GOGIBI-PE304 JOCELYN CURILAN

Journal Questions
Set One:
Describe what your life was like before you found the Lord.
How did you feel about God before you became a Christian?
My life was ordinary and boring. The routine of school and home and nothing else to do or think about made me
retreat to books and daydreams. I didn’t have a care in the world being comfortable and well provided for by my
very busy and hard-working parents. I was already remarkably religious at such a young age that my parents and
relatives would notice and even talk about it. I did the rosary every night and memorized the prayers and stations
of the cross before I was even Grade 1. I would always accompany my mom to Baclaran on Wednesdays and we
usually go to the Buddhist temples on Sundays and their feast days.

God to me was someone who’s living high up there in heaven, who sees everything we do. He rewards the good and
punishes the bad. I believed that there was the devil, the enemy of God, who would want us to do bad things… But
as long as I keep close to God by doing good and having all the amulets, relics, other holy-water-blessed stuff near
me, the devil will stay far from me.

Set Two:
How did the people around you feel about God? Were the people you loved the most Christians? If not,
where did you first hear about the Lord?
The people I loved most - my parents, and those around me are not less “religious”. I guess they know God the
same way I did (or the other way around) but they had more means to “give” to the churches and temple in return
for favor for health and wealth. They were not the casual Catholics and Buddhist. Their circle of friends also
includes devotees and church servants. They even get “backstage” access in monasteries and temples. There were a
lot of activities but nothing struck me to the core. It was more on motions and traditions. Also, I studied in a school
run by nuns and the education system was greatly influenced by Catholic instruction. So at best, God was there like
hovering above us, more a King we need to please and fear to disappoint. No one talked about God in a personal
way. There was reverence but there was no idea of holiness – only moral vs immoral acts at best.

So the first time I ever heard about Jesus and having a personal relationship with Him was very fascinating and
new to me. That I can talk to Him like a friend. It was my Chinese tutor, Jeannel Tiu, who shared the Gospel to me.

Set Three:
Describe how you feel when listening to and reading the testimonies in class this week.
Which testimony did you like the best? Why?
I was so moved and amazed. I am in awe how the Lord moves through people and circumstances to save a soul.
Everyone can really point to that time in their lives when they accepted the Lord. The change in one’s life may or
may not be evident but everyone knows they made a choice in that point in time. It’s also great to think about the
persons who have shared the Gospel to the people in class. How they did just what they needed to do and I am sure
they have little idea how “far” that single act has gone that have lead more and more people to Christ!
I like Sis. Venus’ testimony because of how the Lord turned her life around. I like Bro. Mike’s testimony, too. I like
Leo’s testimony best because there was no direct person that shared the Gospel at first and God used a TV show.
The thought enforces my faith that nothing is too small or trivial for God to use to save a soul.

Set Four:
Describe the events leading up to your salvation. How did you make your decision for Christ? How old were
you? Where were you when you were saved?
I was 10 years old, it was July 11, 1987.

It was like any usual afternoon after school - except that that day, my Chinese tutor finally thought of sharing the
Gospel to me. I remember her telling me about children being kidnapped by Satanist groups to sacrifice them to the
devil. It was terrifying to imagine but I now wonder how true that was. It was effective though. In my fear to be
kidnapped and be sacrificed to the devil, I can only run to Christ. I accepted Christ right there and then, in my own
room.
I only half-understood what being a Christ-follower at that time. All I knew and remembered was that I am assured
of heaven. It was the 80s. I only got to know much much much later that a lot of Filipinos were experiencing a
Christian revival at that time and many are coming to Christ. It’s just amazing to look back and see what God has
made out of 10-year-old me – with what little faith and understanding I had. Indeed, the Lord is faithful to complete
the work He has begun 35 years ago.

Set Five:
Why do you think it’s important to share your personal testimony?
We should share our testimony to give glory to God. His love is so awesome and unfathomable that it’s something
that you cannot and should not put under wraps. Now that I think of it… if I know that it is the greatest news or
greatest thing that could ever happen to me, why would I not declare it to the world, why should I not show it to
the world? If people and myself only knew fully well that this is just so WONDERFUL, we would hesitate less and
desire more for others as well.
Sharing my personal testimony and the Gospel also strengthens my faith and reminds me of the goodness and
power of God. It makes me recall all the bad things that happened or would have happened but the power of God
covers it all and exalts His sovereignty over all details in my life.
Another important reason is because He also commanded us to share the Gospel to everyone. By showing His love,
sharing His Word, we become His channels, hands and feet to reach out to our lost brethren.

Set Six:
What changes have you noticed in yourself since you made your decision for Christ? In others?
Do you feel you’ve had to give anything up as a result of your decision for Christ? If so, what? If not, please
explain why you didn’t have to give anything up.
I was still so young when I received Him but I remember I immediately stopped praying the rosary and going to
mass. My parents were confused and disappointed to a point. They did not stop me from doing what I want but
they also just told me to just go through the motions even if I don’t believe in the Catholic works and Buddhist
ceremonies. I think many of my friends were weirded out as well with the things I’m saying about heaven and the
Gospel tracts that I share with them.
But I grew older, over the years, my faith and walk in Christ just went up and down… but I remember that at times
when I was down and “far from Him”, something ALWAYS happen for me to run back to Him and be reconciled
again and again and again. If there were things that I needed to give up, I know fully well that those are the things
that I would be best to be without. God never asked me to give up something that can be better than having His
presence – with His peace, and the joy of my salvation.

Set Seven:
Why is having Christ in your life so important to you?
It spells the difference between eternal life and eternal death. I have known how it is to live without Christ and to
live with Him and in submission to His will. And nothing compares to having Christ and finding Him enough and
more than enough for my life. Like the hymn goes – Give me Jesus… you can have all this world, but give me Jesus.

Set Eight:
Describe how you feel when you talk to others about Christ. Are you comfortable? Uncomfortable? Is
bringing Christ into conversation difficult for you?
It was difficult and awkward before so it was uncomfortable. But having learned more about the Bible and
understanding the Gospel and Christ’s Saving act, I felt empowered to talk about Him. I can easily (more than
before) make connections in life and situations and find the power of the Gospel is always the answer. Christ is
indeed all the answer we would ever need.

Set Nine:
Think about your favorite activities. Do you regard the things you do any differently since you made your
decision for Christ? Explain.
I’ve struggled with excessive day dreaming when I was younger – maybe the likes of how the youth now escapes
through their games and social media in this generation. It was my escape from an otherwise uneventful life. Even
if I was “saved”, this habit didn’t stop immediately. It was a looooong process. The guilt was always there,
sometimes weak, sometimes strong. As the Holy Spirit continued to fill me with faith, true remorse and truer love
for Christ, I continued to overcome. Now, and with a family of my own and raising growing children, that part of my
past still grieves me… but not without hope. So I always pray and hope for God to restore those years and redeem
the time as mindfully as I can.

Set Ten:
Why do you want others to follow the Lord? What is the best thing about being a Christian?
It’s like this… what if you discovered a cure for a dreaded disease like cancer… would you just keep quiet and keep
it to yourself? Of course not! Seeing people live miserable lives apart from Christ is really saddening… when you
know that they are just one decision away to live a life that is full and eternal in Christ. The best thing about being a
Christian is Jesus Christ Himself. The close fellowship with God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son
cannot be compared to anything in all creation. It is in the very fiber of our being. All good things around are just
the inevitable bonus goodness of being God’s child and all the trials and difficulties only remind us to grow deeper
in faith and love and trust in God because in the end, it’s always for our good.

Set Eleven:
Is there a particular person you have in mind that you would like to tell your salvation story to? Who is that
person? Why do you want to tell them about your experience with Christ?
What do you plan to do with the knowledge of personal evangelism you’ve gained in this class?
The top list on my mind to share the Gospel to are my loved ones, my brother, his wife, the brothers of my dad and
their family, and the siblings of my husband and his nephews and nieces. But in particular for my own journey, I’d
like to share my personal testimony to young people. Receiving Christ at a young age presented different struggles
and challenges than those who came to know Christ later on in life. I believe those that I’ve faced and how God has
continued to uphold me can be an encouragement to them. I pray that they can see the hand of God in every detail
of their lives and how true and trustworthy our God is.
As for what I plan to do, I am more excited to find means and ways to proclaim the Gospel to both the saved and
unsaved. One can never hear it too often too much. Definitely the class removed many misconceptions and
hindrances in my mind about evangelism. I never thought I had it in me - thinking it’s a gift that other people have
and excel in, and not for me. I thank God for using this class and being so timely for the work in GOG Bayambang to
open our hearts and minds and create this desire and boldness for the Gospel to be proclaimed. “For I am not
ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to
the Greek.” Romans 1:16