Inspiring Story of Change

Ex-convict moves from darkness to light

After spending half of his life in prison, can 44-year-old Alfredo still have a second chance at life? Will he still find light in the dark?

Yes, he can still have a second chance. And yes, he did find the light.

Last March 11, 2008, Alfredo Cassanova graduated from his Practical Electricity course offered by the Mobile Out of School Training (MOST) program of Operation Blessing.

He was one of the 90 graduates of the program offered to qualified residents of Brgy. Gregoria de Jesus, Gen. Mariano Alvarez (GMA), Cavite, and adjacent areas.

MOST is a free mobile job skills training school that provides training to out-of-school youths and unemployed people. It offers four job skills training courses: Cosmetology, Dressmaking, Practical Electricity, and Air-conditioning/Refrigeration.


Dark, Tragic Days

Alfredo was imprisoned twice. The first is for murder and kept him behind bars for 14 years. The second is for illegal possession of drugs which he paid for in prison for 9 years.

The second time in jail in the mid-1990s, he finally came to know Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior. Then, the changes started to manifest in his life.

His addiction to vices and drugs stopped. He became calm and coolheaded making him less prone to trouble.

“Before, I got angry easily so I got into trouble many times,” he said.


Then Came the Light

After finishing his term in 2000, he and his family settled down at San Pedro, Laguna. They made a living by selling goods in a nearby market.

His search for a church brought him to Maranatha Full-Gospel Church where he met Pastor Fernando “Ding” Brimbuela.

When Pastor Ding informed him of Operation blessing’s MOST program, he initially hesitated. After all, he only finished fourth grade. But after OB assured him that he can pass, he enrolled in practical electricity.

Through MOST, Alfredo discovered not just new skills but also lessons on life values and the Bible.

His Second Chance

During the graduation rites, her mother’s joy was evident. Her son was a changed person! She was very supportive of his dreams.

Alfredo plans to accept home service jobs to help in the financial needs of their family. If he earns enough money for capital, he will put up a repair shop and buy a passenger jeepney and/or tricycle that he can rent out to his friends who may also want to earn a living.

He was grateful that God has protected him while in jail.

“I was grateful that no tragedy happened to me there. I didn’t get killed when there were riots, and I also did not suffer any serious illness,” Alfredo said.

He prays that his walk with the Lord would be sustained and that their life would be continually blessed.

Through the MOST program of Operation Blessing, people like Mang Alfredo can still have a second chance at life, and be able to live again from darkness to light.