"We used to live in poverty, in what people call a squatter’s area."

We used to live in poverty, in what people call a squatter’s area. We didn’t have our own house or land—nothing we could truly call our own.

Because of this situation, I decided to work abroad. The first country I went to was Dubai, but I didn’t stay long because my situation there was very difficult. After that, I worked in Singapore for several years. Even though I worked hard and sent most of my salary home, I still couldn’t see any real change in our life. There was no money left for me, and after nine years of working abroad, our situation remained the same.

Still searching for a better life, I moved to Hong Kong. One Sunday morning, I attended the Simbahang Universal there. I continued attending the services every Sunday, but my life was divided—half in the world and half in the church. I had doubts and struggles inside me because although I was attending, I couldn’t yet see changes.

Eventually, I learned how to be faithful to God. I didn’t lose hope and continued being faithful to Him, even after I returned to the Philippines.

One day, an opportunity came for us to start a business. We opened an Animal Bite Clinic. From just one branch, it has now grown to 30 branches. Today, we have our own house, our own car, and investments in land. I can now travel abroad not to work, but simply to visit.

God has blessed our business greatly, but the greatest blessing I have received is the Holy Spirit. He is the One who guides and leads my life.

-Mylene Layugan