By: Aaron Beltran
The question, “How was your mission year?” is often followed by the question, “How did you
see God?” These questions have always been difficult for me to answer because I simply have
too much to say. So many memories, experiences and emotions flood my brain. I could talk
about almost losing my foot, the students I met or the guys who became my brothers on the
island.
Even now, as I think back to my year on the island of Kosrae, a state within the Federated States
of Micronesia, I realize there are still things I am only beginning to understand. There are
moments and conversations that I didn’t fully comprehend at the time that I now realize had a
great impact on me. But if I had to tell you what had the biggest impact, I would tell you it was
an older Filipino couple. Their names were Manny and Betty De Guzman.
No number of conversations with previous student missionaries can prepare you for when you
step off the plane at your location and see your new home for the next 10 to 12 months. The
school that I taught at had three full-time teachers, one of which was Betty, and six student
missionaries. The church consisted of Manny, who was the pastor, and five consistent members.
It was a bit overwhelming realizing that this was my new family for the next 10 months. I think
that one of the biggest challenges that I faced was loneliness. I was in a completely new location
with people I had never met, trying to relate to a culture different from everything I grew up
knowing.
I praise God because, in the midst of all the emotions and chaos, I had Manny and Betty.
Manny and Betty were some of the most Christlike people I’ve ever met in my entire life. They
embodied what it meant to be a missionary. It was not only in the sense that they were constantly
evangelizing or trying to give Bible studies, but that they loved.
Manny and Betty gave up their home and life back in the Philippines to be missionaries in
Kosrae. They have been there for over 25 years and have seen a generation grow up on that
island. From the moment we arrived, they treated all of us like sons and daughters. The feeling of
being alone and missing home was soothed by Manny’s crazy stories of when he was younger
and by the mountains of food that Betty would prepare for us each Sabbath.
One of my fondest memories was Thanksgiving dinner. The student mission team and I cooked
all the dishes that evening and invited Betty and Manny into our humble house. I may not
remember the conversations we had, but laughter, love and joy are what made it so memorable.
On my mission year, God allowed me to experience many miracles. I saw things that could have
only been God working. Above all those things, the place where I experienced God the most was
through the love of my Uncle Manny and my Auntie Betty.
