A Journey of Faith, Sacrifice, and Pioneering Love: My Mission to Revive HSA-UWC FFWPU Eastern Visayas

My name is Elsa Oraño Providencia. My life has been a journey of faith, perseverance, and an unwavering desire to serve Heavenly Parent & True Parents and humanity. As a person with orthopedic disability, my path has never always been easy, but I have learned that physical limitations cannot stop a heart that is determined to fulfill a greater purpose.

I encountered the Unification Church in the early 1990s, and after attending God’s Day in 1991, I made a deep personal commitment to dedicate my life to God’s providential work. From that moment, my journey as a missionary began. 

Most of my years were spent in pioneering missions witnessing, fundraising, food raising, volunteering, and serving wherever I was needed. I experienced many challenges, but every hardship became a lesson of faith. I also had the opportunity to do international fundraising for eight years in nine different countries in Asia. Those experiences strengthened my determination, expanded my understanding of service, and taught me that true mission is not only about places or positions it is about investing one’s heart for the sake of others.

In 2008, my journey entered another important chapter when I started building my family life as a Blessed Family. I experienced the joy and responsibility of becoming a wife and mother while continuing to carry the heart of mission and service.

However, in May 2025, I faced one of the most difficult seasons of my life. I was seriously diagnosed with pneumonia complications and enlargement of the heart. I felt weak, afraid, lonely, and deeply discouraged. It became a battle not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually. There were moments when I questioned how much strength I still had.

But in the silence of my struggles, I continued to pray sincerely to God. My deepest prayer was simple: “God, please extend my life so I can still serve You and continue working for Your purpose.”

Through that prayer, I found renewed determination. In November 2025, I accepted the leadership responsibility for HSA-UWC FFWPU Eastern Visayas. With faith in God and a heart willing to serve again, I embraced the calling to pioneer.

This decision was not easy. Once again, I entered a pioneering life this time away from my husband and my son who are in Negros Oriental (Region 7), while I began serving in Eastern Visayas. I had to leave the comfort of being with my family and step into an uncertain journey, trusting that Heavenly Parent would guide every step.

Pioneering HSA-UWC FFWPU Eastern Visayas again was a great challenge. We started from the beginning with no active regular members, no center, and very limited financial resources. There were many unknowns, but there was also hope.

Since we did not yet have a center, we focused on caring for people through pastoral care, home group studies, home visitations, and family fellowships. Many times, I traveled two to five hours just to reach families, listen to their stories, encourage them, and share the vision of faith and peace.

We began with small steps. Slowly, through consistent prayer, dedication, and connection with people, some members started returning and the spirit of the community began to revive. After seven months of pioneering, we saw signs of hope a reminder that even small efforts offered with sincerity can create meaningful change.

Our dream and prayer is to open a center in Tacloban City a place where people can gather, learn, grow in faith, and experience a community centered on God’s love and peace. This dream requires continuous prayer, unity, and fundraising, but we believe that with determination and sincerity, God will open the way.

The recent challenges and incidents in Tacloban City remind us even more of the importance of creating a place that promotes healing, family values, peace, and hope. Our mission is not only to establish a physical center, but to build a spiritual home where people can find encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging.

My journey as a missionary has taught me that pioneering is not measured by comfort or convenience. It is measured by the willingness to sacrifice, to love, and to continue moving forward even in difficult times.

Today, despite my physical struggles, I continue this mission with gratitude. Every day I am reminded that my life is a gift from Heavenly Parent, and I want to use the remaining years of my life to serve, love, and contribute to the realization of a peaceful world.

This is not only my personal journey it is a testimony of faith, a story of God’s grace, and a commitment to continue building a foundation for the future generations of HSA-UWC FFWPU Eastern Visayas.