I am Brother Brian Bustamante from one of the choirs in the Church at the Local of Marikina, the Zion Chamber Singers. Our group is composed of more than 25 singers. Here, we are continuously molded and trained to develop our talent in a cappella singing, as well as in various other forms of group singing. Through this fellowship, I have experienced the joy of serving and the care we show for one another—just like a family.
God’s Faithfulness in the Midst of Trials
There was a time I asked myself, “How faithful is God to His promises?” and “How good is He despite human weaknesses?” Today, through my testimony, I can confidently say: God is faithful. He never fails to fulfill His promises, and His love is made real through the compassion of the Church, especially through their prayers and unwavering support.
I am Brother Brian Bustamante, a proud member of the Zion Chamber Singers, a group of over 25 members trained in a cappella and choral singing. Through this ministry, not only did I grow in my service to the Lord, but I also found joy and fellowship, gaining a spiritual family bonded by worship.
In 2015, I met my wife, Sister Jocelle Ann, while we were both serving in Marikina. Four years later, we got married, and God blessed us with two children: Gabriel Zion and Shiloah Eloise. But as we joyfully served God together as a family, we encountered a severe and unexpected trial—one that would stretch our faith and trust in Him like never before.
A Trial That Tested Our Faith
During the fifth month of my wife’s pregnancy, we began to notice something unusual. Although she was gaining weight, the baby didn’t appear to be growing. Worried, we sought medical help and underwent a series of tests. The results revealed that blood clots had formed in her placenta, a serious condition that posed high risks for the baby and could lead to premature delivery.
Then came the devastating news—at 24 weeks, the doctors discovered that our baby was no longer receiving oxygen to the brain.
My heart was overwhelmed. I turned to God and prayed with everything I had:
“Lord, I will be faithful in serving You—please don’t abandon my family.”
That became my daily prayer, the promise I clung to.
Despite the heartache, I continued serving in the Zion Chamber Singers. Through every hardship, the love and concern of the brethren in the faith gave us strength. They never failed to pray and encourage us.
On November 19, our daughter Shiloah was born prematurely. Though she had several complications, God protected both mother and child—Sister Jocelle recovered safely, and Shiloah survived despite the odds.
The Church’s Compassionate Support
As we stayed in the hospital, our medical bills began to pile up, and discouragement tried to settle in. But I refused to lose hope. I reached out to Ptr. Let Pascual, our Cluster Head in Concepcion Cluster, for counsel and prayer.
What followed brought me to tears—support from different local churches began pouring in. A fundraiser was organized by my wife’s sister and the brethren in the Concepcion Cluster. The overwhelming help we received reminded me that the Church is truly a family, always ready to stand with its members.
God’s Promises Never Fail
Physically and emotionally drained, I couldn’t help but ask God:
“Why us, Lord? We are not wealthy. Why are we going through this?”
But then I remembered the words of my father-in-law:
“Trials come and go. Don’t give in. Our faith is being tested. We must not give up. God is faithful.”
On December 26, after weeks in the NICU, Baby Shiloah was finally discharged. She had grown from just 900 grams to 1.2 kilograms. I finally held her in my arms for the first time—and in that moment, all my pain turned into indescribable joy.
We welcomed the New Year together as a family. Though Shiloah still has minor health concerns, including her eyesight, we continue to pray and believe for her complete healing, trusting that God will finish what He has started.
A Testament to God’s Unfailing Love
During the Year-End Service in Marikina, I was given the chance to share my testimony. To my great blessing, I was also able to speak personally with our beloved Apostle, Jonathan S. Ferriol. He offered heartfelt compassion and shared how he had also gone through a similar trial with his firstborn. Before parting, he prayed for me and my family—and in that moment, I truly felt the deep love and care of our leader and of the Church.
A Living Proof of God’s Faithfulness
To this day, we continue to hold on to God’s promise. We pray for Baby Shiloah’s healing and trust that the Lord will perfect His work in her life.
“God will never give us a trial we cannot bear.”
This experience has drawn us even closer to God. We’ve learned that in moments of darkness, prayer is our strongest weapon, and the Church is our spiritual refuge. We are never alone—our brethren, united in faith, are always ready to support and uplift.
If you are facing trials or sickness, I encourage you to pray and trust in the Lord. He is the Healer, the Provider, and the ever-faithful God who never turns away from His children.