Remembering Mommy Luli

A Mother's Day Special

by Didi Marañon

Happy Mother's Day sa lahat ng mga Mommy, Nanay, Mama!

As Pope Francis said, “Pause a moment…and think of your mother. For some she is alive, for some she is in Heaven, but think of her with a heart of gratitude for all that you have received from her. That legacy that only mothers can give.” 

And so, for all of us at Elim, we will take time to honor our spiritual mother in community, our Keeper of the Vision, Sis Luli Nakar, or Mommy Luli to all of us.

Although she went home to be with the Lord in 2022, she continues to be a guiding light for Elim, as she was the one who received the community vision: “Go and spread the Good News!”

Let me give you a brief history or biography of Mommy Luli.

She was born on November 13, 1937 to Serafin Limuaco and Lourdes Rivera. She was the eldest of four girls. She studied at St. Theresa's College and Assumption College, and graduated with a degree in Commerce, majoring in Accounting. In 1958, she married Willy Nakar and had four children.

Many may know our family story, how their marriage turned sour which led to a decision to separate. This brought a huge burden on us, their children. At some point we were talking among ourselves who will go with whom—Dad or Mom. But God had other plans.

At about the time they were contemplating on separating, Mommy Luli was invited by her cousin to a prayer meeting. There she was touched by the Lord, and she subsequently invited my dad, Bro Willy, to join her in the prayer meeting. By the way, Dad was the only male attendant in that prayer meeting. But he continued to attend. They both attended a Life in the Spirit Seminar on February 14, 1980 and gave their life to the Lord.

It was during this time that Mommy Luli received a vision from the Lord, which was confirmed by Fr. Pascual Adorable. She heard the voice of the Lord reverberate across the sky saying: “Go and spread the Good News!” As she looked behind her, she saw my dad, Bro Willy, us three sisters, and my brother.

What followed was a complete transformation for Mommy Luli.

How do I describe her? A few words wouldn't be enough to recount her extraordinary life and contribution to community, the Church and the world, in general.

But let me give you a glimpse of who she was and how inspiring she continues to be for me and for Elim Communities.

Remembering Mommy Luli

1. Confident in the Lord

She knew who she was—a daughter of God. She met Popes, Cardinals, Heads of state, government officials—in her very simple pantsuit. She carried the designation “servant of the Lord” with conviction and confidence. Hindi sya “duko." Hindi sya nahihiyang humarap kahit kanino. Sapagkat matatag ang tiwala nya sa kanyang pagiging anak ng Diyos.

2. Prayed long and loved the Word of God

She woke up at 4am—prayed all 150 Psalms. Her Bible is multicolored. When she's not busy with ministry work or attending to dad, you will find her reading her Bible. You will find her in her makeshift desk in their bedroom—reading the Bible. How she loved the Word of God! Hindi sya mahilig manood ng TV. Even when she's sitting on their bed, she's reading her Bible. As I said earlier, she prayed long hours. She's actually the first intercessor in Elim. And, like Dad, she spent all her days serving the Lord.

3. Believed 100% in God's Providence

I always share this with other people. Mommy Luli always says, “‘Pag may need, magpapadala si Lord!” She never worried. Even in times of lack, she didn't worry. Her faith in God was truly remarkable. Nung panahong umaasa lang kami sa biyaya ni Lord, never kong nadinig na nag-worry si Mommy. Kahit kulang ang pagkain, kahit walang pambili ng gas, kahit mukhang walang pambayad ng enrollment. Buong-buo ang tiwala nya sa provision ni Lord. Up to today, I marvel at her complete faith in God to provide.

She and dad always quoted Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.” How many of us believe that enough not to worry when things are tough? Mom did. And she is an inspiration in believing 100% in the providence of God.

4. Wind Beneath Elim's Wings

Keeper of the Vision. Sis Luli partnered with Bro Willy regarding the Lord’s direction for Elim. She set in motion the Elim Media Ministry, Springs Foundation, Ministry of Corporate Renewal, as well as The Smile Club.

For those who don't know, The Smile Club was a movement for youth evangelization. At its peak, it had more than 250k card-bearing members. Although PY was the face of The Smile Club, Mom was the moving force behind it. The Smile Club toured campuses to share the Good News to students across the country.

In 2000, she and Bro Willy launched Elim Missions which saw the expansion of our evangelistic work here, in the Philippines, and abroad. Today, with the leadership of Elim Mission Directors, Moses and Dondi Catan, Elim has over 180 branches and startups across the Philippines and in many parts of the world.

Conclusion

So, these are just 4 characteristics of Mommy Luli that serve as inspiration to community:

1. Confident in the Lord

2. Prayed long and loved the Word of God

3. Believed 100% in God's Providence

4. Wind Beneath Elim's Wings

But above all these, she was my Mom.

She was wife, first of all, to Dad. She was a loving and generous mother to us, her children. She treated her sons-in-law and daughter-in-law like her own children. And they loved and liked her back. She doted on her grandchildren. Bordering on spoiling them!

Since it's Mother's Day, please indulge me as I recall some ways in which she raised me.

When I was a little girl, she taught me good manners, how to behave in a feminine way—to sit with my knees together, to always carry a handkerchief and fan in my bag, not to mislead suitors in consideration of their feelings. As a young woman, she gave me freedom, trusting that I would remember all that she taught me.

On my wedding day, she only cried in the bridal car on our way to the Church. It was both tears of joy that the Lord answered her prayers; and sadness that she was letting go of her eldest daughter.

My Mom died on my birthday almost three years ago. But all I could say and think about on that day was, “Thank you, Mom.” All of us cried when she passed away. All her grandchildren cried because they missed their lola.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, I continue to say, “Thank you, Mom.” I know that she continues to pray for me, for our family, and for all of you.

This Mother's Day, let us lovingly remember Elim's spiritual mother, Elim Co-Founder, Mommy Luli. And let us thank the Lord for her and for the example she has set for all of us.

We love you, Mom!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, we thank you for Mommy Luli, Co-Founder and Keeper of the Vision of Elim Communities. May we forge ahead in the future with the vision that you have given Mommy Luli. And may you grant her eternal rest in your loving embrace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.