Santi 的见证
2024年12月21日，我们教会在华人超市门口举牌传福音时，
我的名字是 Santiago Lalis，朋友们叫我 Santi。
我五岁时就已经开始帮忙下田，
在我努力把握毕业时作为毕业致词代表（
我记得，在那个贫穷的小村庄成长时，因为家境实在太差，
基督信仰与宗教之间有着极大的区别。
- 问题不在于宗教，而在于耶稣基督！
- 人若不是从水和圣灵生的，就不能进神的国（约3:5）！
- 1989年，
我在阿肯色州小石城参加葛培理布道大会时回应了呼召，从那时起， 我相信我成为了一位“重生得救的基督徒”！
我在菲律宾是一名注册律师，后来移民到美国，
后来我转为全职做房地产，同时攻读护理专业，
如今我已经81岁了。我极度自豪地夸耀我的全能神，
愿读者们能从我经历的点滴中得着一点启发。
每日灵修 ——Santi Lalis，2025年4月6日
以下是一些我们每天都可以背诵、默想并在生活中实践的经文：
- 箴言3:5-6：这节经文鼓励我们完全依靠上帝的智慧和引导，
而不是依靠自己的聪明，无论在生活的哪个方面。 - 以赛亚书41:10：这节经文给我们带来安慰和确据，提醒我们：
神总是在我们遭遇困难时扶持我们！ - 诗篇23篇：这段经文美丽地表达了神的看顾和供应，
把祂描绘成牧人，引导和保护祂的羊群。建议你慢慢地读， 并默想其中的意象与应许。 - 约翰福音3:16：这是所有基督徒的“根基经文”，
强调神的爱以及藉着信靠耶稣基督才能得着的救恩。 - 马太福音11:28：这节经文为正在受苦的人带来安慰，
指出唯有在耶稣基督里，我们才能找到真正的安息。 - 腓立比书4:6-7：这一段经文的重点包括：
- 1）用祷告取代恐惧与焦虑：当我们忧虑时，
应当祷告并向神陈明我们的需要；（2）神的平安会保守我们： 神的平安是一种能力，能够保守信徒的心怀意念；（3） 信靠基督是关键： 我们的平安来源于我们与耶稣基督之间的信心关系。 - 罗马书8:28：这节经文确保我们，即便在苦难中，
神仍为爱祂的人预备最好的。 我们必须通过顺服神的话语并让自己的意愿与神的旨意对齐， 才能真正经历这应许的丰满。 - 约书亚记1:9：这节经文鼓励我们要刚强壮胆，
因为无论我们做什么，去到哪里，神都与我们同在！ 愿你们大家都度过一个蒙福的日子！愿我们全能的神一直引导、 保守并赐福我们每一个人！
我们教会将于4月19日（周六）
Santi’s Testimony
“My name is Santiago Lalis, but my friends call me Santi. I was born of the 11 siblings of one of the poorest families in one of the remotest areas in Southern Philippines. My parents were farmers (sharecroppers). My father was orphaned from an early age. He and his 2 siblings grew up with relatives who never sent them to school. My mother grew up taking care of a blind mother who did not have resources to send her to school either. My parents were denied inheritance from both sides. My parents had to buy 1/2 acre of barren land from my mother’s uncle so we could build a little hut and to have a little space for our animals to roam around. At age 5, I was already helping in the field and at the same time trying to avail myself of the basic free public education offered in the community. I remember our family had a rough time growing up, we could hardly meet both ends meet. Despite of the hardship I encountered, however, through the help of our almighty God, I graduated on top of my class in 1958! But then, I could not enroll in high school because of extreme poverty! I had to stop 6 years trying to find help even to the extent of writing to our congressman but to no avail. And when I found out the inherent impossibility, I had to run away to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines and ended up washing dishes in a marketplace little restaurant that caters food for early shoppers. I was able to enroll at Manila high night school, but I had to wash dishes for 15 hours. My high school journey was even tougher, I could not read books or use the library because of the limited time. I had to memorize everything the teachers taught inside the classroom to stay combative! And you what? It worked for me! Our almighty God let me graduate again on top of my class in 1968! After graduating as a Valedictorian, I was free to enroll in any university of my choice and the rest was my story!
In my quest to enjoy the free educational opportunities offered to me when I graduated Valedictorian, I was focused on serious studies without knowing that I did not enjoy having a girlfriend. My best friend in the college of law who was a Prosecutor in the city of Manila at the time, introduced me to the cousin of his wife named Rose who happened to be a Registered Nurse recruited by Baptist Medical Center in 1972, who was still single at the time. We exchanged communication by letters and eventually got married in Manila when we met for this first time, during her vacation to the Philippines in 1985! When she came back to the States, she petitioned me and 6 months later I joined her in Arkansas! Our marriage happened without a long courtship! Both of us didn’t plan about it! To me this is another miracle from God! My wife and I don’t have any children, but we are blessed to have a lot of nephews and nieces, some of them grew up in our house!
I remember, growing up in that tiny village, because of our extreme poverty, no one could expect that one of the 11 siblings could go to high school. But our almighty God is a God of Miracle! He can move mountains to show us His power! Who would ever think I could become a “Born Again Christian”? I thought all along I was already a good Christian and did not have to be “born again”, only to find out, among other things, that
1. There is a big difference between Christianity and religion.
2. That the issue is not religion but Jesus Christ!
And finally, 3. That unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he or she cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5)! I responded to the call of Evangelist Billy Graham during his crusade here in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989 and since then, I believe I have been a “Born Again Christian”!
I began my journey as a licensed lawyer in the Philippines before immigrating to the U.S., where I started working as a server at the former Holiday Inn West in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1986, I was honored to be voted as the First Employee of the year. At that time, I juggled three jobs: Waiter at Holiday Inn, Waiter at Little Rock Hilton, and Realtor in between shifts.
Later, I transitioned into real estate full-time while also attending nursing school. Eventually, I became a Registered Nurse at Baptist Medical Center. During this period, I was also named co-winner of the “My Everest” challenge for climbing thousands of steps—from ground to 10th floor and back—during my break times while on duty as a nurse. One special highlight: I had the opportunity to take a photo with the future 42nd President of the United States, who was then serving as Governor of Arkansas.
Now I am 81-year-old. I extremely boast my almighty God for navigating my life this far! It’s not about me, it’s all about Him! I have grown much by numbers but feel much richer and even much younger in heart and spirit! This is my story—an illustration of life watered by tears of sufferings and perseverance, a veritable saga of human survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. Summing it all up, my overcoming the hardships and successes both in schools and workplaces was designed and ordered by the Lord. I did not do it “my way” as I claimed before. It was all through God’s grace! May the readers be able to learn something of what I have been through. I am extremely grateful for all the adversities which have crossed my path for they have taught me tolerance, sympathy, self-control, perseverance, sagacity and all other virtues I might never have known!”
Thoughts of the Day—by Santi Lalis on 4/6, 2025
Some Bible Verses for all of us to Memorize, Meditate, and put into Practice all the days of our lives:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6: This verse encourages us to RELY SOLEY on GOD’S WISDOM and GUIDANCE, rather than on our own, in ALL ASPECTS of LIFE!
2. Isaiah 41:10: This verse offers comfort and assurance, reminding us that God is always present to support us, especially in times of troubles and difficulties!
3. Psalm 23: This passage is a beautiful expression of God’s care and provisions, describing Him as a shepherd who guides and protects His flocks! Consider reading this passage slowly and reflecting on the imagery and promises it contains!
4. John 3:16: This is a “foundational” verse for all Christians, emphasizing God’s love and the gift of salvation that can be obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ!
5. Matthew 11:28: This verse offers comfort and invites those who are struggling to find relief that can be found only in Jesus Christ!
6. Philippians 4:6-7: Key Takeaways on Philippians 4:6-7:
1) Replace fear and anxiety with prayer! Meaning, instead of dwelling on worries, we are encouraged to pray and express our needs to God!
2) God’s peace as a protector: God’s peace is presented as a powerful force that guards believers’ hearts and minds!
3) Trust in Christ: The assurance of our peace is tied up to our faith with Christ Jesus!
7. Romans 8:28: This verse assures believers that God is working for their good even in difficult circumstances! We need to be sure, however, that our love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His Word and aligning our will with God’s will in order to experience the fullness of this promise!
8. Joshua 1:9: This verse encourages us to be strong and courageous knowing that our God will be with us whatever we do, wherever we go! Have a blessed day everybody! May our almighty God guide, protect, and bless us all always!
This Saturday, April 19, our church will once again go to the entrance of the Chinese supermarket to hold gospel signs. We pray that the Lord will lead us to meet more brothers in Christ like Santi, so that we may encourage and serve one another. More importantly, we pray that the Lord would use us to proclaim and share His gospel with people from every nation and every people group. In the name of Christ, Amen!