I HAVE TRULY SEEN HIS FACE! by Guito Belza North C

I praise God for giving me this second life and another chance to be w/ you bros. and sis. And I would like to take this chance to proclaim to you- my Lord’s loving kindness- not only during my cardiac arrest last Feb 7, but also last year, and through the years going as far back as 30 years ago.

Guito Belza thankful for the blessing of Community

In 1980, after years of a worldly life, I said yes to an invitation for a Ligaya CLP and then for a community weekend. Three years after in 1983, the Community Administrator then was resigning. Fr. Herb invited me to take his place.

Although I had already a sense form the Lord to work full time, I had to confront several realities: first, After 10 yrs. of TV broadcasting career, I knew if I said yes- I’ll no longer be able to go back to my first love of TV broadcasting. second, As the Production Manager then of Channel 2 and at the same time directing several TV shows, this would mean a reduction in my income. And third, in the LNP office, there was no longer a position I can move up to.

But still I said yes and it was not an easy path after…but my Lord and His loving kindness had always  been there!

From 3 districts, the number of community members then was fast increasing. And our outreaches were starting and growing one after another. As Community Administrator, I had to work on streamlining and upgrading the office to support the leadership through all these growth and expansion. Concurrently as Community Head Servant, I had to help in the formation and support of the District Servants and their service teams as well as the Sounds and Technical Ministry, Ushers’ Team, Celebrations Committee and others. And to continue fostering personal relationship in a fast expanding community, we had to design and organize very participative  celebrations for the whole community including then, our big Ligaya Christmas party. With all these work, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

A year after I worked full time, I married Imma in 1984 and our family started to grow. Mary Grace was born, then  Daniel, Paul John and Vincent. AS the family grew and so too our expenses… but my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there!

As the years moved on, there were a lot more trials along the way: mid-life crisis caught on me and together w/ ongoing and rising financial requirements , family relationship difficulties, sicknesses… I began to harbor resentments towards the Lord. I cried out to Him: “I have served you all these years and had given up many things! Why?” And several times I would turn my back against him. But even at those times, He had always been there waiting for me to move closer back to Him. And several times I would just grasp back His hand and just held it tight. 

After 20 years of full time community work, I retired 7 years ago.

In June last year, I went to Bicol w/ my mother to plant organic vegetables on our small property. It was there I suffered my first heart attack and so I came back to Mla for consultations. My mother meanwhile broke her hip in Bicol and several months after, suffered another stroke. Her e in Manila, I was rushed to the Heart Center in August and underwent angioplasty. Then my son Paul John had Dengue and was hospitalized for 1 wk. And then Ondoy flooded the first floor of our house. But in all these difficulties, my lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you, my bros. and sis.

Last Feb 9, I was scheduled for an examination to be able to determine wether I really have to undergo a bypass. Then it happened. Two days before on Feb 7, I suffered cardiac arrest during FC3. Dr. Guia Tan’s email emphasized that the series of events after, were not coincidences but clearly showed that “God’s hand was in the pie.” Indeed, the Lord and His loving kindness had always been there- through you bros. and sis!

My Lord had always been there through our doctors at the FC3 who  revived me and through my Cardiologist Dr. Myla Supe, who arrived immediately and assisted the surgeons w/ my medical history and  through you, bros. and sis at the FC3, who provided a massive and immediate prayer cover and w/ many other brothers and sisters, who continued to pray through the night and the days after!     My Lord and His loving kindness had always been  there  through you, bros. and sis, who  consoled Imma and my children as they waited  hoping for a second chance for my life and through you and our youth who provided the much-needed blood supply.!     My Lord had always been  there through my coordinator Ali and PL- Rey, and other bros. and sis. who made all arrangements for discounts and loans to meet initial then succeeding hospital bill payments.

My Lord had always been  there  through you bros. and sis., who approved , organized and contributed to-the fund raising during the community conference from which the total collection was the exact hospital bill due in a few days.

My Lord and His loving kindness had always been there through you bros. and sis., who have continued to pray and share your limited resources. Indeed the Lord is well pleased w/ your sharing of your loaves and fish that He has multiplied it through a charitable institution.

After all these, I’m again face to face with hard realities: continous working on my livelihood projects to be able to meet remaining loans due to my operation as well as ongoing school and family needs. But deep in my renewed heart, I know that my Lord and His loving kindness will always be there!     From the bottom of my heart, I proclaim that through all of these trials, my Lord and His loving kindness had always been there, through you bros. and sis.! Through all of these, I have deeply felt the Lord and really experienced His Person; I have truly seen His face…in the love you have for me and my family!

- GUITO BELZA, North C

Editor’s Note:  This is the testimony that Guito Belza shared during the Good Friday Recollection, April 2, 2010.