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Will and Grace: A Testimony (Part II)



You see, it was God’s WILL that I pursue a career in dentistry even if I never dreamt of becoming a tooth specialist, only for me to come to know and accept Him as my personal Lord and Savior on the difficult penultimate year in college. It was His WILL that I forego taking the Dental Licensure Examinations right after graduation so that I can join the Philippine Healthcare Ministries in their medical/dental mission in Romblon, growing spiritually and being baptized in His name in the process. It was His WILL that I witness the plight of my countrymen, as well as a miracle that happened in one of the medical missions we had in Bicol, so that I will see my limitations as a dentist and be interested in pursuing further a career in medicine. It was His WILL to ‘exile’ me in Baguio so that I’ll learn to stand on my own, dependent only on His provisions, and for Him to test my faith in the company of unbelievers. It was His WILL that I take my post-graduate internship in Manila so that I can catch up with the lost time with Him and my family. It was His WILL that I finish my training on schedule so that I’ll have plenty of time to prepare for the board examinations.

Thankfully, by His GRACE, I was able to finish Dentistry and pass the licensure examinations despite my lack of interest. By His GRACE, I was able to go to different places in the Philippines and even as far as Cambodia, and be exposed to the needs of our brethren, even if I didn’t have the resources. By His GRACE, I was given the opportunity to witness first hand His giving life to a dead baby in Bicol, despite my doubts and being new in the faith. By His GRACE, I was able to finish Medicine, with all the comforts of living in an apartment, a dormitory, and a big house in Baguio, a more than sufficient monetary allowance, even the advantage of having a personal computer, without having to burden anybody for finances. By His GRACE, I was chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (Cordillera Administrative Region) for medicine, despite my unremarkable academic performance. By His GRACE, I was one of the AFP Medical Center’s Outstanding Medical Interns of Year 1999-2000, despite being one month late in starting with their training program. And by His GRACE, I was able to pass the Physician’s licensure examination with all confidence and peace, despite my inconsistent self-review and lacking materials...
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