A Story of Community and Belonging
Meet Aica Quinoviva, an Adventist Young Professionals team member who is from the Philippines but currently serving as a voluntary missionary in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Aica is currently volunteering with AYP as a digital marketing manager. Outside of AYP, she is also an accountant and a teacher at the church school in Majuro. Growing up in a Seventh-day Adventist household, her faith journey started when she was young, but it became more personal as real challenges in life began to surface. She became more dependent on God, knowing that she needed to trust Him more everyday.
Life can have moments of complete overwhelm; she is no stranger to that. At some points, she found life to be overwhelming to where mentally, emotionally, and physically, it felt like she was carrying many heavy things at once. She prefers to always hold on to God’s promise in Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” That Bible verse became her life verse. She realized that God will always be with her in all seasons of her life, especially when things are heavy.
Finding a community with AYP
Aica became involved with AYP because she was looking for a community where Adventist young adults could foster spiritual growth and support one another. It was her prayer to volunteer and to be an instrument in any way that she could, and Adventist Young Professionals gave her that opportunity. When she became a part of the AYP digital marketing team, she felt like she gained a family from afar. With the director, Ben, who supported and guided her with patience and understanding, and being with a team of young servants of God, Aica has found a community that helped her strengthen her faith and reminded her that she was not walking this journey alone.
There have been numerous moments with AYP that impacted her. She thanks God for using President Tim to found Adventist Young Professionals. She tells us, “Even though I’m connected with the team virtually, I’m so blessed with their prayers, support, encouragement, and understanding. The friendship, bond, and connection we have have helped me through.” Adventist Young Professionals has shown her how powerful it is when young professionals commit their gifts to God.
Current prayers and words of encouragement
Right now, Aica prays that God will lead her to trust Him more deeply. She has entrusted everything to Him. She prays to continually serve Him faithfully and to walk with Him wherever He may lead. Aica wants to tell AYP these words: “So, to every young professional, you don’t have to be strong all the time. God doesn’t expect you to carry everything on your own. God wants you to trust Him.” She reiterates the verse that has been so meaningful in her life: Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
To other young adults who wish to grow closer to Jesus, Aica gives the following words of encouragement: “No matter what season you are in right now, God is with you. God is helping you, and God is holding you up. Keep going, and keep trusting in Him.”
Leave a Response