Edgar Dela Cruz lived for many years in Manila, Philippines without a home, without work, and without a way to provide for himself.
“When we were on the streets, life was really hard—if we had nothing to eat, I ended up stealing,” he says. Sometimes, he recalls, he and others living without a home were arrested, despite not breaking any laws.
Through it all, he held on to an unwavering hope that God would lead him to a brighter tomorrow.
“We had nothing to hold on to except the Word of God,” Edgar shares. “That is what we held on to, believing that our lives would get better and we had nothing to fear.”
By the grace of God, his life was about to flourish beyond what he could have ever imagined.
Newfound opportunity and passion
One day, two pastors approached Edgar. They told him about the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), HOPE’s partner in the Philippines. Edgar gained a job and a community rooted in faith! At first, he moved across the Philippines helping to construct various buildings for CCT. However, God soon opened the door for Edgar to use his talents another way. “CCT gave me many opportunities—especially for change—and they provided us with a better way of living.”
As Edgar moved across the Philippines, he discovered he had a passion and talent for cooking. Eventually, he was able to refine his skills through training at CCT. He even returned to cook at some of the very buildings he helped to construct—homecare centers for people in need. “Cooking has also become my passion. When I was in CCT, there were many talented cooks with us, from whom I learned and honed my skills,” Edgar reflects.
Edgar began to dream even further, and he soon joined a CCT savings group, a group of likeminded individuals who come together to worship, pray, and support one another while growing their financial knowledge. This equipped Edgar with the loan he needed to open his own sari-sari (convenience) store! He now sells various goods to his community to support his wife, son, and mother, with plans of opening a restaurant in the future.
Sharing God’s abundance
And Edgar’s story doesn’t stop here—he continues to demonstrate thoughtfulness and generosity to those around him.
That is really what’s important: Even if you have a little for yourself, share your blessings.
Edgar has done exactly that, helping two relatives finish their education degrees. Additionally, he noticed that many of his neighbors have had difficulties in borrowing money, as loans often come with high interest rates in the Philippines. Edgar found his own solution: “I offered to lend my money, if I have a spare, to them with no interest—helping them as long as they return whatever amount they borrowed.”
Today, Edgar and his family continue to thank God in all circumstances:
As for us, my only dream is that we never forget the Lord. May we never turn away from Him. For whatever our needs may be, He is the one who supports us in everything, and nothing is impossible with Him.
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Featured in header image: Edgar cooking in his kitchen, Philippines
