Storyline Fall 2018

Hi, my name is ... Joel
Where were you born?
I was born in the Philippines and migrated
to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1996.
Tell us about your family.
I am the youngest in a family of five. I’m happily married to Lolet (Dolores) and we’ll celebrate our 22 nd wedding
anniversary in October this year. Out of the almost 22 years we’ve been together, we’ve spent 12 years of that as
International Workers (Missionaries) to the Silk Road for the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) Canada.
Favourite food?
I don’t have any specific food that I really like because I like them all! Coming from Southeast Asia, I do love anything
Asian like Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and of course Filipino food. Can’t live without rice though! Any meal
without rice is simply snacks for us Asians.
Favourite thing to do in your free time?
I used to love playing basketball during my younger years. Now that I can’t play anymore, I just love to watch any
basketball games on TV during my free time. I love to go hiking (only in my dreams). But now that we live in Calgary
where it’s close to the mountains, I might really go hiking and who knows, maybe it will be my favourite thing to do
during my free time the next time I answer this question.
Two things you can’t live without?
I do read my Bible every day so I say that I can’t live without my Bible. I do believe that “His Word is a lamp unto our
feet and a light unto our path.” (Psalm 119:105) My family is important to me, too. I can’t live without my family who
love me, just as I am.
Best vacation memory?
Our best vacation ever was when my wife and I went to the city of love, Paris. Walked the streets of Paris holding
hands, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city with the one I love. We visited places like the Eiffel Tower, the
Louvre Museum and saw the famous Mona Lisa painting. We walked – or should I say climbed – the 234 steps of the
Arc de Triomphe to reach the summit where we saw some of the best views of Paris. We also took the Seine River
Cruise with Bateaux Parisiens and saw Paris uniquely from the river. We ate genuine French food but at night, we
still had to go to an Asian restaurant like the Le Bistrot d’Indochine or Le Cambodge to get enough food (any meal
with rice ) to gain enough strength and stamina for the long walk we had to do the following day.
What song has the most plays on your playlist?
I’ve been singing and humming Chris Tomlin’s song “Good, Good Father” every day. So thankful that we have a good,
good Father who loves us and knows what we need before we even say a word. Chris Tomlin’s songs get the most
plays on my playlist reminding me how awesome our God is.
Favorite Bible verse and why?
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” When things don’t happen as planned, I tend to worry a lot.
But this verse always reminds me that God is at work and in control. All we need to do is to trust Him and allow Him
to have His way over us. Joel Marquez joined the FAC staff this summer as the Mosaic Ministries Pastor. Welcome to the
FAC family!