SHARING CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

BY ALFONSO B. BINAY-AN JR.

IN 1986, an informal group of Christian Scientists was organized in the mountains of Banayakeo, Poblacion, Atok, Benguet, Philippines. (Christian Science had already been established there in the 1930s, but there was no organized church.) Ever since our Christian Science group was established, we have been growing, and we've experienced many healings through studying Christian Science. We are sharing with others, demonstrating healing in our daily lives, and appreciating all that Mary Baker Eddy did.

We are a small group but we study our Christian Science Bible Lessons every day, and we gather as one family during Sunday. We have a Wednesday testimony meeting once a month. In 2008, we began a Sunday School for children.

I want to share with you why I became a Christian Scientist. My mother is a Christian Scientist, and my father is pagan. But we are a peaceful family. When I was a child and had headaches and toothaches, my mother would pray for me, and I really felt instant healing. She was always telling me that God is not sick, therefore I could not be sick. God made me in His image and likeness. I never tasted or took medicine and never had a medical checkup, because I had healings through prayer instead.

When I was ten, I criticized Christian Science and said to my mother that it was not true religion, but false. Then, I went to another denomination called "Born Again" for two years, but was not content with their teachings. So I stopped going to that church and didn't go to any other denomination. I began drinking liquor and smoking with some of my relatives for a year.

But when I was 14, my thought changed and I decided I wanted to study Christian Science again. So then I began to read some things about Mary Baker Eddy's life. This time I was really inspired with her life, and I found out that Christian Science is true. I started to read the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and liked what it said on the first page of the Preface, "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings" (p. vii).

I was so excited to read that book sincerely, and step by step the more I understood, the more I learned through this deep study. I really felt the healing power of God. My life was changed, and I felt that I was "born again" because my mind was changed spiritually. I was healed of old beliefs about myself, and I overcame my fear, doubt, hate, and pride. The habits of drinking and smoking stopped. I always kept on thinking that I was the image and likeness of God. I reflected the qualities of purity, love, and joy, and was learning more and more that God loves me and makes me perfect, whole, and well.

Christ Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:36). It was in Christian Science where I found the truth that makes free. Christian Science teaches us how to heal, how to pray, how to overcome obstacles, and how to love one another. It also teaches us about the relationship between God and man, and how to live spiritually.

When I was 15, I served as a First Reader and also helped in the Sunday School for two years in our informal group.... am also sharing the Christian Science periodicals with my classmates in school, and they love them.

When I was 15, I served as a First Reader and also helped in the Sunday School for two years in our informal group. After our service, we would stay around and talk together. My desire was always to bring healing to others because I love to help others. Soon, some of the members in our group asked me to help them through prayer, and I was so glad to pray for them. They reported that they were healed.

Even though I was (and still am) in school, many were calling and asking for help, and I was always glad to pray and share some ideas. And then I would hear more reports of healing.

I'm so happy about this. My desire to help others is being met, and as it says in Science and Health, "Desire is prayer; ..." (p. 1). I learned that the way to heal is to love, love, love. This is something Mary Baker Eddy once said to a class she was teaching (see Sue Harper Mims, We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, p. 134). Whatever we learn in Christian Science, we must put it into practice and share, because "the vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love" (Science and Health, p. 113).

I am also sharing the Christian Science periodicals with my classmates in school, and they love them. Some of my classmates are deciding to become Christian Scientists.

When I read my Bible Lesson every day, I feel peace, joy, and love. Even through many trials, my studies in Christian Science have shown me how to overcome them.

Now when I pray, I say, "Thank you, God, that You made us all spiritual as Your image and likeness and perfect. Thank you, God, for enabling me to see Your children the way You do, instead of seeing the mortal view. Thank you, God, for everything. CSS

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