Ramona in Southern Philippines: Finding peace in the presence of the Lord

Ramona*, 48, had lived most of her life without direction. She was raised in a Muslim family in Mindanao, where she learned to pray as part of the family routine. “We would pray even if we didn't know the purpose of our prayers; we just followed without understanding,” she often says when reflecting on her early years. Life seemed to move on, but without any deep sense of meaning or peace.

Her parents, strict Muslims, raised her in a home where the teachings of Islam were upheld above all else. They followed their faith diligently, but Ramona’s life lacked joy. She had no clear sense of purpose, and she turned to gambling as an escape from the emptiness she felt. It became a routine—gambling was her way of coping, even though it brought no real peace.

At the age of 13, Ramona fell seriously ill, and while her parents took her to various doctors, the treatment didn’t seem to help. It was during this time of sickness that something remarkable happened: one of her friends, a believer in Jesus, prayed for her. “They prayed over me and raised their hands towards me,” Ramona says, recalling the day she miraculously recovered. Despite the healing, she didn’t yet understand the faith behind it, and she continued her life as usual.

She married a Muslim man, and together they had six children. For a while, their life was just like everyone else’s in their community. But the seeds of change were quietly planted. Over time, Ramona’s husband encountered Jesus and converted to Christianity. His conversion changed their family dynamic, but unfortunately, he passed away, leaving Ramona to raise their children alone.

In order to provide for her family, Ramona worked as a seamstress, sewing clothes for a living. For additional income, she took up a side hustle preparing for funerals, a job that brought her little joy but provided what she needed to feed her children. Though she was surviving, she still lacked true peace.
 

Entering the Narrow Path

Ramona’s transformation began when she chose to embrace the faith her husband had found. Despite her initial confusion and fears about leaving behind her Muslim upbringing, she was drawn to the peace and joy that seemed to flow from the Christians around her. They were so different from what she had known—they had a hope that was unshakeable, even in the face of persecution.
As she took the step of following Jesus, she began to experience what it truly meant to live for Him. There were costs, of course. Ramona knew that the decision to follow Jesus would come with challenges, especially in a Muslim-majority area. But she felt the call deep in her heart, and she chose to walk the narrow path.

Facing Persecution: A Test of Faith

As a new believer, Ramona’s life became a battleground. Her faith led to a series of attacks, not just from outside but also from within her community. She was often the target of bullying and threats. Stones were thrown at her house, and she was taunted for her decision to follow Jesus. But despite the persecution, Ramona stood firm.

One vivid memory she holds onto is the time her grandmother confronted a neighbor who had almost hit her child with a gallon of water. “Why would you hit her just because of water?” her grandmother asked. The man angrily responded, “You know water is important; your grandchild is wasting it.” Her grandmother, calm and resolute, simply replied, “I will pay for whatever water was wasted, but we will not be silenced.”

The bullying continued, and Ramona often found herself praying for her enemies instead of fighting back. She understood that her battle was not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. “No, I don’t get angry with them because I have Jesus Christ,” she says, reflecting on how her heart has been transformed. “I’ve lost my mother, father, husband, and child, but it’s okay with me. I will never give up on Jesus Christ, even if I die in the mission for Jesus Christ, it’s okay with me.”

However, Ramona found encouragement in the fellowship of other believers. Despite the challenges, her house church became a place of hope and renewal. “We help each other in our house church and pray together,” she says with a smile. “Sometimes, we collect tithes and offerings whenever there’s a ministry happening in our community, including snacks for the children. We are a family.”
 

Miracles of Provision

Ramona believes that the miracles she experiences in her life are a direct result of God’s faithfulness. “There are many miracles happening in our lives,” she says. “The love we show them even though they bully us, and how He provides for our livelihood—it’s all miracles. We are constantly amazed by His goodness.

Despite the hardship, the Lord provided for her family. Ramona’s children, many of whom are students, still live with her, and she continues to work tirelessly to care for them. Her faith in God's provision remains unshaken, even when the future seems uncertain.
 

The Role of Open Doors

Ramona’s faith journey has been further strengthened through the training and support she received from Open Doors. “The trainings helped us share the Word of God, especially with our children,” she says. “They taught us how to discipline our children in love and how to share Jesus with those around us.” The opportunity to learn and grow in her faith has equipped her to be a better witness to the people around her, despite the difficulties she faces.

Ramona’s life is a powerful testimony of God’s grace. From a life of aimlessness and spiritual darkness to a journey of transformation and service, she now walks the narrow path, fully committed to the Lord. She knows that the cost of following Jesus is great, but she also knows that He is worth every sacrifice. In the face of persecution, she does not shrink back. Instead, she presses forward, fueled by the love and strength of Jesus Christ.