By Aimee Alianza A story... which had to be written, created, and directed by a master author. A story painted with grace, and riddled with suspense. One that cuts with deep pain, but carries great joy. A story written as if to classical music which changes tempo and notes, yet as a whole, brings a piece of heaven to earth. And then...CLUNK! I found myself plopped right in the middle. I am a 20 year old girl who has found herself amidst a storyline that has been going on way before my life began. Some of you may know my family’s long history in the Philippines. Dating back to World World II, when my grandpa escaped on the last submarine headed to America as a young boy. But God wasn’t quite finished with the Alianza name in the Philippines. The Lord brought my grandpa and his family back to that very same island he had escaped, all those years ago. From there, for years and years the Lord used them to be the hands and feet of Christ to a remote indigenous tribe on the island, called the Ati. Bringing the good news and freedom of Jesus, as well as meeting practical needs- from medical help, to creating the written language of the people. My grandma was the first white person these people had ever seen! My grandpa and his family moved back to the states once my dad was college age. But AGAIN, the Lord was not done with the Alianzas! As my dad got married and started a family stateside, the love for the tribe and nation did not waiver. In the early 2000s, my parents started a nonprofit organization with hopes to continue to represent Jesus in a community as well and provide practical help. This is where I come in!!! I remember when I was 4 years old, the first time my parents took me to the Philippines. I absolutely fell in love. Fell in love with the people, the culture, and God’s beauty represented there. Ever since then, the Philippines has been my biggest focus and love. And ONCE AGAIN, God was stirring up another generation of the Alianza name that was drawn to the Philippines, and more specifically, this small little tribe. I’ve known for a long time that one day I would probably be headed to the Philippines for a long period of time. I guess I just never realized it would be when I’m still so young! But this last year especially, the Lord has been pushing me, and molding me, and jealously fighting for me in preparation for what is to come. So with that said, I’m headed to the Philippines late January!!! God has been orchestrating a way for me to use my training the last 2 years in Youth With A Mission, and take it to the Philippines with the dream of using that platform to help raise up the tribal people my family has had such a long history with. It seems my two worlds are colliding! And I couldn’t be more excited! The basic breakdown is this, I'll be staying on a YWAM base in the capital of the Philippines, as the outreach coordinator. So basically in charge of 3-8 YWAM mission trip teams coming through each quarter. This means that I will be coordinating outreaches and in contact with christians all throughout the Philippines and potentially traveling to different islands with the teams. I'll also be on the ground as a representative of indigenous people of the Philippines. Because of my family background, YWAM wants me to be the voice for those who are underprivileged and overlooked, which is often the native tribal people. The long term dream is to create a discipleship program that the indigenous people can train in, then be sent back out into their own communities to be the light of Christ among their own people! This is all my heart has wanted since I can remember. That the native people would know first and foremost, their identity in the Lord. That they could walk in confidence through persecution and hardship, knowing the Lord’s faithfulness and nearness. That they would get the chance to see God’s hand in their lives, and then help others see it too! I believe wholeheartedly in the power of Christ and what He can do through us! We are broken vessels who consistently need his grace, yet he uses our lives in miraculous ways! He has used my family name in the Philippines for generations, simply because they were obedient. And that is my heart’s desire, to be obedient to the Lord. And it just so happens he’s leading me back to a nation my heart adores!!! Thank you, thank you for your constant support to my family throughout the years! Thank you for walking in obedience to the Lord! Each of us are crucial in God’s master plan! -Aimee Alianza
Partner with Aimee!CJ Ministries would like to invite you to donate to Aimee Alianza's upcoming year in the Philippines with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). Thank you for partnering with her in bringing the tangible love and good news of Jesus to indigenous tribes in the Philippines!
2 Comments
Amber Hunter Jesse
11/25/2019 01:00:23 pm
A powerful story indeed! I'm so encouraged to see how you've honored your family's legacy among the Ati, and how you are continuing that legacy of love! I'm excited to see how the story continues to unfold. Thanks for sharing, Aimee!
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Belinda
2/18/2023 05:57:21 pm
Dear Aimee, I met your grandparents, dad, Aunt Carla, and Emma in the 1970s at my grandma's house. (Her name was Hazel.) Emma and I became friends while playing Cat's Cradle, and we corresponded for several years after she went back home. I looked in my old photo album and found several pictures of Emma that she sent in her letters over the years. We lost contact after she got married.
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