Even after several surgeries the doctor gave my family not much hope. But, I kept fighting within myself that I would not give in to what was happening to me. I knew that God had been dealing with me in regards to serving him, but, I just was not ready to give up my lifestyle to follow Him.

Bishop Stewart came out a few times and prayed the prayer of Faith over me, that God's Will would be done. All I know is, that the Devil meant it for harm, but God turned it into good and He's not done with me yet.

The doctors final diagnosis of me was that I would be a vegetable and would never see.

On Mother's Day May 10, 1998 I went to Emmanuel Temple to visit with Sister Brenda (who now is my Fiancйe). All I recall was when after altar call was made I said, "Take me to the water. I want to be baptized." I was baptized in Jesus' Name and three days later Jesus filled me with the gift of the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts 2:38. Yes, this experience is still going on today!

I am a miracle and there is more to my story and in due time it will be "soup"... "It's not soup yet," as Sister O'neal would testify."

(Editor's Note: We will interject Sis. O'Neal's testimony at a later date, for the reader to fully comprehend Fernando's statement.)

I'm grateful to God for blessing me with Sister Brenda, the woman of my dreams, who left me to follow Jesus Christ and she not once looked back, but held me up in prayer. Prayer works! Although it took seven long years, she kept believing God for me and I am so glad she did. I'm so glad I found it out, I found it out in time.

Some wonder why I praise Him...

You don't know like I know what the Lord has done for me. You can not tell it like I can tell it ---what the Lord has done for me.
You can't make me doubt Him (JESUS) I'm learning too much about him.
I'm in it ---to win it !

Bro. Fernando married Sister Brenda at Emmanuel Temple Apostolic, July 24, 1999.