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Raquel David
Virginia
With Brother Eduardo V. Manalo
2023
Raquel David: Dear Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, my name is Raquel David. I am deaf. I was born in the Church and I am a deaconess in the Local Congregation of Macon, Georgia. I will always remember the time we met at the pastoral visitation in South Atlanta, Georgia, back in August of 2013. The worship service was so spiritual. We must fight for our faith, no matter what we experience. That’s what I’ll always remember. The enemy may try to deceive us and lie to us. But as long as we stay alert and faithful in our membership, we won’t be turned away. We’ll remain until the end. And so, we fight. I will always fight for my faith, no matter what happens.
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I will always fight for my faith, no matter what happens.
Raquel: Well, a few months ago, my husband, Ramon, passed away. When my family lost him, our hearts were broken. We were about to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary and even planning to renew our vows as husband and wife. But God had different plans.
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Raquel David
Macon, Georgia
Raquel: Being deaf, we didn’t have many people to talk to, but we always had each other. We did everything in this life together, including performing our duties as deacon and deaconess. It has been difficult losing him, but I know God is here for me. He proved this through you as our Executive Minister.
Brother Eduardo, I’m so grateful because you remembered our family during this time. Your support and prayers helped us navigate through this chapter of our lives and it comforted us to know you are thinking of us. And so, even though I may not have Ramon by my side now, I remember what we learned through your leadership. I will never stop serving God. I will always perform my duties until the end, and that is what I will do for the rest of my life.
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I remember what we learned through your leadership. I will never stop serving God. I will always perform my duties until the end.
Raquel: Brother Eduardo, I also want to thank you for establishing the CSD or Christian Society for the Deaf. The CSD has given us so much hope for the future. From a time wherein Ramon and I only had each other to speak to, to now wherein so many brethren who are like me, deaf, are able to connect and meet. We have so many deaf friends in the Church now who have the same faith, same belief, same life experiences as me. And we even use the CSD and the different videos made to share with our deaf friends who are not Church Of Christ members yet. That was one thing Ramon and I did together, especially Ramon.
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Raquel David
Macon, Georgia
Raquel: He shared his faith with a lot of old friends that he went to school with. He would share the CSD app with them, as well as the videos with sign language interpretation, so that they could know about the Iglesia Ni Cristo, as well. Ramon always helped in sharing our faith. Even days before we lost him, we were able to attend a Bible study with our son who had deaf Bible students. And because our sons are in the holy ministry, we are thankful that we can even do this together, sharing our faith together in different states. There are times when they call me and introduce me to their deaf visitors, and I do the same with them, since they are ministers. The CSD makes me a better INC member.
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Raquel David
Macon, Georgia
Raquel: I am so happy we have you, Brother Eduardo, as our loving Executive Minister. I will always remember what you told me right before you left that pastoral visitation in South Atlanta ten years ago. Ramon and I shared a moment with you we will never forget. After telling you our only two sons joined the holy ministry, you told us, “You will not be forsaken” (“Hindi kayo pababayaan”). This has truly been fulfilled in our lives, seeing the numerous ways that God has worked miracles for me and my family. Thank you, Brother Eduardo, thank you for all that you do.
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“You will not be forsaken” (“Hindi kayo pababayaan”). This has truly been fulfilled in our lives, seeing the numerous ways that God has worked miracles for me and my family. Thank you, Brother Eduardo, thank you for all that you do.
Raquel: With love, your sister in the faith, Raquel David.
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