Philippines

Morales Family

Gemma and Missionary Lisa Kim

Gemma Morales is a mother of six children and a service leader in the Church. She is 42 years old and has lived on the small island all her life. Gemma was widowed in 2014 when her husband was gunned down in a random crime. She and her husband were working tirelessly to provide for their six children, but now she has to provide for the entire family by herself. Those were some dark days until she found her hope and joy in Jesus Christ. During the week, she sells Sampagnuita (a type of Filipino snack) on the streets. Gemma was making pennies from each Sampagnuita she sold, but she was able to support all six children by living an honest, yet hard life.

What strengthened her during this trying time was a church that was planted in her community. Not long after she lost her husband, God sent missionary Sang Ho Kim to her village. After hearing the sermon at Love Church a few times, she decided to follow Jesus and serve at the church. Gemma was living a wayward life. She had no plans, no future, and no hope. But through Bible studies and discipleship training, she now knows that God loves her and has a purpose for her.

Now Gemma lives a completely transformed lifestyle. Every Sunday, she and her six children spend all day at the church.  She serves the church community while her children are being cared for by other volunteers. A Christian family from the U.S. is sponsoring one of her children.  She is much happier and more confident about her future now. Her faith is deepening in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Submitted by: Missionaries Sang Ho and Lisa Kim – Philippines

Gemma and Five of Her Children

Gemma and Two of Her Children at Church