
baptism.
Bicol 2012 Team, Nehemiah Teams Luzon
