David & Vicenta Cabral
The following testimony written by Vicenta Cabral is about how the power of Grace can transform one’s life. I met my husband to be in the Philippines in 1979 at the ripe old age of 17. David and I were married in 1982 and a few years later we started a family. Both of us were brought up as Catholics and had no concept of what Christianity was. We have three children, two sons and one daughter. As of this moment we have 6 grandchildren; 1 girl and 5 boys.
At the beginning of our marriage my husband was very insensitive and controlling. But there was also a part of him that was thoughtful, loving, caring and he had a big heart. I loved him very much but on several occasions I thought about leaving him. But God would always speak to my heart and I would not leave. My mother taught me to love your husband and be submissive to him. I would talk to him in a calm manner when things were not going well. I grew up in a loving family who loved God and believed in church and prayer. My family believed that prayer was number one. I thought to myself that Jesus could change my husband so that he would be a good husband and father.
I gave my heart to Jesus in 1992 while we were living in California. By faith I believed that Jesus would transform my husband as He had transformed me. I continued to stand in prayer through all of the good and bad times believing in my heart that God had a plan for my husband. In 2004 my husband told me we were quitting our jobs and moving to Oregon or Washington. I felt the reason we were moving was so that we could run away from our problems, little did I know God had a plan. When we moved Washington I was immediately lead to a small Pentecostal church. I continued to pray for my husband but at the same time I was trying to change him myself. I could see that no matter how hard I tried I could not change my husband. One night when I was praying the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me that I could not change my husband. The Holy Spirit told me to give my husband to Him.
On Labor day 2005 my husband went with me to a church BBQ at our Pastor’s house. This is where his journey began by experiencing the love of God. His experience during this BBQ lead to his attending our church. Shortly after this my husband gave himself to the Lord and began serving in the church. The Lord began to soften his heart and transform him into who he was created to be. On fathers day 2006 we had a house fire, I was afraid that his faith would be shaken. I could see that a battle was going on for his soul. My husband continued to serve the church but was not fully committed to God.
Then one weekend while on Mount Adams my husband had an up close personal encounter with Jesus. He went from knowing about Jesus to personally knowing Jesus. Having a personal relationship with Jesus was a now a reality to him. As he would say from that day forward he was all in, 100% committed to God. I could see the Lord transform him from who he was into who he was created to be. The Lord helped him to forgive people from his past; delivered him from drinking, from cursing, from lustful desires, and softened his heart so he could love and be loved by others.
As time passed he would begin his journey toward his calling as a Pastor. My husband always had a soft spot in his heart for children, especially children that were living in less than favorable circumstances. As his relationship grew with the Lord a vision was placed upon his heart, this vision included a calling into the ministry as a pastor and as a missionary to the Philippines. During this time my relationship with the Lord grew and my passion for helping the less fortunate and the elderly also grew. God combined both of our desires to serve the less fortunate into this ministry.
As we have moved into this ministry we have seen the Lord at work. Over the years the Lord has prepared not only us but many others for this ministry. We will continue to move forward in faith with Jesus leading the way!