The following is our encounter and our experience which unfolded during the Holy Week and the Divine Mercy Novena. Although we were initially hesitant to share our story, we want to give Glory to God the Father. In mid-March 2023, our son, Jovial Bong, who is in his final semester diploma course informed us that the first payment for his degree course was due in one week’s time instead of a later date in September 2023.
It happened that we were attending the ordination of Fr Raymond Jeremiah and Fr Desmond Jansen in St Anne’s on 28 th March, so by God’s grace we just about beat the 5pm deadline for payment on that day!
We also learnt that the college was launching its first Student Exchange Program post-Covid-19 – a fully funded program for only ONE successful candidate in Krakow, Poland! We were aware that a large number of students would be applying and that the competition for success was very intense.
We prayed fervently to the Divine Mercy, joining in the novena and surrendering to the will of God. Jovial had his first interview on the 6th day of the Novena – “We pray for all the meek and the children”. Our excitement grew when he was shortlisted for the 2 nd interview – I mean, Wow!!! Poland – Krakow, Warsaw, Divine Mercy Sanctuary!!!
When I shared the news with Fr Michael, he said confidently, “Don’t worry Johnny, he will get it!”
Then late at night on Friday the 14th of April, we received the wonderful news from our son – “I have been selected for the Poland program!”
As parents, this was the best gift we had received especially during the Divine Mercy week. The joy of thanksgiving overflowed in our home that night. As scripture says, “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.
We do pray that our testimony will bring more people to encounter God, the Father through the Divine Mercy messages. ‘The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is My desire to give much, very much’. St Faustina Diary, 1578.