-- On Fri, 5/30/08, Jimmy and Tita Cruz wrote:

Date: Friday, May 30, 2008, 2:04 AM
Good afternoon Senior Pastor Hernes, Pastor Rabin, the other
Pastors, Preachers, Would-be-Preachers, Brothers and Sisters
in Christ.

In my 79 years of existence, this is the very first time that I stand before a huge crowd. The mere thought of
giving a Testimony gives me the jitters, but with God's unmerited grace, nothing is impossible for those who
believe.

I was awakened when I was asked by my eldest daughter's spiritual adviser "Do you think
you'll go to Heaven when you die?" My reply was "I think so". She asked "Why do you think
so?" I answered "I'm a good person who obeys the l0 Commandments and 5 Commandments of the Church and
I attend Mass on Sundays and Holidays of Obligation. She did not reply but just handed me a tract and told me to read it
as everything about being born-again is there. This happened on November 4, 2005 or 3 days before my husband
and I left for the States as immigrants.

As I relay this to you, I can see what God's plan was for me.

In a nutshell, from Rancho Cucamonga where we used to stay, we were forced to relocate to Roseville where we
joined our youngest daughter, Katt, and her kids, Hans, Rice and Kitten on September 28, 2007. This is where I
witnessed God's love and provision in our lives. In all humility, we had no source of income and lived only on
our food stamps. Katt's priority was to look for a christian church as her 3 kids were already missing going
to Sunday service

God says "Seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Through our niece, Evie
Ciriaco, a member of the IBBC, was introduced to Katt. Because of the desire of Katt's heart, Pastor Rabin and
Preacher Ron suddenly visits us on October 6, 2007. The following day was a Sunday and Preacher Ron picked us up
for Worship Service and brought us back home after the service. This is a 45-minute drive from our house to this
place of worship. It has been Preacher Ron's itinerary until December 24 when his sister-in-law, Josie, blessed Katt with her Van. That same week or on October l2, 2007. we had our lst bible study at home. This is when I was
saved and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Until this very day, our weekly bible study continues..

I met Senior Pastor Hernes on November l, 2007, day after his birthday at the party held at the Susas'
residence. After hearing him preach, I decided right there and then to obey God. Pastor Rabin announced my decision
and Katt and I were baptized on November l0, 2007.

God is truly remarkable. Katt's son, Hans, was baptized on February 2, 2008. My eldest daughter, Twinkle
(who was the lst Born Again in our family) is now spending her vacation with us. Last May l9, five (5) baptisms, all
from my family, were held at Preacher Ron's residence, namely: Jojo and Kuki (Twinkle's husband and daughter,
respectively); Rice and Kitten (Katt's daughters) and the most awaited and prayed for, Jimmy (my husband) - all
of them also obeyed God,

God is now included in our conversations. Our level of reltionship has deepened. I now understand why knowing
God is not about religion but about relationship. Now I understand about tithing. Now I understand praise and
worship. Now I understand Salvation. But most importantly, understanding and knowing that I am a sinner
and that none of my good works will get me to Heaven; that only the death of Jesus on the cross paid for all my sins
and rose again that I may have eternal life and because of Him will I do good works. Now I understand being Born
Again.

Before I became a Christian, I have already felt God's love for me. I am a colon cancer survivor. On
October 3l, 2008 it will be my l0th year since I was operated on. I prayed to God then that He gives me a long
life so that I can enjoy the company of my children, grandchildren, friends and relatives Now that I'm a
Christian, I still pray for long life - say up to 90 years or even a hundred, in order to have more time to show my
love for Him, to worship, serve and please Him and give thanks for all the blessings He has given me and my family.

I thank God for giving me the IBBC family who was responsible in my reading the Bible, knowing God more and
more, and enjoying fellowshipping. I cannot ever imagine that even now that I am in the twilight years of my life I
still have the enthusiasm and zest for joining the IBBC's activities. I'm now even a member of the
Choir and I'm very proud of it. Here, I have experienced real "kapatiran".

I congratulate and salute the IBBC on its 6th Anniversary. Really and truly, IBBC is The Church With A
Great Heart For Souls. God bless everyone of us.