God’s Love Makes Love Lovelier, the Second Time Around…

 

^“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

By Elsie Sy-Niebar

Photos by Rosie Reed Photography

Who says that what you dreamed to be when you were young which were not fulfilled in your adult years, will never come true? The emotional trials and tribulations may be so much, and in desperation, you cried out to the Lord: “Why Lord? Why don’t you listen to my plea? I want to serve you. But why do you shut the door off in my face? Not fair, Lord!”

This is similar to the plea to the Lord of the very young Lydia Alberto Rhoton, now Mrs. Lydia Alberto Tayco, who, with her new husband and Partner in Christ, the Rev. Pascual Tayco, has finally received God’s answer to her lifetime plea to God — to use her to serve Him fulltime to spread and share His Love and Words to His children.

But this is jumping the story of this Godly couple – Rev. Pastor Tayco and Lydia Alberto Rhoton — who, recently, celebrated their Fifth Wedding Anniversary, heralded by a church-gospel atmosphere.

Let’s backtrack a little bit. Once upon a time in our lovely Fil-Am Chicago Community, there was a Lydia Alberto Rhoton, a  beautiful young lady and wife of a very successful real-estate businessman, (the late)  Mr. Don Rhoton. Lydia was looked up to in the Filipino American Chicago community as a quiet “socialite,” endowed with beauty titles like “Mrs. Philippines,” “Mrs. Philippines-International,”  “Ginang Mutya ng Pilipinas” (or Mrs. Pearl of the Orient”), etc. Never did people know that deep in Lydia’s heart, she was crying to serve the Lord. Born in a humble family in the Philippines, she came from a family of God-serving family. Her uncle and brother were pastors. As a little girl, she dreamed of being a Deaconess. As a youth, her church work was not missed out from the eyes of many church workers. At 17, the district superintendent of the Methodist Church in Manila commissioned her to serve in Tarlac as a Bible study teacher, preacher, head of fundraisers, program director, etcetera. Wearing so many hats, the church grew under the Youthful Lydia’s leadership, even if she had to sleep on hardwood floors without pillows. She was happy to see her services to the Lord being fulfilled!

To fulfill her dream to contribute more monetary support to her mission work, in 1977 she ventured to go to America as a tourist. Of course, she found out that “America is not for the fainthearted” nor a “Land of Honey.”  Like most new arrivals in America, she went through a loophole of struggles. Then, Lo and Behold! The Lord sent her “Knight in Shining Armor”: (the late) Mr. Don Rhoton,  a practicing  Christian who loved her and gave her blessings more than what she ever thought of.  Then, Lydia’s Love to serve the Lord was not quite known to the community. However, she tried to make her mission be known through her business by naming her Home Health Care, “In His Hands.” Not quite known to many, Lydia and Don also held Bible Studies at their home, the “door” to Lydia’s childhood dream to serve Him. It was through their Bible Study when “the Lord introduced Pastor Pascual Tayco” to the Rhotons.

Who is Pastor Pascual Tayco? He grew up in the now No. 1 Tourist attraction called Boracay, in Aklan, Philippines. Influenced by two American missionaries, Chuck and Pauline Allianza, who served the Aetas or “Philippine Aborigines” the young  Pascual Tayco took up Ministry at the International Baptist Biological College and later became a fulltime Pastor at the Christian Baptist Church. He also hosted a local  television program called “Buhay Kristyano” (Christian Life). In 2004, he visited Chicago and did Bible Study with the late Pastor Yague, who later, introduced him to Don and Lydia Rhoton. Don and Pastor Tayco became good Christian friends, to the point that Pastor Tayco became Don’s “spiritual caregiver” until the day when he was called by the Lord to “come Home.” According to Lydia, before her loving Don passed away, he told her: “I want you to be happy when I am gone. Find yourself a good man.” These “Last Words” of her late husband bring tears to Lydia’s eyes when she talks about it today. “Don was right. He left me the right man (Pastor Tayco) who, not only helps me fulfill my childhood mission but one who loves me, unconditionally,” she said holding back her tears.

Sharing their love to Jesus Christ, Lydia and Pastor Pascual Tayco fell in love with each other, in response to the late Don Rhoton’s deathbed wishes to his beloved wife—“I do not want to leave you alone and lonely.” Last May 2013, the former Mrs. Lydia Alberto Rhoton became Mrs. Lydia Alberto Tayco. Enjoying all the blessings in fulfilling both their shared-mission To Serve Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, the Taycos celebrated and renewed their Marriage Vows last May 27, 2018 — their Fifth Wedding Anniversary.

Rev. Pascual Tayco and Lydia Alberto Tayco’s life today revolves in their “Church Planting Ministry” in the Philippines, where they spend most of their time together. Most importantly, they are both focused on their current project titled “Great Common Worldwide Ministry” whose panoramic mission is simplified by “SEND” which stands for:  Service, Evangelism, Nurturing and Development. This is a weekly meeting held at their lovely home, a meeting of Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ regardless of what religions they belong. They pray together, sing praises to the Lord together, share Godly, and even ungodly experiences which changed their lives by learning more of Who Jesus Christ is and His Teachings. It’s an open-end conversation about Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Regardless of their faith, attendees develop love for each other as Brothers and Sisters-in-the Lord.

Like other human beings, me, or this writer has “another life” not very well-known to everyone. I am an Ordained Ruling Elder in my Church, with participation in the Chicago Presbytery, or Archdiocese for Roman Catholics. I have learned so much from Pastor Tayco and Lydia Tayco’s Church Planting Ministry. A great add on, so to speak. And yes. You should listen to Lydia’s message when she speaks about Jesus. . She speaks fluently of her Faith like most television ministries I or we watch on TV. Sometimes, I could not believe I am listening to the former “socialite – the Lydia Rhoton” we know in our community.

“This gathering is not a church outreach. It is more of spiritual gathering of a non-denominational Community of Believers  exchanging spiritual beliefs and to know more about Christian relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  To help develop Christian values which, sadly, is at times relegated to the backburner nowadays,” explained Pastor Tayco.

The Taycos’ humanitarian projects in the Philippines cover feeding centers, the needs of aborigines or mountain people like the Negritos or Aeatas, and education of Church workers. I am happy that my wife, as charter president of the Chicago Eagles Wings Lions Club is having its fundraising to help this outreach projects. God will make a Way. His Way”, concluded Pastor Tayco.

Meanwhile, anyone who wants to check on the Sunday 6PM Christian Family Ministry, at the Taycos’ lovely home, you are most welcome. Call Lydia. To Pastor Tayco and Lydia, may the Lord continue to bless you and your Ministry. HAPPY FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

The BRIDAY ENTOURAGE: From left are: Maria Smith, Jet Jet Gruezo, Chantimar Sriaroon, the Bride Lydia Alberto Tayco, Amy Mayuga, Marjorie Llamas, Cristina Agu and Vicky Fertig.

Teasing the Groom the Rev. Pascual Tayco starts from JR Roque, Felix Llamas, Robert Chavez, Ben Zoleta, Somboon Sriaroon, Dr. Rudyard Smith, and Monte Carlo Smith (All photos by Rosie Reed)

Candle sponsors, Jay Duran and Marlet Segundan

Flower girls and Ring bearers from left: Jaden Segundan, Joshua Ramos and Emanuel Larosa, bride and groom Lydia Alberto Tayco and Rev. Pascual Tayco,Kai Reyes, Jolene Managueled, Cheela Lariosa and Alpha Ramos

Veil Ceremony with sponsors Bill ad Gemini Tamondong

Principal sponsors: Edna Lapid, Lina Jonson, Beng Hizon, Dr. Alice Joaquin, Bride and Groom Lydia And Rev. Pascual Tayco, Ernie Lapid, Dr. Mikor Hizon, Atty. Jun Joaquin, Rev. Bob Aquino, and Dr. Virgilio Jonson. Officiating Ministers: are Rev. Dr. Bob Aquino and Rev. Shando Valdez