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
