Joselito: “Are you the brother that will be operated with liver transplant?” said Brother Eduardo. “Yes, brother,” I said. I didn’t expect that Brother Eduardo’s manner of speaking was very gentle and very humble. You can truly see his care for the brethren inside the Church.
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We moved from the Philippines to [the United Kingdom], Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 2008.
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Joselito Eslao and his family were in search of better opportunities.
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Joselito Eslao
Moved to United Kingdom in 2008
Back then when we arrived here, it was only my wife who was working. I was left in the house, I was taking care of our two daughters.
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But 8 months later, Joselito fell ill.
I had what they call “autoimmune disease” here in the UK. That’s how [my diagnosis] started couldn’t remedy my illness anymore.
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He was in need of a liver transplant.
Joselito: “I don’t want to fail in my duties,” I said to God in my prayers. “And I want to worship, if You will allow me to.” With God’s mercy, there were two livers donors that matched with me.
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From worshiping in different venues to finally finding their very own property, Joselito and his family witnessed the progress of the North Shields congregation.
We found a house of worship being sold by the Methodist Church. That was when the Church Of Christ bought the property.
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The North Shields house of worship was scheduled to be dedicated to God in June 2019 by Brother Eduardo Manalo.
It was April 28, a Sunday and time for worship service. I was feeling slightly unwell. I was quickly admitted and the doctor saw that my blood flow was not good.
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Joselito’s liver was in trouble. He turned to prayer. Again.
I said in my prayers, “The dedication of our local congregation in North Shields is very soon. Lord, if You would allow me to perform my duty, then give me strength I need.”
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Joselito Eslao
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
It’s rare in the life of an officer that you get to dedicate your own local congregation [chapel].
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Joselito wasn’t the only looking forward to the upcoming Pastoral Visits of the Executive Minister.
Merlina: Just like the previous video streaming, we can always see him [the Executive Minister] pleading to our Lord God on behalf of the brethren.
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Merlina Agdaca
Dublin, Ireland
So we wanted to be there first hand with him.
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Ulysses and Merlina are retired, but it hasn’t been a peaceful retirement.
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Ulysses Agdaca
Dublin, Ireland
Ulysses: I cannot move, I cannot walk a distance.
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Ulysses was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma in the bone marrow.
Merlina: We discussed that Brother Eduardo may be the one to offer the chapels. Why don’t we take courage to travel? I didn’t bother to ask the doctor because I [knew their answer would be], “No, you are still on chemo treatment.” We just decided.
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Brother Eduardo’s first stop in Europe was in Leeds, United Kingdom. After the dedication in Leeds, Joselito and his family were called into a room.
Joselito: We shook hands [with Brother Eduardo]. Brother Eduardo said, “Are you the brother that will be operated with liver transplant?” “Yes, brother,” I said. I didn’t expect that Brother Eduardo’s manner of speaking was very gentle and very humble. You can truly see his care for the brethren inside the Church.
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Joselito learned that his daughters wrote to Brother Eduardo to request a prayer.
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Joselito Eslao
Diagnosed with autoimmune disease
He then said, “Let us pray.” And we prayed. I told Brother Eduardo, “Thank you Brother Eduardo for praying for my household. I didn’t really expect for us to meet you. But truly it is God’s will for us to meet in person and for you to pray for us.” He laughed, came closer and said, “Brother, you are now well.”
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A week later, Joselito sang in the choir for the North Shields’ chapel dedication. Ulysses and Merlina Agdaca were there, too.
Merlina: From the preaching of Brother Eduardo, “Maybe there are some of you here who have severe illness.” That seeped into our hearts. And that is what gave us courage to travel.
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But the blessings didn’t stop there.
Ulysses: The instruction was given that the handshake [with the Executive Minister was for] everybody. So, it started in the sanctuary and I was at the back. Then I remembered, somebody calling my name. Then when I went inside Brother Eduardo Manalo, [he] was doing this prayer, prayer for the sick.
Merlina: I was ever so thankful. We are so blessed [because the] Church Administration to pray for us.
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Along with all the brethren in Europe, the Eslao and Agdaca family will never forget the blessings they received.
Joselito: Just last week the doctor was surprised. He said, “I don’t know what is happening to you. Your condition is very complicated. Three months ago you were very unwell, that’s why we placed you on [the urgent transplant list],” the doctor said. “But now look at your graft.” He showed me the screen of my blood grafts and it’s going [back to] normal.
Ulysses: I’m able to move freely, unlike before. It was very difficult for me-, even changing my clothes, going just around the house- it was very difficult for me. [Now] I’m able to go around with the strength that I have.
Merlina: Our faith and hope were even more strengthened. We felt the Church Administration’s love.
Ulysses: To Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, thank you for visiting us in the chapel dedication in North Shields and for praying for the sick.
Joselito: Thank you, Brother Eduardo our Executive Minister, because the whole Church and all the brethren feel your love for the Church.
Merlina: And we promise that we will use the rest of our life and strength in service to our Lord God.
