In one of the services we had attended at JIL-Burnaby, there was once a part of the service wherein some brethrens were giving their testimonies on what they had experienced in the "encounter". Upon hearing them, I asked myself: "What was so special about this retreat? Did they really had the chance to encounter God face to face?" Now, my time came that I will be experiencing what they had experienced. At first, I was not even excited because I know that it will be just the usual retreat, and the same kind of deliverance will happen. I even told myself that I should not attend it because I already had such an experience when I was in the middle east. When the teachings started, I felt the rebuking of the Holy Spirit, saying that I should surrender it all. Because even though I am already serving God in the middle east, and even God has poured out so much blessings into our lives, I somehow still "cling" to some things/attitudes that are not pleasant in the eyes of God. So when we were asked to put the nails (which symbolizes our sins) on the cross, I made sure that mine would be struck to the fullest so that it wouldn't be taken again. Symbolizing that I surrendered them all and was sorry for all the wrong doings I had done. Before, I could tell that my service to God was only "unos-unos" (arabic word, translated in English, meaning it's only half and half), now I am trying my best to make it "mia fil mia" (arabic word, translated in English, meaning 100%). At the end of the encounter, I was very eager to get out to the world so that I could test myself on how strong will I be against those temptations, which I nurtured during my past service to God. I would like to close with this verse in the Bible, taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says: "However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country." I believe this is a brief summary of the encounter. To God is the Glory!       Testimony By: FRANCIS JOSE JIL Burnaby  (Encounter Retreat Batch 14)

Before the encounter, I was thinking that I don't really need to attend to this kind of retreat for some reasons: (a) I already had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and had been serving Him since childhood; (b) I'm one of the elders and teachers in our congregation in the middle east; (c) I had attended several retreats before. But something happened from the start of the teaching until the teaching in deliverance. God revealed to me through His word, that there is "still" something in my heart. There is still wound, pain, and fear that became barriers in serving Him. I heard the audible voice of God whispering in my ears, He said: "Why don't you tell Me that you still have the bitterness in Me because I took your beloved mom so soon. And now you are still suffering from pain. I just want you to admit it and wanted to hear from you." After that, I really cried unto Him, apologized for the things I felt, and surrendered all the pain that I kept in my heart. And then I felt the warm embrace of our faithful and loving God, He is really a consuming fire! I received a fresh new spirit and fresh anointing pouring out from head to foot. It's really indescribable when you are in the mighty presence of the living God. I believe I'm totally healed and delivered. And I know that after this encounter, I will be set free of pain and fear of losing a loved one; and I believe I'm totally healed and delivered. I always hear other brethrens say that satan is working double time in our lives especially after this encounter, but I believe that the Holy Spirit, our Lord Jesus Christ is working 24/7/365 days in our lives. By faith, after this encounter, the flood gates of heaven is always open to pour out His blessings spiritually, physically, and financially. Now, it is my turn to serve Him totally. To God our Lord Jesus Christ is the glory and honor!    Testimony By: NILDA JOSE JIL Burnaby  (Encounter Retreat Batch 14)

My expereince in the encounter was definitely life-changing. Since I was a little kid, I've had different religious views. First I was a Christian, then a Catholic and I was also an Iglesian. I was raised in a religious family but I was kinda forced to go with different relatives therefore have to go to different churches. But when I came to Canada I became a "permanent" Christian.   The most life-changing part in the Encounter was when we had to put all our sins on the nails & bury it on the cross. After I did that I felt so relieved, like I was pure & clean & free from all of the bad things that I've done. Another life-changing part was when I was baptize & speaking in tongues. Sis. Joy Cachin was praying for me & I told her that something's holding me back from really letting go of the all bad things in my heart so she prayed for me & I realized that this "thing" was the anger towards my dad. My dad left me when I was little & I never forgave him for leaving his family. And with my Mom in Canada, I was raised by my grandpa. And they were teaching me that my dad was never a good guy. So I grew up, feeeling like that about my dad. I felt like he never tried coming back to me. So I finally found this anger that was holding me back & I prayed & prayed to God to help me forgive  him & he made me realized that even though my physical dad was never there for me, my One & Only Spiritual Father was there for me the whole time I felt rejected & alone.   Therefore, I forgave my dad & I thank the Lord for all the things He's done for me & most of all being there for me.   Testimony By: JESSICA ORDUYO JIL Richmond  (Encounter Retreat Batch 14)