Dawn of Hope

CHAPTER 1. DAWN OF HOPE By: Kitty Lanzarrote This story focuses on a single character who is suffering from an illness. All of his loved ones have left him, leaving him completely alone. The only source of strength for him is witnessing the dawn by the seashore. Every day, I go to the seashore to witness the first light of dawn because, in some way, I want to catch a glimpse of the last light before nightfall in my life. My name is Laura, and I will be 26 years old tomorrow. I am all alone in this life because my parents passed away when I was only five years old. They both succumbed to severe illnesses—my mother had stage 4 cervical cancer, and my father had a sudden heart attack while working in the fields. Even though I wanted to take them to the hospital for treatment, I was just a child with no means and no money, so I could do nothing but cry beside them as they suffered from their ailments until they took their last breath. Twenty years have passed since they left, but to this day, I still grieve for them, and the pain remains deep in my heart. I am utterly alone, with no friends or relatives to turn to. The only way I survive is by selling vegetables and scavenging. I envy other children when their birthdays come around because they have parties, friends who greet them, and gifts. But every year on my birthday, it is the saddest and most painful day of all because it is the day my loved ones died. During Christmas and New Year, while my neighbors are celebrating, I am at home, alone, with no one to talk to and nothing to eat. I want to be angry at God and scream at Him, asking why out of all the people in the world, He chose my family and me to suffer this way. I wouldn’t mind if we weren’t rich, as long as I had a complete and happy family. I’ve tried to end my life several times, but something always stops me. Why can’t I do it? Last year, I started to feel weak, and my head was constantly aching. Eventually, I was taken to the hospital because my body could no longer cope. There, the doctors discovered that I had stage 4 brain cancer. I didn’t fully understand what the doctor was saying, but his final words were enough to make my tears flow uncontrollably, and my knees trembled as if I were a candle about to be extinguished, needing only a puff of wind to snuff out my flame. Life seems like a cruel and challenging game, filled with endless problems that bring overwhelming sorrow, making my once colorful world seem like it has faded away. I went to the seashore at dawn, and as I awaited the break of day, I noticed a bottle floating in the water with a piece of paper inside. I didn’t know where it came from, but I quickly picked it up, opened it, and read what was written. As I read the letter, my eyes widened, I felt weak, and I sat down, trembling: My Dear Child, I always watch over you, whether at the break of dawn or as the sun sets. I listen to you constantly, and I see every tear that falls from your eyes. My dear Child, I am always by your side, listening to you. I know that you are angry and resentful towards Me, but I have never left you, and I have never abandoned you. If you think that no one loves you, know that with every second and every minute that your heart beats, with every breath you take, and with every time you wake up and fall asleep, whether you cry or laugh, I am always right there beside you. I have never left you. I hear every pain you go through, and I am always there to hold you back when you are about to do something harmful in your life. Sometimes, my child, when I see that you can no longer carry on, without you even realizing it, I am the one carrying you in My arms. And sometimes, when the weight of your burdens becomes too much, I am there, embracing you, even if you don’t notice it. My child, I know you are tired and deeply hurt, but allow Me to heal all the pain and wounds you carry. My child, your value to Me has never changed, and neither has My love for you. So let Me back into your heart and love Me again. With Love, God Tears streamed down my face endlessly after reading the letter, and I felt a cold breeze, as if someone was embracing me. I wanted to scream, I wanted to let out all my emotions, but the heavy burden I was carrying began to feel lighter and lighter. I couldn't find the words to say, but I could feel His love for me as I watched the morning light appear. Even though I had wanted to end my life, feeling like there was no more color in it because everyone I loved had left me—no family, not even a friend to lean on—when I read that letter, which I have no idea where it came from, suddenly a bottle appeared with a piece of paper inside. I don’t know where or who it came from, but when I read it, I found hope. I found that someone still loves me behind my flaws. I need to start and fix my life with new hope, together with Him. And here I realized, behind the dawn, He was there all along, listening to me and watching over me. He never left me, He never forsake me even until the sun set. CHAPTER 2. THIS IS MY STORY By: Kitty Lanzarrote The story is a personal testimony from a leader who, despite being known for her bravery, strength, and cheerfulness, faced a profound struggle with depression. It describes her dedication to their responsibilities, their internal battles with fatigue and the desire to give up, and their ultimate experience of divine support and reassurance. Through a period of intense emotional and mental hardship, the leader found solace in their faith, experiencing a powerful reminder of the sufficiency of divine grace and the unwavering presence of the Lord. The narrative highlights the human side of leadership and the transformative power of spiritual comfort in times of deep personal crisis. I am a leader known to many: brave, strong, and cheerful. I will do everything to avoid neglecting any task. Whether it's youth activity, prayer meetings, missions, or Sunday services, I am always here. I don’t lag behind or absent; I am always active in all activities. Even when tired from work and with many papers to finish, I have never complained, cried, or felt exhausted because, as long as the Lord is with me, I can endure all difficulties and fatigue. Sometimes, I get scolded, but that’s inevitable. I am not a perfect leader and make mistakes sometimes. There are things I can't do because I also have weaknesses. Happy, noisy, brave, and strong—that’s how they know me. But one day, and for several months, I became quiet, feeling pain, hurt, and heaviness. The leader you thought was strong, noisy, and brave experienced depression and even reached the point of wanting to end his life, just like Elijah. I experienced going on missions alone, even when I was shattered, sick, and burdened. I needed to attend missions because there were souls waiting and I couldn’t neglect them. Many times, the word 'give up' crossed my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Many times, I said 'I am tired' with my mouth, but I couldn’t stop and leave the church. One night, I wandered around Downtown, crying and not knowing where to go, alone and with no one to talk to. As I walked, my eyes continued to weep. "Lord, I am tired of the criticisms and humiliations," were the words I uttered. I went home, but my eyes still wouldn’t stop crying. Then I heard a voice that I didn’t know where it came from. When I heard it, I cried even harder. “My child, My grace is sufficient,” were words I will never forget. Words that reminded me I had no reason to abandon Him, no reason to be exhausted, no reason to stop even when it’s heavy, no reason to blame Him, and no reason to leave His presence. Despite everything I went through, He did not forsake me. Despite everything I went through, He did not forget me. He became my support and refuge, and I experienced His love. Chapter Three Im not the Favorite The story "I'm Not the Favorite" is a personal reflection of a person’s spiritual journey, struggles with self-worth, and the feeling of being overlooked in church ministry. The narrator shares how, despite dedicating themselves to the Lord at a young age and participating actively in church, they often feel left out and underappreciated compared to others who are more visibly talented or recognized. They grapple with feelings of jealousy, rejection, and self-doubt but ultimately find comfort and inspiration in the biblical story of Joseph, who, despite being rejected by his brothers, was eventually used by God in a powerful way. The narrator resolves to remain faithful, trusting that in God's timing, their purpose and season will come, even if they are not currently in the spotlight. The story highlights themes of faith, patience, humility, forgiveness, and perseverance in the face of rejection. Here is the corrected and translated version of the text: --- At fourteen years old, I started drawing closer to the Lord. I was baptized in the Name of Jesus, and a little over a year later, I received the Holy Spirit. I dreamed that one day the Lord would use me in His ministry—whether in music, preaching, emceeing, missions, or wherever I could be of help. I knew I had no talent in music or singing, but I tried anyway, though I didn’t last long in that ministry. All my friends in the church had their own skills and talents, while I struggled even with teaching. But I continued, never leaving the presence of the Lord, though sometimes I would ask myself, “Do I have any purpose?” Whenever there were events or occasions at church, I was never the one they sought out. Often, I was only given responsibilities when others were unavailable. At times, I would feel jealous of my fellow brothers and sisters, who, even if they didn’t fellowship or hadn’t attended in months because they were busy with school, home, or work, were still the ones called upon for events because of their talents and skills. Meanwhile, I was always there, hoping for the chance to be used in ministry, but it seemed I wasn’t needed. In my mind, I thought, “Maybe it’s just not God’s will.” Sometimes I wonder, “What if I, too, stopped being active or attending church? Would they even look for me?” But even though that thought crosses my mind, I can’t bring myself to backslide because I know how difficult it would be for me to return—not because of the Lord, for I know that He is always good no matter what—but because of the people at church. I wouldn’t know if they would still accept me. Eleven years ago, I experienced not going to church because I was hurt and had a misunderstanding with a fellow member. Not one person checked on me or visited. After several months, I decided to return on my own, though I didn’t understand why at the time. All I knew was that I felt the Lord calling me back. Because of that, I’m afraid to leave the church again, because if I do, I wonder, "Will there be anything to come back to?" I know I’m not talented or gifted, and I just pray that the Lord will use me somehow. Sometimes I feel envious of my brothers and sisters, who, even if they don’t attend services or fellowships regularly, are still sought after because of their gifts and talents. Meanwhile, I attend prayer meetings, Sunday services, and missions, always trying to find ways to be present at every church event, but I am not the one they need. I don’t know—I just ask myself, “Do they not want me?” But then I remember Joseph. No matter what obstacles came his way, and no matter how much his brothers disliked him, the day came when God made a way for him to be used. That’s what I’ve realized—I just need to wait for my season. When it’s your season, no matter how many people try to stop you, God will lift you up. But just like Joseph, even when God gives you a position, you still need Judah. You need to be broken so that you can learn to forgive, no matter how painful the experiences with your brothers and sisters may be. Even though I’m hurting, I have to understand the situation. I may not be the one they need or their favorite, but no matter how painful it is, I have no reason to leave the Lord. Because I don't deserve appreciation if I can't handle rejection. I’ll just wait for my season.