THE PHILIPPINES—Attending the Feast of Tabernacles requires planning, patience and prayer. For me this year, the process became a living testimony of how God works through both the big and small details of life, from booking a flight to obtaining a visa to accommodation, to rest and protection.

The first miracle began months before I even packed my bags. On June 4, I received approval to attend the Feast in South Africa. However, flight ticket prices were well beyond my budget. I prayed specifically for God to help me find a fare within a certain reasonable amount. For weeks, I prayed and waited and searched. Finally, on August 24, I found a flight that fit my budget, slightly lower than what I had hoped for. I felt nudged to purchase it right away. A couple of minutes later, that same ticket tripled in price and by the next hour was five times higher. I was deeply thankful that I waited for the right timing and that I acted when I felt God’s prompting.

With the help of our minister in South Africa, Mr. George Githembe, I submitted all the required documents for my travel visa, but the approval was delayed. By the Friday before my Monday flight, the application was still marked as “under process.” I updated Mr. Githembe on Sunday afternoon, and shared my decision to take a step of faith and travel that night from Baguio City with my luggage, arrive in Manila early Monday morning, and wait outside the visa center as soon as it opened. Mr. Githembe mentioned that he had asked the brethren in Johannesburg to pray for my visa approval the previous Sabbath. I was deeply touched and grateful. I also talked with my mother, who gently encouraged me and reminded me to leave everything to God, that everything happens for a reason and that His will is always for the best. Her words gave me the strength and peace I needed amid the uncertainty. My sisters also encouraged me, saying they were asking our Church family to pray for me and that God would perform a miracle, renewing my trust in God’s timing.

I had to finish work deadlines before my long Feast leave and finalize my packing. My body and mind were exhausted, but early Monday morning I left for the eight-hour trip to Manila. Arriving at the visa center, I saw that a long queue had already formed. Many other applicants had also been waiting for weeks. One travel agency employee told me that in all his years, he had never seen such a prolonged delay. Hearing this helped me realize how uncertain my situation truly was, yet I held onto my faith that God could intervene.

When I finally went to the counter to inquire, I was told that my visa was already ready for release. I didn’t even have to join the long queue: My passport was simply handed to me. I opened it and saw the visa inside. I was overjoyed!

I departed the Philippines, even though the visa delay had prevented me from booking accommodation for the three nights prior to the Feast. The flight from Manila to Singapore appeared completely full, yet both seats beside me remained empty and I could stretch out and relieve some of my exhaustion and back pain.

From Singapore I flew to Dubai. There, an hour before checking in for my flight to Johannesburg, I realized that my phone was missing. It was most likely in a different terminal, a train ride away through a large and busy airport. I tried different things, fearing I would lose my phone or miss my flight. I prayed silently and searched the crowded terminal for about 30 minutes, feeling as though I was looking for a needle in a haystack. Finally, I found it at one of the charging stations, in plain sight yet unnoticed by anyone else. I quietly thanked God then and there: He had once again intervened.

I had not been able to book accommodation in Johannesburg, however, just before departing Dubai and despite the issue with my phone, Mr. Githembe was able to reach me. Through his assistance, accommodation had been found in Johannesburg, at a discounted rate, that perfectly fit the location and timing I needed.

My third flight was also nearly full, yet the seat next to me was vacant. These blessings of comfort and peace felt like God’s gentle reminder that He cares even about the smallest details.

Arriving in Johannesburg, I heard from my local contact that I was to meet him outside the airport. I was grateful to have arrived, but concerned due to travel advisories about crime in public areas in Johannesburg. Near the exit, two men began approaching me. Instinctively, I prayed for God’s protection. Then, almost immediately, two police officers appeared, intercepted the men, making them keep their distance until my driver arrived. I was deeply touched and thankful for God’s perfect timing and protection.

Through it all, I learned that when God calls us to attend His Feasts, He not only invites us spiritually, but He also provides constant care and perfect timing, guiding, providing and protecting. Our role is to trust, pray, and move forward in faith. I think of Psalm 121:8, which says, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”