My name is Bro. Joe Bautista. My wife Cynthia and I have been married for over 39 years and we have 3 daughters. 3 grandsons and 2 grand daughters. We were dedicated in August 1999 at St. Anne's Church in Union City.
As many of you know, I had a triple bypass surgery in December 2008. My family and I were very thankful to God that the surgery and my long recovery went well. After about three months, I was able to go back to my old routine. I could drive on my own and see clients again. I lost weight, reduced my salt intake and started to exercise regularly. But a few months ago, I started to put on the weight again. Although I had reduced my salt intake and exercised regularly, apparently what I was doing was not enough to prevent weight gain.
I love sushi and I really enjoy the taste of fresh fish, sushi rice, soy sauce and wasabi. I never tire of eating it. I ate sushi once or twice a week. Sushi and Filipino dishes which were often rich in fat and salt, and always eaten with rice, were my downfall.
Two weeks ago, my wife and I were attending my business conference in Lake Tahoe when I started to feel the same symptoms which I experienced before the surgery. I could walk no more than 2 steps before needing to stop to catch my breath. My wife was crying as we were in a distant place, it was snowing and we were away from family and my doctor. I initially thought that it may have been due to the high altitude (over 6,000 feet). Little did I know that I was having a second heart attack. I was transported by ambulance to Carson Tahoe Regional Medical City in Carson City, where there was a heart center.
It was snowing that day and my wife rod the ambulance. The cardiologist who performed the angiogram the next day discovered that two of my three bypass arteries were clogged up again, the first 100% and the second 90%. He placed a stent in the second artery. He told my wife and I that I have bad genes as my arteries clogged up so soon.
Throughout the ordeals, my wife and I turned to our CFC community for support, to ask for prayers for my healing. In each occasion, prayers poured in from everywhere. Thanks to all of you for your prayers. At the hospital, those prayers sustained both of us. I could feel God's presence so I was not scared. I knew that He would take of me, as He did once before.
A poem I recently read goes this way :
The clock of life is wound but once,
and no man has the power to tell
just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.
NOW is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will.
Place no faith in time.
For the clock may soon be still.
My brothers and sisters, I don't know how many more years the Lord will give me. So each day that I am alive is a precious gift. We have learned not to take life for granted. Simple joys such as holding my newest granddaughter, hugging my grandsons, or talking to the other one on Skype bring me great joy. I cherish the time I spent last weekend with my old friends from college, who were so happy to see me. I attend mass most mornings and offer my every days to Him.
God is so good that He gave me a life partner who has been my constant support. I thank God always for her and for our children, our community and the many things He continue to bless me with each day. I give glory to Him who holds the key to my life and yours.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, "You will receive powers when the Holy Spirit comes down on you and then you will be my witnesses.. to the ends of the earth." I believe that I have been called to be His living witness for as long as I live. Let's all continue to be living witnesses for Him.
May God be praised!
Bro. Joe (& Sis. Cynthia) Bautista
Ancop cluster coordinators
Fremont chapter - California, USA
(as shared during their CFC cluster II assembly)
