As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me.
Psalms 55:16

"--get in here now, we have a lot of customers here in the restaurant and Olivia is out." Panic instantly surged my heart as I heard Aunt Riza's words.

I paced back and forth as I thought, the phone still held upon my ear. This could be my last chance with her. If I don't get there soon, it could be the end of my studies. I can't afford to lose her support! But, if I do leave...

I shook my head at the thought. There must be another way out of this. I knew full well my Aunt could stop supporting me after this, but somehow, I felt an indescribable pull in my heart to remain. If I left now, I may never have this opportunity again.

"I'm so sorry Aunt Riza, but," I took a deep breath, feeling my heart race in tension as I began to speak.

"What?" I heard her ask. My palm made its way to my chest. Say it, Anna!

"Uhm, Aunt Riza," I managed to blurt out. "I'm afraid I can't come right now."

"What!?" I pulled the phone away from my ears, wincing as I heard her voice. "I'll ask you one more time, Johanna. Come. in. here. now, or I'll cut your allowance for a whole year!"

My heart sank. The tension I felt doubling as I considered her threat. What would I do if she really stopped supporting my education? There was silence on the line for a few seconds. I want to be able to graduate. I want to, but why do have this strong feeling that I need to be here?

"Hello? Anna!" My lids shot up, startled by her voice. Again I took in a breath.

No. As much as I reasoned with my self I just couldn't bring myself to leave. In my heart, I somehow felt that the hunger I've had for years would be satisfied today, and I couldn't allow myself to miss it.

"I'm sorry Aunt Riza, I really can't come tonight. I promise I'll make it up to you, this is really important for me." Before she could say another word I quickly held my phone away from my ear and turned my phone off. Sighing in relief, I slipped my phone in my bag and lifted my gaze to the starry skies.

Oh my, at least I got away... For now.

"Tough choice," I gasped in astonishment, swiftly turning around to where the voice came from.

"E-excuse me?" I stammered, my gaze studying the man who walked out of the Pastoral House. "What choice?"

"The one you just made, between God and your Aunt." He replied with a smile, his dark brown eyes gleaming as he did so.

"Oh that," I gazed downwards. "Well, I just couldn't let this pass. I feel as though, I need to be here tonight."

"Hmm, well, I believe you made no mistake in doing so..." His words were accompanied by a nod of approval. "Come on now let's go, the service is going to start in a few minutes." He advised, walking towards me as he spoke.

"Alright, sure," I replied, nodding as we began to walk. I discreetly eyed him, my eyes narrowing in wonder. He looked really familiar, where have I seen this man before?

"Go on, have a seat." He offered, stretching his arm towards one of the seats in the 4rth row. "I will be preparing some stuff before the service begins, will you be okay here?" He asked.

"Oh, Yes... I'll be fine. Thank you..." My gaze followed him as he left. He looked so familiar. If only I could remember where I've seen him.

---

"Are you ready to worship like David?!" Pastor Marina spoke through the microphone in a loud voice marking the start of the activity. Shouts of response were heard all over the place as the people all stood up and joined the clapping.

I looked around the place in amazement. Wow, what energy these people possessed. Almost everybody was clapping and dancing to the beat of the drums except for a few - newcomers just like me, I presume- that remained still on their places.

The songs were new for someone like me, I didn't know there were actually fast-paced Christian songs! All my life I thought all Christians sang were those old hymnals that all seemed to have the same in tune. Not that those songs were bad, but the realization as I listened to the current song being sung in a fast pace amazed me.

My palms gave in to the urge, and I found myself clapping with the others as the worship progressed, my lips slowly curving to a smile.

What is this feeling? I slowly shut my eyes as I pondered on the words of the songs. It's as though my heart is being drawn to join the people in singing. Which, I knew I couldn't since I didn't even know a thing about these songs. And yet, it continued to tug in my heart. It gripped my being strongly, refusing to depart until I finally gave in.

I lifted my gaze towards the lyrics flashed in the platform, reading each word in awe.

Oh Lord, You search me... You know why way...
Even when I fail You, I know You love me
Your Holy presence surrounding me
In every season, I know You love me
I know You love me

I returned my gaze downward, my hand caressing my chest as I felt a gush of emotion overwhelm me. Tears began to well down my eyes, and the wonder it brought was tremendous. I drew in a breath, returning my gaze to the platform.

At the Cross, I bow my knees,
where Your Blood was shed for me
There's no greater Love than this...
You have overcome the grave
Your Glory fills the Highest place
What can separate me now?

Pastor Marina continued to sing; and as each minute passed, the atmosphere in the place grew more intense, as if the tent itself was getting elevated. I gazed down to the ground, feeling another tear escape my eye. I felt as though my whole body was trembling. Whatever this was... This is what Power felt like.

After a few more minutes, the singing finally ended, all wrapped up with a powerful prayer. Never in my life had I felt so moved.

I took a seat, together with the others as Pastor Marina made her way down the platform.

"Are you blessed!?" The M.C. asked through the microphone, and a wave of 'Amen's were heard. "Hallelujah! Now, I believe everybody is prepared to hear God's message for tonight! May I call Pastor Melchour Eyasan up here to impart the Lord's Word."

The room broke into applause as the M.C. called for the preacher, and with this I probed the place with my gaze, searching for where the preacher will be coming from. To my surprise, the same man that escorted me to my seat earlier stood and made his way towards the platform.

I stared at the man for a few seconds, recalling in my mind the name that the Emcee had introduced him.

Eyasan... Now, where have I heardthat before? I returned my gaze to the man, and a silent gasp escaped my lips. He couldn't possibly be the one that Pastor Marina was speaking about... Could he?

"What I will be preaching to you tonight Brothers and Sisters, is about--" There was a sudden pause in his speech. He bowed his head for a brief moment and continued to speak. "-the Reward of Jesus' Suffering..."

I adjusted myself in my seat, slightly leaning forward as I anticipated his next word. And as the message unfolded, memories of my past life, things that I have done, those unintentional and on purpose, all resurfaced. I released a breath, amazement and wonder both engulfing me as I listened.

How can someone know so much about these things? I felt a prick of pain in my heart, guilt, and shame engulfing me as words of rebuke were spoken.

Tears slid down my eyes as I let the words sink in. This is definitely what hell-bound means. I lowered my head in shame, pondering the words he was saying.

"We all are broken Brothers and Sisters. We all have failed in the eyes of God, we all have come short." His voice now decreased in volume, compelling me to return my gaze to the pulpit in the curiosity of his next word. "This is why we all need Jesus."

I was taken aback, I have heard this Name many times. I even actually thought that I knew this Jesus, that He was a concept so common that there is no need for further understanding. But it didn't take me very long in that service to find out I was so wrong. I don't know Him, what exactly can He do about my situation? Who is He?

"If you ever felt that no one actually loves you in this world, if you felt that there is a void in your heart that longed to be filled. If you have been living in pain, always questioning why some things had happened to you... if you are so overwhelmed by the sin that dominates your life... Then this is your moment, God is waiting for you to respond, willing to give you another chance. He offers you forgiveness, He offers you acceptance, He offers you Love..."

I stared at the preacher in amazement. It's as if he was reading my whole life! I lowered my gaze; the walls I have built around my heart ... Gradually came crashing down.

"No matter what you may have done, His love is Greater than all the things that you have ever committed! His Love is greater than all your weaknesses!" Claps of praise resounded in the place. "My Friend, He has accepted you as you are, but He won't leave you the same, He wants to change you into the person He created you to be..."

My heart was held captive by his words, and I felt hope fill my being.

My heart raced as I noticed his gaze fall upon me. "Jesus loves you..." I felt a tear escape my eye, my gaze towards him unaltered as he spoke.

I furrowed my brow in wonder. How could this man who I barely knew, know exactly the words that I needed to hear? And had I not heard this words from somewhere before? How is it that it affected me so, now?

"How much longer are you willing to live life pretending, how much longer do you want to live in the darkness of sin when all it caused you was pain, condemnation, and death?" I scattered my gaze towards the others in the place, gradually realizing the sobs that resounded all over the tent. I wasn't the only one it seems..
The faint plucking of the guitar began to be heard, all the more intensifying the atmosphere.

"God is waiting for you my friend, either we follow God and forsake the world, or follow the patterns of this world and forsake the One that loves us so much..." There was a sudden silence as he spoke those words.

"My Friend, He died to set you free, and He deserves to receive the reward for His suffering! A reward that He and only He deserves," There was a pause in his speech, I leaned forward in anticipation. "His reward... Is your life. Will you respond?" The guitar then played a little louder, seemingly lifting the place to a higher plane. I sat there in wonder, bewildered that I felt as if I was the only person in the place. My gaze was now anchored to the cross painted on the pulpit, and again tears filled my eyes.

"Matthew 11:28, Jesus says... Come unto Me all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I drew a deep breath as I heard his words.

Maybe it's about time I confessed. Maybe it was Him that I needed all along. I do want Jesus, I want Rest, and I want to follow Him. I want my life to be all about Him.

My heart raced wildly within me, my eyes focused on the preacher as he spoke. "The Gift is here, brothers and Sisters, the question now is will you receive it?" I looked down towards my lap. I hadn't even realized, but my hands were shivering.

Yes, yes I want to receive it.

"Those among you who want to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, come now. Come here to the altar and we will pray for you..." The throbbing of my heart intensified as I heard the invitation; and it wasn't long before I found myself rising to my feet, moving out of my seat and towards the altar along with others.

"All of you who have come in front; follow me in this prayer..." The preacher instructed, "'Jesus, I thank You for dying on the Cross for me, thank you for loving me and coming to my rescue." I opened my mouth and followed as he prayed, making the prayer mine. "Forgive me Jesus for committing all these things, all these sins. Forgive me, I repent. You are my Lord now, I believe with all my heart that You are my Lord and you are a resurrected King. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Please write my name in the Book of Life..."

Indescribable joy welled in my heart as we all said Amen. Tears slid down my cheeks continuously as I raised my hands and worshipped the Lord.

Wonderful; this is the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced in my life. Words of thanksgiving incessantly slipped out of my mouth.

I saw the preacher come down from the platform and began to pray for the people; and it wasn't very long when I sensed his presence in front of me, as I opened my eyes I was surprised as I saw everyone from where he came from lying on the floor, crying and praising. Wonder surged my heart as a question arose in my mind; what is happening?

A gasp escaped my lips as soon as he lay his palm upon my head, mystified as I felt what seemed to be electric currents run through my body. What is this? My heart throbbed wildly, and yet, it felt surprisingly amazing.

"In the Mighty Name of Jesus, receive the fire of the Holy Ghost!" As soon as he uttered those words I felt heat engulf my body, like a wave it went from my head to my feet then back. My lips seem to move on its own, words of praise incessant from my mouth. Warm tears slid down my cheeks, my chest heaving as I allowed the fascinating experience to unfold.

"Recieve!"

A gasp escaped my lips as I surrendered to the Power overwhelming my whole body, and instantly, as though tossed by a mighty wind, I felt my body fall backward.