Eternal Life Ministries International - Philippine Missions

God comforts us. No.263 September 20th, 2014

John 14:15-16 TLB “If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you.”

John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me*—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit— he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Word Wealth: Psalm 24:3 Comfort—from the Greek word “nacham”. To console, extend compassion---It does not describe casual sympathy, but deep empathy. It is like “weeping with those who weep,” or “sighing with those who sigh.”

Acts 9:31 Comfort—from the Greek word “paraklesis”. A calling alongside to help, comfort, to give consolation or encouragement. A strengthening presence of one who upholds those appealing for assistance. Dear Friends,

Hi. Emie and I send your our warm greetings from the Philippines. We continue to pray for the Lord’s rich and powerful blessings upon you. May His peace, love, joy, and comfort be with you in a new and greater way. We pray that in these final weeks of 2014, God will amaze you.

Psalm 37:4 ”Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Each month, we try to express our thanks and appreciation to you for your prayers for us, for your friendship and encouragement, and for your financial donation/investments in God’s work through the ministry outreaches. Your partnership helps us each month to lead new people to Jesus, strengthen and encourage many people in their faith and service to the Lord, as well as to help the poor in a variety of ways. We always pray & trust the Lord to reward you for your help. This 1st picture is of our Eternal Life Ministries church in Culaba that I visited in August. It is on Biliran island and is about a 5 hour round trip drive from Tacloban. Our sons John and Hugh came with me and John interpreted for me during the sermon. They were surprised and happy when we arrived. The members shared they were encouraged by the message. We had a good time of fellowship with Pastor TJ and his wife, as well as the elders and members.

This 2nd picture is of the congregation of our church in Canavid, on the eastern side of Samar island. It is about a 7 hour RT drive to this church. Pastor Dodong interpreted the message and the members were also encouraged. Both of these are located in semi-remote areas and are like lighthouses, a place where lost souls can come to know Jesus.

ACTS 1:8 ”but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth This picture of the waterfalls with Hugh and John is located about a 20 minute drive from the Culaba church. There is a new road leading to it and it was the first time we have been there. It is a beautiful place. In the 2nd picture, some of the children at the Canavid church are happily singing a song to the congregation.

The 3rd picture is of several of the mothers picking out clothing items from a Box of cloths shipped to us in Tacloban. Many members from the remote churches are from low income families in a poorer nation. They were really happy and excited to receive the clothing items for their children as well as some for themselves.

Over-all the churches are doing well, some are growing, others maintaining, and a few have slightly lower attendance as some members move to Manila to find work and some youth go to college. Many of the damaged churches have had significant repair after the damage in the Haiyan Super typhoon last November, but a few still are in need of repair.

The Sunday morning radio broadcasts are continuing to reach new people for Jesus./ Tacloban City and the surrounding areas have recovered about 68% in the past 10&1/2 months since the super typhoon struck. There are still many poor in need for housing and we have been working with an agency that helps provide several shelter repair kits, each with enough materials for building a small house. Step by step this area is continuing to recover from the strongest typhoon to ever make landfall in recorded history & we thank God for His help. He is an ever present help in times of trouble.

In the bottom picture on the left, is Emie holding Hugh’s hand up on his 13th birthday, on August 28th. He is growing taller and doing pretty well as a freshman in High School. He can play the guitar a little now and has sung solo songs twice in our church services. The next picture is of myself with Joy, Faith, and Hope on their 9th birthday---September 18th. Noreen wanted to be in the picture, she will be 4 in November. The triplets are in the 3rd grade. Joy continues to do very well in school except for math. Faith and Hope continue to struggle some in their schooling and we are hoping to see improvement. Faith & Hope sang songs at 2 church services, they did well.

Thank-You again for your prayers and helping us in missions. God bless you always. Gordon & Emie Please continue to pray for us: for God’s continued wisdom, direction, fruitfulness, protection, healing, and provision for the ministry outreaches and for our family. Your prayers & help are appreciated

Philippines Typhoon Tacloban City update

God’s Good Plan Issue No.255 January 17th 2013 Jeremiah 29:11AMP “For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.”

John 10:10 AMP “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” --Jesus

Luke 4:18-19 & 21“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” --Jesus

Dear Friends, Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus---our mutual Savior & Lord. We pray the Lord greatly blesses, encourages, and strengthens you this New Year of 2014. Thank-you so much for your prayers and help to us in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for God to richly reward you for your faithful partnership in helping us reach the lost for Jesus. It was a great blessing to visit our family and fellowship with several of you while Emie and I were in the States. We hope to be back sometime in 2015 and also to see some of you here if you visit.

Emie and I are in Manila now, we just arrived after nearly15 hours of combined flying time to Japan & then Manila. On the trip from Japan to Manila we experienced significant turbulence for about one hour + and it was enough to get your attention and enhance your prayer life. It was a blessing to arrive safely in Manila. We are scheduled to fly back to Tacloban on the 18th, and will minister at the Sunday church service and then proceed to visit our kids in Calbayog city.

With God’s help we will begin one step at a time to repair and rebuild the church buildings, parsonages, and our mission’s compound that were struck by the super typhoon in November. We will continue to evangelize, and exhort and encourage fellow Christians, and help the poor as led and enabled by the Holy Spirit.

In Hebrews 10:36 NLT it says: Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. When any of us face challenges or adversities in life, we need to press on and do what the lord has called us to do.

In the Tacoma News Tribune on December 25th there was a front page AP news update on Tacloban City. This was 6 weeks after the typhoon and it included some very sad stories about people who lost loved ones. They were continuing to recover bodies buried in the rubble.

In regards repair of properties, it was happening slowly. City officials informed the news people that of the 4,000. Businesses devastated by the typhoon, only 5% had reopened.

Franklin Graham and Samaritan Purse came to Tacloban they helped. He wrote in his December update: “I just returned from the Philippines where I saw first-hand the massive destruction caused by Typhoon Hayian. This was one of the strongest storms in history and left two million people homeless---more than the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina combined.

The destruction was the worst from a storm that I have ever seen. Entire towns were reduced to a piles of sticks. It is hard to imagine how anyone survived.

……Most of the media have now gone, and there are fewer agencies on the ground than you might expect for a disaster of this magnitude. As the story fades from the headlines, please don’t forget to pray for the people of the Philippines.”

“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.” ---Isaiah 58:12 {Our God is a God of repair, restoration, renewal, and salvation} In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. –I Peter 5:10

We arrived back in Tacloban City on Jan 18th. The next day was Sunday and at the service we had several new people come forward to receive Jesus as their Savior & Lord, and 3 came forward for other needs.

Emie and I and the ministry team are continuing to preach the gospel, make disciples, and help the poor as led by the Lord.

We arrived back in Tacloban City on Jan 18th. The next day was Sunday and at the service we had several new people come forward to receive Jesus as their Savior & Lord, and 3 came forward for other needs.

Emie and I and the ministry team are continuing to preach the gospel, make disciples, and help the poor as led by the Lord.

This 1st picture is of part of the electrical power poles and wires today, in our subdivision 2& ½ months after the super typhoon. The 2nd one is of pastor Leo’s parsonage in Calbiga, Samar and the 3rd is of Pastor Roger’s parsonage and kitchen area in Bato, Biliran.

Shortly before leaving the States, I called our son John and asked for the pastors in our churches outside Tacloban, which ones needed help. Out of 22 pastors, 13 wrote requests for help in repairing or rebuilding either their church building, parsonage, or Sunday school building. Many do not have a camera but I was sent the 2 photos shown here. Most of these churches are located in small rural areas that are poor. They can provide the labor to rebuild but have very little money for materials. Please pray for them and for the Lord to touch the hearts people to help with the rebuilding and repair. We will be sending pictures of the repairs and reconstruction when done.

Emie and I would like to repeat our sincere thanks to each of you who are partnering with us in reaching people for Jesus. God bless you all in new and special ways this New Year. In His Love, Gordon & Emie

P.S Please Pray: For God to grant us--a fresh anointing, total healing and good health, special protection, abundant provision, and all else needed to preach the gospel, make disciples, and help the poor as led by the Lord.

Finances: The costs for materials for repair given to us by the pastors was from a low of $400 to a high of $2,000. The medium average was about $885. Any special help for them is greatly appreciated.

TWO WAYS TO GIVE !! 1.) go to the blog and give using pay pal. 2.) go to the blog and mail a check to the address provided. God Bless