Mars Gabriel did not know that a game of basketball would change life. The day was July 18, 1986. A friend from REACH invited him to join some of the REACH guys for a game after class.

Mars was a second-year student at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSO in Batac. After the game, Teody Solsoloy shared the gospel, and Mars accepted Christ.

Mars eventually joined a training apartment, discipled new Christians, and later spoke during fellowships when Teody was studying in Los Banos.

Mars made a commitment to God after graduation to serve in Batac. He reviewed and took his board exam in Electrical Engineering in Manila in 1989. He returned to Batac to serve and to wait for his test results.

However, the results never came. A fire destroyed the exams so no one passed and exams were rescheduled. Mars did not have money for another review so he held his own review session with God and his old notes. This time the results came, and his name was on the list.

A teaching position opened at MMSU so Mars applied. He was ranked number one out of four candidates based on his interview and demonstrations. But his recommendation sat on the president's table who was in the Visayas at the time. The Mt. Pinatubo eruption further delayed the president's arrival. By the time he returned, there was a new batch of graduates. One placed in the top 20 on a new board exam, so Mars' recommendation was withdrawn.

Mars says he rebelled against his earlier commitment and returned to Manila. He was confident that he could find a job there quickly. Friends with lesser qualifications landed jobs, but no one would hire Mars. Then he remembered his earlier commitment and returned to Batac. For one semester he drove a tricycle but he was content because he was serving God.

In 1992 he married Au and was hired as an instructor at the College of Technology at MMSU in Laoag.

Another test of his commitment came in 1994. A crash course in Ceramic Engineering sidelined his involvement in the ministry. He was advised to take the course because companies would be locating nearby and would need consultants. The course took all of his evenings and weekends.

After one semester, Mars sensed God telling him not to enroll again but he went ahead. In December, he was riding his motorcycle to work when a jeepney hit him at an intersection. The blow threw him off the bike. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet but his foot was broken and a metal rod had to be placed in his leg. He was unable to attend classes and was forced to drop the course.

People in the ministry assisted him in the hospital, gave money, and encouraged him. After one month, he could walk without crutches. Today he still plays basketball and feels no side effects.

Mars says he does not blame God for the accident but appreciates His love. "Although it was painful, there was no other way because I was not listening to Him.'

Recently, Mars committed to spearhead the undergraduate ministry at MMSU. Mars says he wants to make disciples and is inspired when he remembers the time and effort spent by the one who discipled him--especially one-on-one. Mars also serves as a guitarist and emcee at the fellowships. Au also leads a bible study.

In spite of a lack of jobs in the Batac area, pray that more men will have a vision to minister with the team.

In a disciple's life, there are times of victory and joy. Then there are times of seeming barrenness and discouragement.

For years, Teody and Aida thought nothing spiritual was happening at Cotton Research. They felt discouraged and pulled down. When they won an award, hardly no one noticed. Officemates seemed to just shrug their shoulders and promotions passed them by. Attempts to start a Bible study, especially with men failed to materialize.