Good afternoon to everyone!
I don’t know how to start my life’s testimony. Without God’s strength and courage, I cannot stand here in front of many people telling about my life’s story and bringing back those memory of my old me, all those pains, and all my past sins.
I grew up in a family where we don’t practice any religion. I studied in a catholic school where my teachers are nuns. I know how to pray the rosary, recite all the prayers that they taught me and I attend Sunday masses because it’s a school requirement.
I am the only girl in the family that’s why my parents invested a lot in my education. But I am a spoiled brat, selfish, stubborn daughter. In short, I am the black sheep of the family. My parents love me so much so they gave me all the material things I need and I want. Growing up, I lived a comfortable life.
During my high school days, every year, my parents are nervous if I will be promoted to the next grade or not because I was always involved in school trouble, causing problems at school.
After high school, I told my parents that I don’t want to go to college anymore. From then on, I stopped studying and began to work for three years. I was exposed to different kinds of people at work. I learned to smoke weed, and cigarettes, drink alcohol, boyfriends left and right. I am a cheater and a two-timer. I actually don’t love anybody - I only love myself.
My parents are always crying begging me to study or get married to one of our family friends who courted me for five years and he is ten years older than me. Even though I don’t love the guy I follow my parent's wish. At the age of 21 I get married at the same time I went to college because I am not ready to be in married life.
I was still doing the same thing even though I have my son Xander. I neglected him for so many years allowing him to grow-up living with my in-laws who are Christians.
I remember my son told me, “Mommy you will not go to heaven”. And I answered him, “why did you say that don't be so judgmental. I will go to heaven” and my son replied, “because you always have boyfriends.” At his early young age, he knew that I am not a good mother to him.
I committed adultery, and a sexual relationship with another. So, my husband gave up on me. I ended up in a broken marriage. Back then, I didn’t realize my mistakes. I don’t care. I don’t have a conscience and guilt even though my parents are deeply hurt. Because I am enjoying on my own life, my way of life - without any responsibilities, only I care for myself.
My life is a mess and I am a total wreck. My job in the Philippines as HR supervisor in a call center in Makati makes me so proud of myself because I am earning enough. This kind of attitude made my life becomes worst. I didn’t stop my bad habits of drinking, smoking, and playing with different men. I thought it was normal because I am surrounded by my colleagues, and friends doing the same thing.
My life back then has no direction. I am a very irresponsible mother and daughter. I can't imagine how bad I am during those days when I was in manila. Then I get tired of my life.
In 2010, I landed here in Cambodia just to visit my co-teacher, to breathe from all those problems, and to escape from all those credit cards. I don’t have any intention to stay here in Cambodia for long. My original plan is to be with my best friend in Singapore.
But I was surprised that my co-teacher here is a missionary in Poipet. She invited me to go to the church. Yes, I joined them but deep in my heart I feel like I am burning inside the church. I don’t like the crowd. I hate the surroundings. I don’t like the people at church. I think they are boring, corny, and miserable.
I don’t appreciate the praise and worship songs because I don’t know what are they singing - it’s not familiar to me. I don’t have any idea about the different characters from the bible that they mention during the preaching. So, I feel like I don’t belong at church.
Then, I received a job offer here in Phnom Penh. I grabbed the opportunity. I told to myself, “at last, I will be free again from this stupidity.”
Later on, I met some Filipinos who are doing the same thing as me - living in an earthy world. So, I felt so happy - we drink, we smoke, we go to the bar. I told myself, “this is it…. This is life… this is what I wanted …”
Then one incident happens in my life that turns me to a realization that I have been doing this in the Philippines. Why am I still doing this to myself again and again?
Here In Cambodia, I met a lot of different kinds of people. Name it!!! I experience a betrayal of friends and broken relationships. For the first time in my life, I felt in love with the wrong person. I experience a huge Karma!
I felt so empty and broken. I'm beginning to hate myself, my friends, and everyone around me. So, I took a break from my friends, and tried to avoid everyone.
Then one of my co-teachers invited me again at church. Her name is Joyce. She invited me at Cornerstone. It was 2013 that I'm beginning to go to church again. But most of the times I am so lazy to go. But I am so thankful to all my friends those years. They did not give up on me. They always get my Sundays to be with them.
For almost two years I go to church with them, I started attending small group but still I am the same Jackie. Even though I attend the church, I do bible study, it’s really a struggle for me to change. Sometimes I ask myself, “why I am like this?” I know that there is God. I know Jesus but still I am doing the same thing. And why I can't avoid doing bad habits? I'm still the same! Then I cry to Jesus and pray, “Lord, help me, change my heart, please!”
Then I met a lot of people here at Cornerstone church I begin to observe them and ask myself, “why are they contented and happy? Where did they get the smile on their faces?”
In the small group, I realize that I don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. It's not enough that I will go to church, read my bible, attending a small group. I need to have a personal relationship with God. I have to surrender to Him everything… because when God reveals Himself to me and His love, He changes my heart.
After two years at Cornerstone, February of 2015, I believed Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I am proud to say that the Lord loves me so much. I am His daughter and I am forgiven for all my sins. On August 29, 2015, on my birthday, I decided to be baptized and ready to tell to the world that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior – that I am a follower of Jesus.
On the other hand, my family in the Philippines don’t understand my decision to follow Jesus especially my father. He told me to stop attending church because he said it was a cult. My father doesn’t trust me anymore.
Along the way, they notice the change in me. I become a caring daughter. I call them. I send them money. I talk to my son. I become more positive in life and I tell to my family how God changes me. Praise God, they began to listen.
I become more curious and hungrier to study GOD’s word. I made a deal/promise with God – “Lord, I will obey you.” One of those deals is to give my tithes and offering… “But please Lord, prove to me that you are a living God that I will not experience any financial problems. Help me to be a good steward of your blessings.”
And from then on, I saw and experience how God fulfilled His promises. He always provides for all my needs even during the pandemic time when I don't have the full salary, God never fails to provide for my needs and I was able to help others as well.
I said, “God, you are so amazing! You blessed me with a wonderful son that I don’t deserve to have. At his young age, my son is more prayerful than me.
After 11 1/2 years here in Cambodia, I am going home to the Philippines this May 28. By God’s help, I am ready to face my family and others and I love to share the good news of Jesus Christ about how wonderful life is with the Lord.
In my life now, I always say, “Lord, I give it all to you all my worries, my problems, - that how blessed I am to have Jesus in my life.” It’s not the money, it's not the material things, it is not someone who will complete you and give you real happiness …the real happiness is the true and everlasting relationship with Jesus…
I am thanking God for all the blessings, for the gift of salvation, for knowing Jesus that there is an unchanging and unconditional love from Him.
From Philippines, my plan is to go to Canada. I believe studying in Canada is another way of God to tell me that He is indeed working in my life and that He will never leave me. I will study at Bible college in Canada for two years taking up Christian Leadership. Right now, I am waiting for my student visa to be released.
Cornerstone Church is one of my inspirations. For all of you, thank you so much for all your prayers. Thank you, Pastor Rogil and Jaja and for all my mentors in this church for your patience to my life. I would like to thank God for this country, Cambodia is where I found Jesus!
Cornerstone Church family will be forever in my heart. This is not a goodby! This is just the beginning of my new journey with the Lord. Churchmates, you are my family, you are in my heart!
Please pray with me that I will finish my schooling by God’s grace and help. Until we see each other again.
God bless you all and happy anniversary Cornerstone Church!
This is Jacqueline Cornejo Caubalejo, once a slave of alcohol, cigarettes, wrong relationships. Once a proud and rebellious daughter and mother. But transformed by God’s grace and power - I am now a follower and servant of Jesus Christ. I give all the glory to God!
