I begin to write this amazing testimony of a sister in CHRIST, trying to choke back tears. Sis. Elizabeth Martines has traveled from Cebu to share her blessed testimony during the Friday overnight prayer meeting at the Central Church in Amoranto last week, October 3.
On the night of August 16, 2013, Sis. Elizabeth was on board the MV St. Thomas Aquinas, which was about to dock at the Cebu City port. At around 8 p.m., Sis. Elizabeth looked out to sea and noticed how tranquil it was. The water was clear, and she could feel her eager anticipation as in just a few minutes they would be docking. The passengers began the bustle of preparing their luggage, stuffing their belongings in bags, and gathering them at their feet.
The Accident on the Sea
Suddenly, they heard a loud banging noise, like an explosion. At first, Sis. Elizabeth thought it was the ship hitting the ground. But then she saw another ship, Sulpicio Express Cargo, in front of them. That was when she realized they had just collided with another ship! Immediately, power went out, and everything was dark. Their ship slowly tilted to one side and, in just a few minutes, began to sink. The passengers began to scream in fear and ran everywhere in total panic. The captain announced that they would abandon ship, and the crew distributed life vests in haste.
When, finally, Sis. Elizabeth found someone to help her get a life vest; the first two cabinets were already empty. On the third and last cabinet, she found a small one for kids. In desperation, she grabbed it and put it on. To her surprise, the kid’s life vest fit her! When she was finally ready to go to where she didn’t know, all the other passengers seemed to have gone elsewhere. In the place she found herself, no passengers were running, and there was some light. She held onto an iron bar to steady herself.
Sinking Ship
She saw the passengers plunge into the dark waters in a state of extreme panic. Some lost limbs in the process. But Sis. Elizabeth continued to hold fast onto the iron bar of the ship.
When the ship finally sank to the bottom of the sea, she went with it. At the depths, she cried out, “Hallelujah! Praise the LORD! My Dearest JESUS, forgive me! Please save me! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Over and over, she cried out to Dearest LORD. She had drunk a lot of seawater, but to her, it didn’t taste salty at all! Her neck and head ached from shouting to GOD for help and deliverance.
She saw lots of fish beneath the sea, and to her great surprise, she could breathe easily! For about 30 minutes, she was at the bottom of the sea. She believed the fishes were deafened by her loud praising and praying that they gathered at her feet and lifted her to the surface.
Another miracle! I think about Jonah as I write this most blessed testimony.
When she reached the surface, she just floated aimlessly, not knowing what to do. She was covered in grease from the oil spill. She also drank oil-contaminated water and this made her weak. She saw lifeless bodies blackened by grease floating around her. It was still after a few hours that they were finally rescued.
Sis. Elizabeth didn’t sustain any wounds or bruises from the tragedy. Dearest LORD JESUS CHRIST delivered her safe and sound.
Isaiah 43:1-4:
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
Hallelujah! To GOD be the glory!
