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Doldani Jahuran, 30, is presently pastoring a Sama house church in his community, ministering to about 40 families. Even though he went through one trial after another, Doldani remained secure in his faith in Isa Almasih . Open Doors was with him through these trials.
A pastor was preaching in his community among the Sama people when Doldani first heard the Gospel. He rejected the message at that time.
But God doesn’t take no for an answer.
In a fishing expedition together with his relatives, Doldani set out with his explosives. Dynamite fishing is illegal on Philippine seas, and Doldani was apprehended by the patrolling military. Consequently, Doldani and his relatives were exiled to “Pilas,” one of the nearby islands, where they were tortured severely for 10 days.
From what seemed to be a time of suffering, for Doldani, it was a second chance – an opportunity to call for God’s help, even as he remembered the Gospel he rejected:
“I called Isa Almasih for help in this time of physical suffering. I said, ‘God if you’re real, free us from this suffering, and I will seek you with all my heart and serve you to the end of my days. Though I had never believed in Him, I called on Him for help and He made Himself real to me. We were freed after 10 days of captivity. Because of that experience, I came to believe in Isa Almasih, my deliverer. That was the turning point of my life; I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.”
Doldani was 20 years old when he accepted Jesus Christ in his heart.
With his new-found faith, he wasted no time. Doldani went back to his community. Through his testimony, more Sama people experienced the power of God to change people’s lives. From a life of lawlessness and rejection, Doldani is now a man of conviction and compassion, tirelessly preaching the Gospel to his fellow Samas.
Doldani’s eye sight suffered problems that led to partial blindness. Corrective surgery was needed, but the cost was beyond his means. “I just trusted in God that I would be operated on for free.”
Upon learning of his condition, Open Doors covered the cost of his eye operation and hospitalization. Doldani’s sight was completely restored.
But the biggest trial of Doldani’s life was when his wife left him nine years ago because of pressures from non-Christian relatives since he came to Christ. “It was really God who helped me overcome my trials in life,” he said. By the time his wife left him, Doldani had already lost his newly born daughter due to illness.
Throughout those nine painful years, Doldani stood firm and endured. During the time, he enrolled in Lay Leaders Training Institute (LLTI). “I thank God for using LLTI to help me grow in my faith in Christ. The training helps me to put my trust in God alone. I have learned that all the trials I encounter in this world are just temporary.”
LLTI is a discipleship course sponsored by OD to equip local believers in Southern Philippines for effective ministry in their communities. This year, OD will conduct four LLTI sessions to 40 lay leaders.
Doldani is also one of OD’s livelihood beneficiaries, though which he received a start up capital of 210 USD (PHP 10,000) for a fish enterprise. “I thank God for using Open Doors to help me begin my livelihood. The Lord has blessed my business abundantly. Now, I am able to help other MBBs in my community.”
1. For Doldani’s Ministry – Praise God for the life of Doldani! Please continue to pray that God will use him mightily to bring more Sama people into His Kingdom. Pray for more of God’s wisdom to be with Doldani as he leads the house church fellowship in the community.
2. For Doldani’s Livelihood – Pray that God will prosper him more so that he may be a blessing to more MBBs.
3. For Doldani’s Faith – Pray that he will continually grow in the Lord and will be strengthened in times of difficulties and trials. Pray for Doldani’s testimony to be preserved and for him to overcome temptations that may come along the way.
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Philippines
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