To remember her by, I'd like to share her testimony she gave me the first time we met. It shows her deep love to her Savior and Lord by her extraordinary faith and obedience. I pray for comfort to those whom she left behind.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
The Miracle of the Opened Eye
by Ester Llenado Bonifacio
I was 11 years of age when I discovered something wrong with my eyes. The retina of my left eye no longer centered and the eyelid was drooping. The doctor diagnosed my sickness as mystiquia gravies. I had injections many times. I took pills daily. The doctor massaged my head and used electrical instruments and ultraviolet rays to heal me. I kept getting worse and could feel my right eyelid becoming heavier.
One of the finest doctors in Manila took many pictures of my eyes and said he would make an exhibit of my case.
Needless to say I was spending much money on treatment and medicine but the condition of my eye was seemingly hopeless.
I wanted to die. I was not able to finish my studies because of this handicap. Whenever my eyes became overly fatigued severe headaches would develop.
I seldom ever could read because of the strain it would place on my eyes. When friends would visit me they would read for me. One day a friend brought a newspaper clipping telling of a religious crusade taking place. She read, "Miracles are being witnessed at this meeting!" It was a Protestant gathering and our dominant religion in the Philippines is Catholic. Even so, I thought I might receive healing for my eyes.
It was Thanksgiving day when I came to the crusade at San Lazaro Hippodrome desiring to be healed. Rev. Lester Sumrall was leading the crowd singing, "Oh, How I Love Jesus." Tears began to stream down my face. At that very moment I feared God with all my heart as never before. I recalled my sin and repented instantly. Afterward I had perfect peace and joy that kept me wondering why I was so happy when no one was entertaining me or talking with me. The people in the crowd were merely strangers to me. As I have grown in my faith I have found that it was a born again experience I was feeling. I joined the healing line and was prayed for and then baptized in Manila Bay by Rev. Sumrall. From that day on I began following the ministry of Pastor Sumrall.
A short time later Rev. Sumrall needed to raise $5000 to be used toward the building fund of our new Bethel Temple church. God told me to give my plastic penguin bird worth 80 to 90 pesos and also I was to donate my silver coins.
Then I decided to give all the money I had in the bank. Since I was single at that time the only thing I had was my money. God knew how I loved money and that I had even enjoyed saving money since my early childhood days. When I withdrew the money from the bank and brought it to give it to the church, Mrs. Sumrall was very reluctant to take it. She told me that anytime I felt I needed the money back that she would return it to me. I was confident that God was commanding me to give all that I had and I was afraid to disobey Him.
To this day I have no regrets for giving that money. God has been true in His promises and has blessed me financially a hundred fold.
My eyesight returned and the lid opened up. Then God gave me a job to work as a cashier in a shoe store.
In 1957 I married Andres Bonifacio. After three years of married life God gave us a house and lot of our own. He has blessed us with three lovely daughters and every desire of our hearts.
Since 1970 I have been able to confess to the entire world of a complete healing from the Great Physician. Men do fail... but Jesus never fails.
I cannot forget the day I fell in love with my First Love – Jesus Christ – it has been the highlight of my life.
We love and appreciate the founder and father of Manila Bethel Temple, Lester Sumrall.
April 1973
Wonderful testimony. May we learn something from it.
ReplyDeleteCondolence to the Bonifacio-Celiz family. You're in my prayers. :)
Praying for Doc Claire and family.
ReplyDeleteGod's abiding peace be upon them all.
Our condolences to the Bonifacio family together with their children and grandchildren. May God's face shines more brighter upon you in this time of bereavement. We are praying for all of you.
ReplyDeleteThat was a delight and uplifting testimony to read as I grew up (literally) inside Manila Bethel Temple. My father was one of the custodian for the church. I'm not sure if my family (Patana) and your family has met but it's a blessing to know that in some way we are connected. I've emigrated to Canada just before the church changed to Cathedral of Praise but I still keep in touch with a lot of former and current members of the church.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences and prayers to every member of the bereaved family. What a legacy..
Sincerely, Grace Tabios
Condolences to the family.. May God bring comfort at this time of mourning..
ReplyDeleteNice sharing Christian=) and inspiring too....
ReplyDeleteCondolences. God bless.
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the wake for Ester Bonifacio will start at July 22, 2009, 6pm at the Loyola Guadalupe Chapel Q ground floor
ReplyDeleteI was not aware when I shared my mother’s testimony during the service at the wake last July 24 that Christian has already posted this in his multiply account. He mentioned it to me afterwards and I said that she must have shown you the magazine clipping which must be tattered by now. I was amazed to learn that he was handed a photocopy and there were several more in the envelope where it came from and yes, you can tell from the copy he had that it was very worn out. I asked when he got it and was told that it was when Claire first introduced him to her Lola sometime at the end of 2007.
ReplyDeleteSuch is the power of the life-shattering touch of God in Nanay’s life, an experience so great that more than 50 years after it happened, she was still sharing it every opportunity she got, the details etched in her memory and lovingly preserved. Little did Nanay know that when she handed a copy of that clipping to Christian that it will get posted in this blog. Little did she know that her testimony will continue to be shared and bless more people even when she is no longer around to tell it.
God works in mysterious ways. Pastor Jerry talked about Joseph that night in the service. Like Joseph, God used the dire circumstances of my mother’s young life and turned it into something beautiful in the long run. God planned it all for good.
So death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The tremendous impact of a life lived well for Christ that even at death can bring Glory to His Name.
I can just hear Jesus say to her, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Welcome Home!”
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteYes our families have met. We practically grew up in the pews of Manila Bethel Temple but transferred to another church when I was in high school. If my memory serves me well, your father is Brother Pete.
Thanks for your prayers and regards to your family.
Eloisa (Elsie) Bonifacio-Celiz
Marie, and sisters Claire and Ellen,
ReplyDeleteYou and your Mom are always special in My heart...you know we were almost related but But God is good to give us those good memories... Great Testimony of your mom and May God's goodness and Blessings be upon you and your sister's and kid's tooo GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
To my sister Elsie, that was a very nice message. It brought tears in my eyes because I missed her so much. Because of the big faith they both have, Nanay and Tatay, we've learned a lot from them from being a good example, for the upbringing, the moral values and many more. Tatay's love for her is eternal and I know why. He was the best mom to me regardless of the headaches I've given her growing up. She will always be a part of me.
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