Myrna Tamares Camba had big dreams when she was young–get a degree–work in a multi-national company–earn lots of money. She would buy the things she wanted for herself and for her family, a big house, a car, and whatever her heart desired. After graduating from college and passing the Certified Public Accountant board exams, her dreams seemed close, but suddenly there was a change of heart…
Myrna was always a good girl; been a good daughter and a good student. She was involved in church ministries at a young age, and delighted in tagging along with her mother. She won in declamation and oratorical contests during her elementary and high school days. She was a “dean’s lister” in college, and after she passed the board, she instantly took a job auditing the sales of a big company. She recalls, “Sobrang daming trabaho dun. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko nalampasan ‘yun but it was a job na tipong dun ka na natutulog, dun ka na naliligo, lalo na pag-peak season. It came to a point na nasabi ko, “Lord, ayoko na dito.”
Eventually, Myrna resigned from that job and took several other jobs as auditor. She recalled a time when a client asked her to cheat on their report. She says, “Meron din akong mga naging client na naghahanap na gawan mo ‘yung account nila ng hocus focus. Sabi ko, “Lord, hindi ko kayang gawin ‘yun.” It seemed like the nearer she got to fulfilling her dreams, the heavier the weight of compromise was on her conscience. She knew deep inside that was not the life for her.
Finally, she got an offer to work at ICI Ministries, a Christian organization, and she accepted the job. “Sa totoo lang, medyo nag-struggle pa talaga ako when I took the job because the salary was modest. I knew I could earn 5 times more in other companies at that time.” Myrna says.
There was a tug of war going on in her mind as to whether this was the right decision or not, but she held on to her job. After a few years, Myrna was promoted and became the Finance and Administration head of ICI Ministries. She says, “My schedule at ICI enables me to work with my personal clients on Fridays, and be a part time professor teaching Accounting and Taxation to some 50 students on Saturdays. As a Certified Public Accountant, I am able to help various Christian organizations set up their Accounting system, advising them how to be good stewards of the Lord’s resources and be compliant to all government rules and regulations. When I started doing these things, I really felt this was my calling. Nag-strike talaga sa heart ko na ito ‘yung purpose ko sa buhay, that this was my part in the Body of Christ, to use my talent and profession on the administrative aspect of churches and Christian organizations.“
Throughout the 15 years that Myrna has been working at ICI, she has had many higher paying job offers that were more in line with her profession. They offered tempting 6-digit salaries and benefits, but Myrna continues to feel that for the time being this is where she should be.
Myrna’s husband, who is also an accountant, and their 2 sons, Ralph, and Matt have benefited from this decision. Myrna says, “To be able to do your work without compromising your integrity and your peace of mind, and to still have time to spend with your husband and kids is non-negotiable.
“I am holding on to God’s promise that He can sustain me where I am now, because he planned for me to be here.” Myrna said confidently.
