Several
of you have written to ask about our friends and church planting partners in the
Philippines. It has been my pleasure to
work with these dear people for the past 13 years in the province of Negros Oriental, in the Central Philippines.
I am
thankful to report that we have heard from most of them.
I am
passing along their communications in this post, so you all may see their level
of trust in the Lord and their reactions to being hit by the strongest storm
ever recorded to make landfall on the planet.
Negros
had high winds and torrential rains, but they were blessed to be missed by the
most powerful portion of the typhoon.
Here are
communications we received from Pastor Josue Cadiao (who also had the family of
Pastor Ernel Agaban with them in Bacong), and Pastor Roberto Martin in the
coastal area of Bais City.
Hello
Dear Brethren in the Lord,
God is
gracious enough who holds our lives from the monster typhoon Yolanda.
We cannot
hold our emotions upon looking at the news. Hundreds of people were dead
due to the typhoon and homes and establishments were broken. We are so sorry
for them. And we prayed for God's comfort and hope for them.
For us we
are sending our heartfelt gratitude and thanks giving for your earnest prayers
for our situation upon waiting the coming of the typhoon. Your prayers mean a
lot to us. God redirected the typhoon in our area Negros Oriental. From signal
No. 4 to signal no. 2 He made it possible and it is because of all your prayers
for us. We really appreciate.
We cannot
explain our emotions upon waiting the said typhoon but because of your prayers,
your calls, and your concern we felt God's hand and comfort. and protection.
To
Central , Burnaugh, Ptr. Darrell, Bro. Richard, Ptr. Pete, Ptr. Joed, Dr.
CJ and all who prayed for us our heartfelt appreciation to all. How lucky
we are to have you as our prayer partners. To God be the glory for all that He
has done.
We are
now back to our daily routine of works. Today we are experiencing a sunny day.
We will
uphold you all in our prayers continually.
We thank
God for all of you.
God's
blessings be upon us all.
In His
Vineyard,
Bro.
Josue Cadiao, Cristy and Bacong Christian Fellowship
Pastor Roberto Martin in Bais City kept us updated with
the following dispatches as the Typhoon approached, and in the aftermath:
11/6 5:59AM “Hello dr. Cj.Pls pray for Negros we are the
center of Super typhoon.The Gov. already suspended the classes for two
days.please pray for the covering of God's hand”.
11.6 11:26PM “The strong Wind is now starting.... We are in the house.praying,preparing just
open the computer till there's service of electricity to update the news.”
11/7 6:48PM “The typhoon striking signal no.3 in our
place.About to landfall before 2 hours.”
11/10 6:29AM “Hello Dr. CJ.....Thank you for all your
prayers.God's grace we are all safe.Lets just continue pray because Yolanda is
still in the Philippines and this coming Tues night-Wed.There's another heavy
rain threat and it may become a tropical storm.
God is amazing!miraculous!He really answered
prayer.There's no any damaged in our home and church building.During the
landfall,we sing God's songs and prayed.rebuking the typhoon.God is good all
the time.”
I have also heard from Pastor Nico Folio in Manjuyod. He did not give specifics regarding damages,
etc, but we understand that the Bamboo Church is still standing along the sea
coast in Manjuyod.
While our hearts are broken at the tragic loss of life and catastrophic
damage in Tacloban City, Leyte Island, Samar, and northern Cebu, we are
thanking God for the deliverance of our dear friends and partners on Negros
Island.
Please keep the thousands of affected families in your
prayers.
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