Journey of a U.S. Army Soldier to God's Army

After 24 years in the U.S. Army, Lino was enrolled in a Bible Institute as a part of his preparation for the mission field. He learned from the military that “never go to war unprepared.” He is about to graduate, but something dreadful incident happened. He was in a clinic supposedly for a short medical procedure to ease the pain in his back. From there, he and his family planned to meet and eat in a good restaurant. But little did they know that day changed their lives forever. Something went wrong with the medical procedure. He was unexpectedly paralyzed from the waist down. Because of the severity of the damage to his spinal cord, he was told that he might not walk again. The “lean, mean, fighting machine” soldier was now bedridden, wheelchair bound, helpless, hopeless, and discouraged. He and his wife asked so many “why” questions. Earlier in his military career, he was stationed in Japan, and there he was called by God to be an evangelist to the Philippines. How can he go now? He cannot even move without help from his medical aide or family members. With men, this is a horrible situation, but with God – nothing is impossible. He had a different plan. He is the potter; we are the clay. The paralysis was just a part of his molding process.

A lot of tears and a lot of prayers, his wife was there faithfully taking care of him. Then one-day God comforted them. He felt His presence and assurance, “God put it in his heart that he will walk again.” It took two years but as God promised, he walked again with a cane. Some of his severely damaged nerves somehow miraculously healed and started to move muscles in his legs. His rehab doctor was amazed. He has 45 years of experience and told his wife “if his leg’s strength will not come back in six days after the injury, he will not walk again.” But God is our Greatest Healer. After two years, the doctor was in awe after he saw him walking while visiting the hospital. After many more months of rehabilitation, he was strong enough to travel to the mission field.

Since 2013, Lino and his wife have been in the Philippine mission field working and partnering with many pastors. They even started a Bible institute with over 40 students currently enrolled. Only God knows how many souls got saved because they trusted God that if He called you for the ministry, He would equip you and fight the battles for you. He had learned to trust God completely.

His pastor said “This is the story of a wonderful couple who on a daily basis exemplify great faith in their great God. Through a myriad of health trials that would silence many a voice, Mr. Carino has raised his up with great confidence and praise for the Lord.”