PSALM 31:24 “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
PSALM 43:5 “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
HEBREWS 6:18-19 “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
We who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as a secure anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
ROMANS 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scripture we might have hope.”
Word Wealth: Hope (elpis) Hope, not in the sense of an optimistic outlook or wishful thinking without any solid foundation, but in the sense of confident expectation based on certainty. Biblical hope rests on God’s promises, particularly those pertaining to Christ’s return. So certain is the future of the redeemed that the NT sometimes speaks of future events in the past tense.
Dear Friends,
Emie and I send you warm greetings once again. We pray that God will continue to encourage & strengthen you, and bring you comfort and peace. May all of our hope and confidence in Him, grow greater and greater. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” ---I Corinthians 1:3
WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THANKS TO EACH OF YOU WHO ARE PARTNERING WITH US IN REACHING PEOPLE FOR JESUS-----On behalf of the pastors and members of 16 churches Eternal Life Ministries is helping to establish, and the street and squatter area children we have fed and shared the gospel with over the years, on behalf of the people who have heard the gospel preached in a variety of ways and the many who received Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and on behalf of many poor adults and children who have received food, clothing, medical and other help, and also been shared the gospel of Jesus Christ---- literally on the behalf of several thousands of people through the years----Thank-You and God Bless You in many special ways. “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown towards His name, in that you have ministered to His saints and do minister.” ---Hebrews 6:10 Your prayers, encouragement, and financial investments in helping share the gospel; has been and is very important to the fruitfulness of the ministry outreaches, and is really appreciated.
Do you ever talk to yourself? I’ve heard some people say that talking to yourself is okay but be careful not to answer. However in the second Scripture on the top of the page not only is the Psalmist asking himself a question, but also he is answering himself so-to-speak. It is basically the spirit of the man encouraging his own soul to stop looking at the circumstances and start looking to God. All the top verses deal with hope---the real hope we can have in all situations and circumstances when we put our trust and confidence in God.
The verses point to a personal and loving God---who knows each of us---who really loves us----and is totally able and willing to help us in all areas of our lives. There are troubles in this world, and at times in each of our lives we will face some challenges. There is an old secular saying that when the going gets tough---the tough get going, but as a Christian I would have to say that when the going gets tough---the wise---go to God, and partner with Him. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. –Isaiah 41:10 God will give you the victory.
We gave 51 meals to squatter area children and a few poor adults this morning.
These Saturday feeding outreaches are much appreciated by the children. Most all of them have prayed to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. They sing songs of praise and worship, learn from stories in the Bible, and learn how to pray to the Lord for His help in their lives. This is a simple outreach, but they really look forward to gathering together and several of the kids really expressed thanks after receiving their food. “…Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of God”…Jesus “And He took them in His arms and laid His hands on them, and blessed them.” Mark 10:14b&16
I remember the songs I learned in Sunday school, “Jesus Loves the Little Children” and “Jesus Loves Me This I Know—For the Bible tells me so---Little ones to Him belong----They are weak, but He is strong.” I used to enjoy singing them as a child and knew in my heart they were true. Many of us enjoyed those songs and still do--and while we think of physically aged children when we hear these songs---it is also good to also remember, that even if we all live to be over 100 years old, we also---are still His kids, and He loves us, and He is strong.
“…I will never leave you nor forsake you.”---Jesus Hebrews 13:5b
We had 2 excellent conferences this week in Tacloban and had the pastors and some church workers from most of the 16 churches we are helping to establish come to attend. The first was a 2-day conference on Hermeneutics and Homiletics by Dr. Roy Verosa from Cebu. The second was given by Pastor Wayne Young from Florida. Both seminars were a blessing to those who attended in regards to being better equipped to interpret and preach and teach the Bible, and were also a time of strengthening and encouragement.
Earlier this month we were able to spend some time in ministry and fellowship with friends from California, Missionary/Evangelists: John and Glenda Marks. They came to evangelize and minister encouraging messages to different churches and were a blessing to many people in Leyte. Please pray for God’s blessings upon them and Dr. Roy Verosa, and Pastor Wayne Young.
During this 17th year of ministry in the Philippines and in other nations the Lord opens to us, please continue to pray for God to grant us wisdom, knowledge, fresh anointing, and clear vision for us---so we can be the most effective in all areas of ministry. Please also pray for God to give us strength, excellent health, and provide the finances needed to effectively do all the ministry outreaches He has called us to do. Prayer is the foundation for success in sharing the gospel and strengthening and encouraging the body of Christ. Genuine and committed prayer brings positive results. Your prayers are important.
“…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails (accomplishes) much.”---James 5:16b
We thank God for the privilege of sharing the gospel and seeing new people continuing to come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord; seeing people’s lives transformed by the Lord’s love and power; to see the poor helped in various ways as led by the Holy Spirit. We pray often for God to bless you, your families, and churches. Thanks again for helping us lead people to Jesus. We always trust God to reward you.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel…” Ruth 2:12 NIV
Thứ Tư, tháng 8 01, 2007
Thứ Tư, tháng 6 06, 2007
Thứ Năm, tháng 5 31, 2007
VIETNAM—THAILAND MISSIONS TRIP JUNE 1-14, 2007
VIETNAM—THAILAND MISSIONS TRIP
JUNE 1-14, 2007
MARK 1:38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
2 CORINTHIANS 10:16a “to preach the gospel in regions beyond you.”
DEUTERONOMY 28:6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.”
2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the God of all creation----bless and strengthen you in every way.
I would like to ask for your prayers for my family, and me as I go on a 2-week missions trip to Vietnam and Thailand, and possibly a short trip to Cambodia. I will be meeting another missionary friend named Ken Halvorson so please add him to your prayers also.
Please pray for all our safety in all areas, and for a productive and fruitful ministry trip that will lay the foundation for many more evangelistic and discipleship and helps ministry outreaches in the future that will result in thousands of people being saved in the years to come.
Please pray for fresh anointing and new life blessing messages to be given to us to share in all areas that the Lord opens the doors. Also please pray that the Lord will much quicker that expected multiply back to us 4 fold the finances that are invested in this missions outreach. It is our hope to have a healthy, abundant supply for every good work. This mission’s trip is a step of faith and we are believing God for special blessings and encouragement to the people of Vietnam and Thailand during this trip and Cambodia on this or a future trip.
Your prayers for this mission’s trip are really needed and please forward this request to any people you know who are fervent intercessors. Please also pray for the Lord’s specific leading, to touch people’s hearts to help in supplying all the finances for this mission’s trip and for others in the future as God opens the doors.
Thanks and God bless you always.
In Christ’s Love,
Gordon & Emie Kalich
JUNE 1-14, 2007
MARK 1:38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
2 CORINTHIANS 10:16a “to preach the gospel in regions beyond you.”
DEUTERONOMY 28:6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in and blessed shall you be when you go out.”
2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May the God of all creation----bless and strengthen you in every way.
I would like to ask for your prayers for my family, and me as I go on a 2-week missions trip to Vietnam and Thailand, and possibly a short trip to Cambodia. I will be meeting another missionary friend named Ken Halvorson so please add him to your prayers also.
Please pray for all our safety in all areas, and for a productive and fruitful ministry trip that will lay the foundation for many more evangelistic and discipleship and helps ministry outreaches in the future that will result in thousands of people being saved in the years to come.
Please pray for fresh anointing and new life blessing messages to be given to us to share in all areas that the Lord opens the doors. Also please pray that the Lord will much quicker that expected multiply back to us 4 fold the finances that are invested in this missions outreach. It is our hope to have a healthy, abundant supply for every good work. This mission’s trip is a step of faith and we are believing God for special blessings and encouragement to the people of Vietnam and Thailand during this trip and Cambodia on this or a future trip.
Your prayers for this mission’s trip are really needed and please forward this request to any people you know who are fervent intercessors. Please also pray for the Lord’s specific leading, to touch people’s hearts to help in supplying all the finances for this mission’s trip and for others in the future as God opens the doors.
Thanks and God bless you always.
In Christ’s Love,
Gordon & Emie Kalich
Thứ Bảy, tháng 5 12, 2007
April 2007 Newsletter
JOHN 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6&7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
ISAIAH 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:6&7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
ISAIAH 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
2 THESSALONIANS 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to you all, in the wonderful name of Jesus. May God truly fill your hearts and minds with the peace described in the above Scriptures. Our Savior is the God of all comfort. He is the faithful God----who promises us-----a future and a hope.
We live in a troubled world and also will have personal trials in life. Many times the news we read about and see on TV is not encouraging news but discouraging news. In our personal lives we will face challenges as well. The question is, “How will we respond to these problems and challenges?
Jesus has exhorts us to not let our hearts be troubled nor afraid. He cautions us not to be weighted down with dissipation and the anxieties of life. Jesus said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus did not say that we might have tribulation, (from the Greek word thlipsis meaning: pressure, stress, adversity, affliction, etc.) He said we all, would at times experience tribulation in this world, and then encourages us to be cheerful about it because He has overcome the world.
For me and in observing most people---it seems more natural to be cheerful when things are going smoothly and well, and not so cheerful when there are major bumps in the road. But I believe that Jesus is calling us to a supernatural response and of our own personal will---based on the reality of Who Jesus is and what He has done and promised----to choose to be of good cheer and choose to accept His peace, and be confident that in Christ we will ultimately have the victory. JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND IS TODAY, AND WILL BE IN THE FUTURE----BIGGER THAN ANY PROBLEM, ISSUE, OR CHALLENGE YOU OR I WILL EVER FACE. --------------And the good news is, He is on our side and will help us.
This week we held a special youth camp at the Bible college campus in Dulag, Leyte. Young people (teens to early twenties) came from the churches we have helped pioneer and establish on the main islands of Leyte and Samar, and the smaller island of Biliran. It started Monday Evening and finished on Wednesday evening. The first day we had 138 youth register and by the next day with a few registering late, we had a total of 149 young people register and attend the camp. This was our first major youth camp for the Eternal Life Ministries---Christian Fellowship Center churches. There were good praise & worship services and the sharing of encouraging messages and practical life lessons from the Bible; there was good fellowship, fun contests and games. By Wednesday night, new people had come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and many came forward during the evening alter call to commit their lives to serve
God faithfully, and to do their best to fulfill God’s call on their individual lives.
These types of camps take a lot of investment of time and energy on the part of Emie, myself, the pastors and volunteer workers of the churches. We had 74% of youth who were able to pay a registration fee and 26% who were only able to attend by scholarship. Of the fees received from youth, approximately 50% of costs were paid and Eternal Life Ministries covered the other 50% to make this Regional Youth Camp a reality. What a positive use of time, energy, talent, and finances. When we invest in reaching the youth for Jesus---we are investing in the present as well as the future. Just like in a track relay race, there will be the time when we pass on the baton to the next runners---the new generation.
PROVERBS 22:6 “Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
I TIMOTHY 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
The last Sunday of March, I traveled to Zumaraga Island to speak at the 1st anniversary of an extension church in the small village of Mabuti. It was a very special meeting and guest from other islands attended as well.
While I was there, Emie was in Tacloban at a special meeting with most of the Christian Churches in the city. It was held in the new Astro dome (as they call it in the city) and between 3,000 to 4,000 attended.
On the 10th April, Emie and I drove to the Canavid church to attend and preach during their church anniversary service. It is about a 3& ½ hour drive each way. There were a few guests from other churches, and the meeting was a blessing to many people.
A week ago, a friend of ours from the States came to visit. and minister. His name is Doug Majsa. Doug was able to minister to our squatter area children, main church on Sunday, and preach a message of encouragement to the youth on Tuesday night. Doug had well prepared messages and was a blessing to those he ministered to.
THANK-YOU once more for your friendship, prayers, and financial investments in the ministry outreaches here in the Philippine’s, and elsewhere. We pray that God greatly blesses and rewards you
In His love,
Gordon & Emie
Warm greetings to you all, in the wonderful name of Jesus. May God truly fill your hearts and minds with the peace described in the above Scriptures. Our Savior is the God of all comfort. He is the faithful God----who promises us-----a future and a hope.
We live in a troubled world and also will have personal trials in life. Many times the news we read about and see on TV is not encouraging news but discouraging news. In our personal lives we will face challenges as well. The question is, “How will we respond to these problems and challenges?
Jesus has exhorts us to not let our hearts be troubled nor afraid. He cautions us not to be weighted down with dissipation and the anxieties of life. Jesus said in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me, you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus did not say that we might have tribulation, (from the Greek word thlipsis meaning: pressure, stress, adversity, affliction, etc.) He said we all, would at times experience tribulation in this world, and then encourages us to be cheerful about it because He has overcome the world.
For me and in observing most people---it seems more natural to be cheerful when things are going smoothly and well, and not so cheerful when there are major bumps in the road. But I believe that Jesus is calling us to a supernatural response and of our own personal will---based on the reality of Who Jesus is and what He has done and promised----to choose to be of good cheer and choose to accept His peace, and be confident that in Christ we will ultimately have the victory. JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND IS TODAY, AND WILL BE IN THE FUTURE----BIGGER THAN ANY PROBLEM, ISSUE, OR CHALLENGE YOU OR I WILL EVER FACE. --------------And the good news is, He is on our side and will help us.
This week we held a special youth camp at the Bible college campus in Dulag, Leyte. Young people (teens to early twenties) came from the churches we have helped pioneer and establish on the main islands of Leyte and Samar, and the smaller island of Biliran. It started Monday Evening and finished on Wednesday evening. The first day we had 138 youth register and by the next day with a few registering late, we had a total of 149 young people register and attend the camp. This was our first major youth camp for the Eternal Life Ministries---Christian Fellowship Center churches. There were good praise & worship services and the sharing of encouraging messages and practical life lessons from the Bible; there was good fellowship, fun contests and games. By Wednesday night, new people had come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and many came forward during the evening alter call to commit their lives to serve
God faithfully, and to do their best to fulfill God’s call on their individual lives.
These types of camps take a lot of investment of time and energy on the part of Emie, myself, the pastors and volunteer workers of the churches. We had 74% of youth who were able to pay a registration fee and 26% who were only able to attend by scholarship. Of the fees received from youth, approximately 50% of costs were paid and Eternal Life Ministries covered the other 50% to make this Regional Youth Camp a reality. What a positive use of time, energy, talent, and finances. When we invest in reaching the youth for Jesus---we are investing in the present as well as the future. Just like in a track relay race, there will be the time when we pass on the baton to the next runners---the new generation.
PROVERBS 22:6 “Train a child up in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
I TIMOTHY 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
The last Sunday of March, I traveled to Zumaraga Island to speak at the 1st anniversary of an extension church in the small village of Mabuti. It was a very special meeting and guest from other islands attended as well.
While I was there, Emie was in Tacloban at a special meeting with most of the Christian Churches in the city. It was held in the new Astro dome (as they call it in the city) and between 3,000 to 4,000 attended.
On the 10th April, Emie and I drove to the Canavid church to attend and preach during their church anniversary service. It is about a 3& ½ hour drive each way. There were a few guests from other churches, and the meeting was a blessing to many people.
A week ago, a friend of ours from the States came to visit. and minister. His name is Doug Majsa. Doug was able to minister to our squatter area children, main church on Sunday, and preach a message of encouragement to the youth on Tuesday night. Doug had well prepared messages and was a blessing to those he ministered to.
THANK-YOU once more for your friendship, prayers, and financial investments in the ministry outreaches here in the Philippine’s, and elsewhere. We pray that God greatly blesses and rewards you
In His love,
Gordon & Emie
Thứ Tư, tháng 4 04, 2007
Philippine Missions for Jesus, issue 172
AMAZING GRACE ISSUE NO. 172
MARCH 22nd, 2007
EPHESIANS 1:7 & 8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding.
PSALM 94:17-19 ”Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping.’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
TITUS 3:7 “So that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to you once again, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for each of you---that God will help you, strengthen you, and encourage you in all areas of your life and ministry. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you…” ---Jeremiah 1:5a &b
God created the all the universe, and it is amazing. He also----in His wisdom, grace, and love----created you and me. Some of us may be like the Psalmist who makes a statement and then understandably asks a question: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” ---Psalm 9:3&4
One of the most well know Christian songs is “Amazing Grace”. The common definition of grace is “unmerited favor and undeserved blessing”. God grants us grace because of His immense love for us. It is said that light travels at a speed of 186,000. miles per second or about 5.88 trillion miles per year. In the know Universe we have gotten (via the Hubble telescope in outer space) pictures of galaxies which are more than 30 million light years away (30 million times 5.88 trillion miles away.) Yet the Scriptures state: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” ---Psalm 103:11&12
God’s love is beyond our ability to fully understand; and to say His grace is truly amazing, it is the truth,--but it is still an understatement. Based upon the foundation of God’s love and grace---He created us and chose us and appointed us. Jesus said:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” ---John 15:16
It is hard to know how to adequately put into words the response we should have to God for His love and grace---but a very big “thank-You” is a good start, as well as is the recognition what an honor and blessing it is to serve Him. He is the only light and hope of the world.
Emie and I have mentioned this to you before, but before starting to share a few of the results of the ministry outreaches this past month----we would simply like to once again convey our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your partnership in helping us share the gospel of Jesus Christ with many people. Several thousand people have come to know Jesus as Savior & Lord.
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2, it is written: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a great light has shined.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just one of several answers to the problems of mankind----Jesus is The Answer.
(We continue to pray that God richly blesses & rewards you for your teamwork with us in sharing the gospel.)
A few weeks ago a small group of us traveled to visit a small, native Bajao Muslim tribe located a 2+-hour drive from Tacloban. They live on the seacoast, in bamboo houses, which are built on stilts. We had come to give them gifts of cloths and toys for their children; and to share
with them about Jesus. Access to their homes on the narrow bamboo walkway is usually blocked to outsiders but because our friends Pastor Mario and his wife Nelly have established a good relationship with the Bajao, we were welcome to visit. The Bajao tribal groups fled their island of Mindanao during violent conflict years ago and are scattered in different parts of the Philippines. They have their own native language but the group we visited does speak the Filipino language of Cebuano, which was what was used to communicate with them.
Peter Girdlestone, (our missionary friend from Australia) shared the gospel with them and Emie interpreted. They listened attentively and several of them prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. While Peter had been sharing with them, his wife Hope had been ministering fruitfully to the residents who were in the regular Filipino village nearby.
When we distributed cloths and toys (shipped by our friends in California, Timothy II Ministries) the Bajao children and mothers, and the few men who were there----they all were very happy and thankful. These people are very poor, and just that one sizable box of gifts, given to them that day in the name of Jesus---may have been more that they had ever received in their lives. Our hearts were really touched by the Lord during that visit. It was a great blessing to be able to give to them----both of the spiritual and the physical. Pastora Nerry is following up with ministry visitation. She is from our Church in Baybay, which is located about 8 miles from the village.
The following weekend, Peter and I traveled to Biliran Island and made short visits to the Palarao, Looc, and Cabucgayan churches, and ministered Saturday night at the Caibiran church and Sunday morning to the church in Culaba. The results were positive from these visits and people were strengthened and encouraged in their Christian lives. On the way home I stopped at the Naval hospital and donated many surgical instruments to them and the staff there were surprised and very pleased.
The above are a few of the ministry outreaches. Most every week, there are new people coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Children’s feeding ministry continues weekly, the Sunday radio broadcast is having a positive impact on people all over the major islands of Leyte, Biliran, and Samar---as well as smaller islands. The churches we have helped pioneer and establish in Region 8 are continuing to try and reach their communities for Jesus.
Your sincere & effective prayers, words of encouragement, financial investments to help God’s work through the ministry outreaches; all combined are a tremendous help to the mission outreaches. God bless you always for your friendship and faithful partnership in helping us reach people for Jesus. People are being saved.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
“…the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16b L.B.
PLEASE PRAY: for God’s blessings on all our health, for His clear guidance and fresh anointing, for His powerful protection in all areas and circumstances, and for His abundant provision for all needs of the ministry outreaches, and for all areas the Lord puts on your heart. Thanks
MARCH 22nd, 2007
EPHESIANS 1:7 & 8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance
with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished upon us with all wisdom and understanding.
PSALM 94:17-19 ”Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, ‘My foot is slipping.’ Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
TITUS 3:7 “So that having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to you once again, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We continue to pray for each of you---that God will help you, strengthen you, and encourage you in all areas of your life and ministry. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you…” ---Jeremiah 1:5a &b
God created the all the universe, and it is amazing. He also----in His wisdom, grace, and love----created you and me. Some of us may be like the Psalmist who makes a statement and then understandably asks a question: “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” ---Psalm 9:3&4
One of the most well know Christian songs is “Amazing Grace”. The common definition of grace is “unmerited favor and undeserved blessing”. God grants us grace because of His immense love for us. It is said that light travels at a speed of 186,000. miles per second or about 5.88 trillion miles per year. In the know Universe we have gotten (via the Hubble telescope in outer space) pictures of galaxies which are more than 30 million light years away (30 million times 5.88 trillion miles away.) Yet the Scriptures state: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” ---Psalm 103:11&12
God’s love is beyond our ability to fully understand; and to say His grace is truly amazing, it is the truth,--but it is still an understatement. Based upon the foundation of God’s love and grace---He created us and chose us and appointed us. Jesus said:
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” ---John 15:16
It is hard to know how to adequately put into words the response we should have to God for His love and grace---but a very big “thank-You” is a good start, as well as is the recognition what an honor and blessing it is to serve Him. He is the only light and hope of the world.
Emie and I have mentioned this to you before, but before starting to share a few of the results of the ministry outreaches this past month----we would simply like to once again convey our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your partnership in helping us share the gospel of Jesus Christ with many people. Several thousand people have come to know Jesus as Savior & Lord.
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, verse 2, it is written: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a great light has shined.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just one of several answers to the problems of mankind----Jesus is The Answer.
(We continue to pray that God richly blesses & rewards you for your teamwork with us in sharing the gospel.)
A few weeks ago a small group of us traveled to visit a small, native Bajao Muslim tribe located a 2+-hour drive from Tacloban. They live on the seacoast, in bamboo houses, which are built on stilts. We had come to give them gifts of cloths and toys for their children; and to share
with them about Jesus. Access to their homes on the narrow bamboo walkway is usually blocked to outsiders but because our friends Pastor Mario and his wife Nelly have established a good relationship with the Bajao, we were welcome to visit. The Bajao tribal groups fled their island of Mindanao during violent conflict years ago and are scattered in different parts of the Philippines. They have their own native language but the group we visited does speak the Filipino language of Cebuano, which was what was used to communicate with them.
Peter Girdlestone, (our missionary friend from Australia) shared the gospel with them and Emie interpreted. They listened attentively and several of them prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. While Peter had been sharing with them, his wife Hope had been ministering fruitfully to the residents who were in the regular Filipino village nearby.
When we distributed cloths and toys (shipped by our friends in California, Timothy II Ministries) the Bajao children and mothers, and the few men who were there----they all were very happy and thankful. These people are very poor, and just that one sizable box of gifts, given to them that day in the name of Jesus---may have been more that they had ever received in their lives. Our hearts were really touched by the Lord during that visit. It was a great blessing to be able to give to them----both of the spiritual and the physical. Pastora Nerry is following up with ministry visitation. She is from our Church in Baybay, which is located about 8 miles from the village.
The following weekend, Peter and I traveled to Biliran Island and made short visits to the Palarao, Looc, and Cabucgayan churches, and ministered Saturday night at the Caibiran church and Sunday morning to the church in Culaba. The results were positive from these visits and people were strengthened and encouraged in their Christian lives. On the way home I stopped at the Naval hospital and donated many surgical instruments to them and the staff there were surprised and very pleased.
The above are a few of the ministry outreaches. Most every week, there are new people coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Children’s feeding ministry continues weekly, the Sunday radio broadcast is having a positive impact on people all over the major islands of Leyte, Biliran, and Samar---as well as smaller islands. The churches we have helped pioneer and establish in Region 8 are continuing to try and reach their communities for Jesus.
Your sincere & effective prayers, words of encouragement, financial investments to help God’s work through the ministry outreaches; all combined are a tremendous help to the mission outreaches. God bless you always for your friendship and faithful partnership in helping us reach people for Jesus. People are being saved.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
“…the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16b L.B.
PLEASE PRAY: for God’s blessings on all our health, for His clear guidance and fresh anointing, for His powerful protection in all areas and circumstances, and for His abundant provision for all needs of the ministry outreaches, and for all areas the Lord puts on your heart. Thanks
Thứ Tư, tháng 3 14, 2007
Thứ Ba, tháng 2 27, 2007
Philippines Missions - Psalm 105:4
Then He said to them, “the harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Luke 10:2 -----Jesus
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus. We pray the Lord will richly bless you today and always. “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” ---Psalm 105:4
Many of us live very lives filled with much activity and we live in a world that has its fair share of problems. When a major storm hits a location, there is what is called: “the eye of the storm” and in that area it is relatively calm. But in time as the storm moves on the full blast of the winds hit again. However, when the storms of life hit---there is an area where there remains safety and protection and peace---if we will but stay there. It is in the center of God’s will for our lives.
Jesus said in: Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken to a wise man who built his house on the rock.; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded upon the rock.” Jesus also said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Last night, my wife Emie, and our missionary friends from Australia drove 40 minutes to attend a pre-funeral service of the father of one of our church members named Felix. In the Philippines they have several nights of gatherings at the home of the deceased prior to the main funeral. We had time last night to share a comforting word from the Scriptures, as well as a message of salvation, to the family and friends. Afterwards, several people prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. During that time of gathering in memory of the one who had died----eternal life was imparted to those who just that night received Jesus.
Earlier this month, Pastor Teddy from Biliran island and Pastor Jing were able to distribute gifts of snacks, cloths & soap to 68 prisoners in the Naval jail and share the gospel with them. They really appreciated receiving the helpful material gifts, and many of them received the most precious gift of all---SALVATION. They asked Jesus into their heart. There are ministry workers in the area that will continue to visit and minister to them. Matthew 25:36b “…I was in prison and you came to visit Me”
In our weekly children’s feeding (physical& spiritual) outreach to the urban poor children in Tacloban many are being blessed. Normal attendance on these Saturday morning outreaches is mid thirties to mid forties. Over the years we have distributed several thousand meals, seen many children come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and helped them learn basic truths from the Bible to help them in their lives.
Matthew 19:14a And Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto Me,”
On Tuesday, Feb. 13th Emie and I and Peter and Hope left Tacloban at 6:00 A.M. to drive semi-good and semi-quite bad road to Borongan Eastern Samar and then further to Canavid where we have a church, and then a drove different route over the mountain road to arrive home late that night at about 10:30 P.M. There were ministry related matters that had to be accomplished at the government offices in that area as well as a ministry visitation to Pastor Arnel and others at the Canavid church. We traveled 446 kilometers on that trip and for those reading this who has ever been on bad roads in the Philippines, you can relate to the effort it takes to drive here at times. Many pot holes, broken up sections in the concrete highways and some side sections fallen off into ravines. But we had fruitful trip and thank the Lord for the safety He provided.
Pastor Arnel shared with us that after their Sunday service in Canavid, 2 people received water baptism in the Pacific Ocean, which Eastern Samar borders on. They also were preparing for a special Valentines Day youth program for Wednesday evening, which would both minister to the Christian youth and be an evangelistic outreach as well.
As led by the Lord we provide help to people in various ways, such as food, clothing, medical, etc., as led by the Holy Spirit. We also help various ministries at times with some financial donations, which are modest by American standards but are a real help over here. I would just like to share just 3 testimonies. In the past year we have helped on a few occasions an elderly lady named “Nanay” (Grandma) Josepa Machado who worked in another organization’s children ministry most of her life. She has no retirement income and now lives (on an island far from here) with relatives of very modest means. She really is thankful to the Lord for using us to help.
Last week I delivered a donation to a Children’s ministry organization, CEF, late in the afternoon and Regie, the lady at the office was very surprised and happy. She said: “The Lord has really surprised me today.” This last Monday I wired a donation to a Filipino film evangelist named Nick Conson who works on the large island of Mindanao. He also was surprised and happy. He texted me: “Thank you Very much Brother, you are such a Blessing to us…Really God answers my Prayers today through you.”
It is always a great blessing, when one feels led by the Lord to help in an area and is able to deliver a surprise blessing---and then find out from the one who receives, that they had a specific need that they had been praying to God for---and you are the one God used to answer there prayer.
Emie and I pray that the Lord greatly blesses you in all areas your lives. Thank-you for your prayers and financial investments in helping us share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:2 -----Jesus
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus. We pray the Lord will richly bless you today and always. “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” ---Psalm 105:4
Many of us live very lives filled with much activity and we live in a world that has its fair share of problems. When a major storm hits a location, there is what is called: “the eye of the storm” and in that area it is relatively calm. But in time as the storm moves on the full blast of the winds hit again. However, when the storms of life hit---there is an area where there remains safety and protection and peace---if we will but stay there. It is in the center of God’s will for our lives.
Jesus said in: Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken to a wise man who built his house on the rock.; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded upon the rock.” Jesus also said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Last night, my wife Emie, and our missionary friends from Australia drove 40 minutes to attend a pre-funeral service of the father of one of our church members named Felix. In the Philippines they have several nights of gatherings at the home of the deceased prior to the main funeral. We had time last night to share a comforting word from the Scriptures, as well as a message of salvation, to the family and friends. Afterwards, several people prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and Lord. During that time of gathering in memory of the one who had died----eternal life was imparted to those who just that night received Jesus.
Earlier this month, Pastor Teddy from Biliran island and Pastor Jing were able to distribute gifts of snacks, cloths & soap to 68 prisoners in the Naval jail and share the gospel with them. They really appreciated receiving the helpful material gifts, and many of them received the most precious gift of all---SALVATION. They asked Jesus into their heart. There are ministry workers in the area that will continue to visit and minister to them. Matthew 25:36b “…I was in prison and you came to visit Me”
In our weekly children’s feeding (physical& spiritual) outreach to the urban poor children in Tacloban many are being blessed. Normal attendance on these Saturday morning outreaches is mid thirties to mid forties. Over the years we have distributed several thousand meals, seen many children come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and helped them learn basic truths from the Bible to help them in their lives.
Matthew 19:14a And Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto Me,”
On Tuesday, Feb. 13th Emie and I and Peter and Hope left Tacloban at 6:00 A.M. to drive semi-good and semi-quite bad road to Borongan Eastern Samar and then further to Canavid where we have a church, and then a drove different route over the mountain road to arrive home late that night at about 10:30 P.M. There were ministry related matters that had to be accomplished at the government offices in that area as well as a ministry visitation to Pastor Arnel and others at the Canavid church. We traveled 446 kilometers on that trip and for those reading this who has ever been on bad roads in the Philippines, you can relate to the effort it takes to drive here at times. Many pot holes, broken up sections in the concrete highways and some side sections fallen off into ravines. But we had fruitful trip and thank the Lord for the safety He provided.
Pastor Arnel shared with us that after their Sunday service in Canavid, 2 people received water baptism in the Pacific Ocean, which Eastern Samar borders on. They also were preparing for a special Valentines Day youth program for Wednesday evening, which would both minister to the Christian youth and be an evangelistic outreach as well.
As led by the Lord we provide help to people in various ways, such as food, clothing, medical, etc., as led by the Holy Spirit. We also help various ministries at times with some financial donations, which are modest by American standards but are a real help over here. I would just like to share just 3 testimonies. In the past year we have helped on a few occasions an elderly lady named “Nanay” (Grandma) Josepa Machado who worked in another organization’s children ministry most of her life. She has no retirement income and now lives (on an island far from here) with relatives of very modest means. She really is thankful to the Lord for using us to help.
Last week I delivered a donation to a Children’s ministry organization, CEF, late in the afternoon and Regie, the lady at the office was very surprised and happy. She said: “The Lord has really surprised me today.” This last Monday I wired a donation to a Filipino film evangelist named Nick Conson who works on the large island of Mindanao. He also was surprised and happy. He texted me: “Thank you Very much Brother, you are such a Blessing to us…Really God answers my Prayers today through you.”
It is always a great blessing, when one feels led by the Lord to help in an area and is able to deliver a surprise blessing---and then find out from the one who receives, that they had a specific need that they had been praying to God for---and you are the one God used to answer there prayer.
Emie and I pray that the Lord greatly blesses you in all areas your lives. Thank-you for your prayers and financial investments in helping us share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thứ Ba, tháng 1 23, 2007
THANK YOU JESUS ISSUE # 170
THANK-YOU JESUS. ISSUE NO. 170
JANUARY 22, 2007
Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie, though it tarries, wait for it; because it will come, it will not tarry.”
Isaiah 46:9b, 10 & 11b “…I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’ …Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
Romans 4:20&21 “He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings once again to each of you, in the precious name of Jesus.
Emie and I pray that the Lord will begin bringing about the fulfillment this year of special requests you have made through prayers and of promises you have received from Him.
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”---Luke 1:37
We are very thankful to God for the honor and privilege of serving Him in the mission field. Most every week, new people are coming to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord in the various outreaches here in the Philippines, and it is a blessing to see new people’s lives transformed and blessed by Jesus.
I believe that effective missions start first with a specific call of God to certain areas to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is then advanced and becomes increasingly fruitful as those who are willing to go and those who are willing to help send---form a faithful team effort to reach people for Jesus. Emie and I try to say: “thanks”, frequently to all of you who are partnering with us through your intercessory prayers, words of encouragement, and financial investments in the various ministry outreaches. Many people know Jesus as their Savior and Lord because of you, and the heart the Lord has given you for helping share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We continue to pray for God’s blessings in all areas---for you, your family, local church, and your ministries. Hebrews 6:10 NIV “God is not unjust, He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
We ended 2006 with a Church anniversary service on Sunday Afternoon and despite the heavy rain on Saturday evening, and some flooded streets on Sunday---we still had a good number of people in Church and had a special time of fellowship. Many youth stayed over night at the church and missions building—and we greeted the New Year together. I was thinking while observing them as the New Year came in---that many of these young, if they have a good lifespan would have 50 to 70+ years yet to serve the Lord on this earth. That is why it is so important and such a good investment of our time and energy to teach the young to grow in their Christian faith and maturity.
In early December we has 11 students graduate from their 5 month Bible School Training course. They were from churches in Leyte, Biliran Island, and Samar. They came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord as the result of the churches we have helped pioneer in their respective towns or villages. They are now back in their local churches helping work with their pastors in evangelism and Bible studies. We have 4 other students attending longer term Bible Colleges at this present time.
On the 1st Sunday of 2007 we had a well attended church service and 10 people were baptized in water in Leyte Gulf in the afternoon. What a good way to start out the New Year. Most of those who were baptized were people who had prayed to receive Jesus as their Savor and Lord as a result of our Sunday morning Radio broadcast the reaches over most of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran islands. We are able to share the gospel to several thousand people throughout region 8 through that broadcast.
Last month we shared we had had 3 churches damaged by the typhoon, which hit our region. They are still in the process of being repaired and/or expanded, and in one case a new building will be constructed. Thanks, for you who have helped us to help the churches which are in need. We have also been able to help people with various medical needs, and in other areas.
Last Friday, the 19th, we were guest speakers at the Caibiran church where they were having an annual Thanksgiving Service. That evening, youth who came from some of the churches we have helped pioneer, had an overnight praise and worship and teaching service that lasted till past 3:00 A.M. More than 100 attended. We are happy to see youth who are growing in their faith and relationship with Christ.
We pray this year will be the most fruitful year of ministry we have ever had. We also hope to minister in several other nations. Please continue to pray for us in all areas as led by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18&19 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints---and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make know the mystery of the gospel.”
Thanks again for your faithful partnership in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. God bless you wonderfully.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
P.S. Please pray specifically for the Lord to open new doors for ministry this year in other countries, for His special protection, fresh anointing, abundant financial provision, and increasing fruitfulness in all areas of ministry. Please pray for 100 + new fervent and effective
JANUARY 22, 2007
Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie, though it tarries, wait for it; because it will come, it will not tarry.”
Isaiah 46:9b, 10 & 11b “…I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’ …Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it, I will also do it.”
Romans 4:20&21 “He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings once again to each of you, in the precious name of Jesus.
Emie and I pray that the Lord will begin bringing about the fulfillment this year of special requests you have made through prayers and of promises you have received from Him.
“For with God nothing will be impossible.”---Luke 1:37
We are very thankful to God for the honor and privilege of serving Him in the mission field. Most every week, new people are coming to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord in the various outreaches here in the Philippines, and it is a blessing to see new people’s lives transformed and blessed by Jesus.
I believe that effective missions start first with a specific call of God to certain areas to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is then advanced and becomes increasingly fruitful as those who are willing to go and those who are willing to help send---form a faithful team effort to reach people for Jesus. Emie and I try to say: “thanks”, frequently to all of you who are partnering with us through your intercessory prayers, words of encouragement, and financial investments in the various ministry outreaches. Many people know Jesus as their Savior and Lord because of you, and the heart the Lord has given you for helping share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We continue to pray for God’s blessings in all areas---for you, your family, local church, and your ministries. Hebrews 6:10 NIV “God is not unjust, He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”
We ended 2006 with a Church anniversary service on Sunday Afternoon and despite the heavy rain on Saturday evening, and some flooded streets on Sunday---we still had a good number of people in Church and had a special time of fellowship. Many youth stayed over night at the church and missions building—and we greeted the New Year together. I was thinking while observing them as the New Year came in---that many of these young, if they have a good lifespan would have 50 to 70+ years yet to serve the Lord on this earth. That is why it is so important and such a good investment of our time and energy to teach the young to grow in their Christian faith and maturity.
In early December we has 11 students graduate from their 5 month Bible School Training course. They were from churches in Leyte, Biliran Island, and Samar. They came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord as the result of the churches we have helped pioneer in their respective towns or villages. They are now back in their local churches helping work with their pastors in evangelism and Bible studies. We have 4 other students attending longer term Bible Colleges at this present time.
On the 1st Sunday of 2007 we had a well attended church service and 10 people were baptized in water in Leyte Gulf in the afternoon. What a good way to start out the New Year. Most of those who were baptized were people who had prayed to receive Jesus as their Savor and Lord as a result of our Sunday morning Radio broadcast the reaches over most of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran islands. We are able to share the gospel to several thousand people throughout region 8 through that broadcast.
Last month we shared we had had 3 churches damaged by the typhoon, which hit our region. They are still in the process of being repaired and/or expanded, and in one case a new building will be constructed. Thanks, for you who have helped us to help the churches which are in need. We have also been able to help people with various medical needs, and in other areas.
Last Friday, the 19th, we were guest speakers at the Caibiran church where they were having an annual Thanksgiving Service. That evening, youth who came from some of the churches we have helped pioneer, had an overnight praise and worship and teaching service that lasted till past 3:00 A.M. More than 100 attended. We are happy to see youth who are growing in their faith and relationship with Christ.We pray this year will be the most fruitful year of ministry we have ever had. We also hope to minister in several other nations. Please continue to pray for us in all areas as led by the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:18&19 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints---and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make know the mystery of the gospel.”
Thanks again for your faithful partnership in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. God bless you wonderfully.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
P.S. Please pray specifically for the Lord to open new doors for ministry this year in other countries, for His special protection, fresh anointing, abundant financial provision, and increasing fruitfulness in all areas of ministry. Please pray for 100 + new fervent and effective
Thứ Sáu, tháng 12 22, 2006
WE WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son..” Galatians 4:4a
There are many beautiful Scriptures in regards to the birth of Jesus. We know the world was a busy place at the time of the birth of Jesus and that few people took notice at that time----of one of the greatest moments in the history of all creation.
Jesus was, is, and always will be the King of kings and the Lord of lords---He is God the Son and all things that have been created—He created. Yet with all His incredible royalty, when He chose to come to this earth as our Savior---we know how humbly He entered, how graciously He lived, and how lovingly He gave His life to redeem us.
Wise men came and worshiped Him and gave Him valuable gifts at His birth. Many years later as He entered Jerusalem large crowds warmly greeted Him and shouted: “Hosanna in the highest!” Then a few days later they were shouting: “Crucify Him!”
When Jesus was dying on the cross and people were mocking Him He said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I—Lk 23:34a We may feel angry at those mockers until we remember---and realize the words Jesus spoke are for us too.
The real Christmas is and always will be---the greatest love story ever told. It is a story about a Father who loved a fallen human race so much---He paid the highest price ever paid for our redemption. He gave His only begotten Son’s life---as our Christmas present.
“For the wages of sin is death--- but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” --Romans 6:23 { He is risen and coming back soon.}
(Christmas is a time to be thankful.)
There are many beautiful Scriptures in regards to the birth of Jesus. We know the world was a busy place at the time of the birth of Jesus and that few people took notice at that time----of one of the greatest moments in the history of all creation.
Jesus was, is, and always will be the King of kings and the Lord of lords---He is God the Son and all things that have been created—He created. Yet with all His incredible royalty, when He chose to come to this earth as our Savior---we know how humbly He entered, how graciously He lived, and how lovingly He gave His life to redeem us.
Wise men came and worshiped Him and gave Him valuable gifts at His birth. Many years later as He entered Jerusalem large crowds warmly greeted Him and shouted: “Hosanna in the highest!” Then a few days later they were shouting: “Crucify Him!”
When Jesus was dying on the cross and people were mocking Him He said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” I—Lk 23:34a We may feel angry at those mockers until we remember---and realize the words Jesus spoke are for us too.
The real Christmas is and always will be---the greatest love story ever told. It is a story about a Father who loved a fallen human race so much---He paid the highest price ever paid for our redemption. He gave His only begotten Son’s life---as our Christmas present.
“For the wages of sin is death--- but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” --Romans 6:23 { He is risen and coming back soon.}
(Christmas is a time to be thankful.)
Thứ Sáu, tháng 12 15, 2006
Level 3 Typhoon hit ministry churches
Dear Friends,
Last Saturday a level 3 typhoon hit Region 8 in the Philippines (Biliran, Leyte, and Samar Islands) where most of our ministry outreaches take place. While the loss of life was small in comparison to the typhoon that hit the Northern part of the Philippines a couple of weeks earlier, there were some tragedies here. In regards to damages to houses and property---many small native houses were damaged or destroyed. Out of the 15 churches we have helped pioneer, 3 were damaged: the Church in Bato had its metal roof blown off, the native church in Palarao was half blown down, and the native church in Calbiga collapsed. We have sent them some help as we have been able, and they will all do their best with what hey have to work with but will need more help.
The day before the storm I drove a 3 hour round trip to the provincial prison in Aboyoug and ministered to about 50 prisoners there, one of whom was serving 6 life sentences. Most of the people we spoke with there were maximum security prisoners. Many of them have already become Christians and their Friday meeting is similar to our Sunday church services. During our meeting new men came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and many who were already Christians were encouraged and strengthened----in their faith and relationship with the Lord.
Please pray for healing and provision for a Christian brother named Gunie--- he is blind and recently fell and broke his hip. He needs an operation and just the stainless steel plate costs P40,000. Filipino Pesos or about $825.00 at the current exchange rate we receive. The government hospital provides some free services which helps but the medicine and other costs are estimated by the doctor to be about P25,000 Pesos or $515, for a total estimated cost of $1340.00
This may seem small by American standards but is a large amount for most people in the Philippines. Gunie is being raised by his Auntie and they are a family with very limited financial resources. We currently can help with about 20% of the cost but are trying to help raise the needed support for the operation which needs to take place soon. Your prayers and any help the Lord guides you to give would be a big help.
Thanks and God bless you always.
Gordon & Emie
Last Saturday a level 3 typhoon hit Region 8 in the Philippines (Biliran, Leyte, and Samar Islands) where most of our ministry outreaches take place. While the loss of life was small in comparison to the typhoon that hit the Northern part of the Philippines a couple of weeks earlier, there were some tragedies here. In regards to damages to houses and property---many small native houses were damaged or destroyed. Out of the 15 churches we have helped pioneer, 3 were damaged: the Church in Bato had its metal roof blown off, the native church in Palarao was half blown down, and the native church in Calbiga collapsed. We have sent them some help as we have been able, and they will all do their best with what hey have to work with but will need more help.
The day before the storm I drove a 3 hour round trip to the provincial prison in Aboyoug and ministered to about 50 prisoners there, one of whom was serving 6 life sentences. Most of the people we spoke with there were maximum security prisoners. Many of them have already become Christians and their Friday meeting is similar to our Sunday church services. During our meeting new men came to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and many who were already Christians were encouraged and strengthened----in their faith and relationship with the Lord.
Please pray for healing and provision for a Christian brother named Gunie--- he is blind and recently fell and broke his hip. He needs an operation and just the stainless steel plate costs P40,000. Filipino Pesos or about $825.00 at the current exchange rate we receive. The government hospital provides some free services which helps but the medicine and other costs are estimated by the doctor to be about P25,000 Pesos or $515, for a total estimated cost of $1340.00
This may seem small by American standards but is a large amount for most people in the Philippines. Gunie is being raised by his Auntie and they are a family with very limited financial resources. We currently can help with about 20% of the cost but are trying to help raise the needed support for the operation which needs to take place soon. Your prayers and any help the Lord guides you to give would be a big help.
Thanks and God bless you always.
Gordon & Emie
Thứ Năm, tháng 11 30, 2006
JESUS LOVES YOU - ISSUE 168 - Nov 2006
JESUS LOVES YOU. ISSUE NO. 168
November 20th, 2006
JOHN 14:1-3 N.A.S. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” ---Jesus
I PETER 5:7 AMP. “Casting the whole of your care [all of your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
PSALM 121:2,7&8 NIV “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. … The Lord will keep you from all harm---He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 KJV "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to each of you from Emie and me, our family, and ministry team. “May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.” –Jude 2 We pray for God to grant you individualized blessings, which are tailor made specifically for your needs. God knows of needs we have, that we are not even aware of, and He is able to provide for us all in surprising ways and at just the right time.
We hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day and a good time of fellowship with family and friends. We will be spending Thanksgiving with a few other missionaries this Thursday afternoon. The prophet Joel wrote a Scripture that could apply to Thanksgiving Day; Joel 2:26a&b NIV: “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full… and then you will praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has worked wonders for you…”
Yesterday I drove 2 hours to a church we helped pioneer in Baybay, Leyte. I was the guest speaker for their church anniversary and their theme was based on the Scripture in Ephesians 5:20 which deals with giving thanks to God in all situations. I often remember my friend Rev. Jim Ripley sharing about the importance of “having an attitude of gratitude” towards God. God blesses people who are thankful to Him.
In Luke 17:11-19 Jesus healed 10 Lepers, yet only one of them came back to say “Thanks”, and Jesus said: But the nine, where are they?” God appreciates it when we thank Him and worship Him. In Acts 16:6-40, Paul and Silas felt directed by God to go to Macedonia and preach the gospel. Yet they had their cloths torn off, were beaten with rods, and thrown into the inner prison and their feet put in stocks. For many people that may not have seemed the time to have a praise and worship meeting, but Paul & Silas began to praise the Lord from the depths of their hearts. An earthquake shook the prison, the prison doors were opened, and the chains fell off. And then Paul & Silas had a revival meeting (so to speak) and led the jailer and his family to Jesus.
During the Baybay church service I mentioned to the congregation that sometimes people are not very grateful to God and can’t think of what to thank Him for. I asked the church members who were able, to take a deep breath with me and hold it until I signaled to breathe. I just put up one hand and began to lift my fingers 1,2,3,4,5 several times and after about 35 seconds, I took a deep breath and so did the other people who were able to hold their breath that long. I said: “It feels good to breathe doesn’t it?” And they heartily agreed. Truly, every breath we take and every beat of our heart is a gift from God. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! And His mercy endures forever.”-- Psalm 107:1 God is truly good, and He has been kind and merciful to us all. He is so very worthy of our sincere praise, worship, and giving of thanks.
Two Sundays ago we were able to bless a young man who has been crippled from birth.
His name is Entoy and he became a Christian at a crusade a few months ago, he regularly attends church. He used a small homemade device to help him walk. We were able to recently find and purchase a high quality walker stand to give to him. He had been so happy to receive and use the new walker; it is probably the most valuable possession he has ever owned. Adoptive parents who we were told had found him as a baby, left in the garbage dump, raised him. His adoptive parents died a few years ago. We wish he would have received a miracle healing to walk normally, but he has already received the greatest miracle of all---He received Jesus as his Savior and Lord. And he right now thanks the Lord for his answered prayer for the new walker.
Emie would like to share a few words:
“Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in Jesus Name! It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you in every area of your life. The church of Tacloban City and all the pastors of Eternal Life Ministries International are also praying for you always. They are very grateful to God for all of you that have been a help to them for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
I would like to share the testimony about a lady who received the Lord just this last Sunday, November 19th, 2006. Her name is Salome. She is a court secretary, I have been sharing the word of God to her since 1996, and finally she received the Lord and came to our fellowship to worship the King. Another boy 14 years old, whose mother died 4 months ago, his name is Rex—he is very poor, living in a very small house—he is a very lonely lad. I visited him and was moved with compassion, I hugged him and assured him of the love of God. He also received the Lord last week, I am very happy to see these people crying before God as they received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I believe they were tears of repentance and tears of joy.
I would also like to thank the Lord for our radio ministry; many people have been encouraged through the Word of God we shared on the air. We have 7 new members added to the church because of the radio ministry.
I would like to express my gratitude for making this ministry possible because people like you have a heart for the lost soul. You and I will receive the same reward according to the word of God. Thank-you very much for your partnership to reach people for Christ.
Love,
Emie
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“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the heart consider it? He who keeps your soul, does he not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” ---Proverbs 24:11-12
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How they shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach if they are not sent.” –Romans 10:13-15a
For 14&1/2 years Emie and I (in partnership with all of you who have helped “send” us) have been sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Several thousand people have come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, thousands have been strengthened and encouraged in their faith, and the poor have been given help in the name of Jesus. I have said it before-----we are confident that you will one day meet many people in heaven who will come to you and say “Thank-you for being part of the team that helped me come to know Jesus as my Savor and Lord. You are one of the reasons I am in heaven today.”
On this Thanksgiving Day month in America, Emie and I would simply like to say “Thank-you so very much for your friendship, prayers, encouragement, and financial investments in God’s work through these ministry outreaches. Your partnership and help is greatly appreciated and is helping us lead people to Jesus.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
P.S. (a). Please pray for God to grant us more wisdom, strength, very good health, powerful protection and abundant finances to do God’s work here in the Philippines and other nations He calls us to. (b). And please pray for God’s blessings on all the pastors, ministry workers, church members, and ministry partners. (c). And also for good health and protection for our children and all children represented of those in line b. (Thanks &God bless you.)
November 20th, 2006
JOHN 14:1-3 N.A.S. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” ---Jesus
I PETER 5:7 AMP. “Casting the whole of your care [all of your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
PSALM 121:2,7&8 NIV “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. … The Lord will keep you from all harm---He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
PHILIPPIANS 1:6 KJV "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to each of you from Emie and me, our family, and ministry team. “May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.” –Jude 2 We pray for God to grant you individualized blessings, which are tailor made specifically for your needs. God knows of needs we have, that we are not even aware of, and He is able to provide for us all in surprising ways and at just the right time.
We hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day and a good time of fellowship with family and friends. We will be spending Thanksgiving with a few other missionaries this Thursday afternoon. The prophet Joel wrote a Scripture that could apply to Thanksgiving Day; Joel 2:26a&b NIV: “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full… and then you will praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has worked wonders for you…”
Yesterday I drove 2 hours to a church we helped pioneer in Baybay, Leyte. I was the guest speaker for their church anniversary and their theme was based on the Scripture in Ephesians 5:20 which deals with giving thanks to God in all situations. I often remember my friend Rev. Jim Ripley sharing about the importance of “having an attitude of gratitude” towards God. God blesses people who are thankful to Him.
In Luke 17:11-19 Jesus healed 10 Lepers, yet only one of them came back to say “Thanks”, and Jesus said: But the nine, where are they?” God appreciates it when we thank Him and worship Him. In Acts 16:6-40, Paul and Silas felt directed by God to go to Macedonia and preach the gospel. Yet they had their cloths torn off, were beaten with rods, and thrown into the inner prison and their feet put in stocks. For many people that may not have seemed the time to have a praise and worship meeting, but Paul & Silas began to praise the Lord from the depths of their hearts. An earthquake shook the prison, the prison doors were opened, and the chains fell off. And then Paul & Silas had a revival meeting (so to speak) and led the jailer and his family to Jesus.
During the Baybay church service I mentioned to the congregation that sometimes people are not very grateful to God and can’t think of what to thank Him for. I asked the church members who were able, to take a deep breath with me and hold it until I signaled to breathe. I just put up one hand and began to lift my fingers 1,2,3,4,5 several times and after about 35 seconds, I took a deep breath and so did the other people who were able to hold their breath that long. I said: “It feels good to breathe doesn’t it?” And they heartily agreed. Truly, every breath we take and every beat of our heart is a gift from God. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! And His mercy endures forever.”-- Psalm 107:1 God is truly good, and He has been kind and merciful to us all. He is so very worthy of our sincere praise, worship, and giving of thanks.
Two Sundays ago we were able to bless a young man who has been crippled from birth.
His name is Entoy and he became a Christian at a crusade a few months ago, he regularly attends church. He used a small homemade device to help him walk. We were able to recently find and purchase a high quality walker stand to give to him. He had been so happy to receive and use the new walker; it is probably the most valuable possession he has ever owned. Adoptive parents who we were told had found him as a baby, left in the garbage dump, raised him. His adoptive parents died a few years ago. We wish he would have received a miracle healing to walk normally, but he has already received the greatest miracle of all---He received Jesus as his Savior and Lord. And he right now thanks the Lord for his answered prayer for the new walker.
Emie would like to share a few words:
“Dear Friends,
Greetings to you in Jesus Name! It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you in every area of your life. The church of Tacloban City and all the pastors of Eternal Life Ministries International are also praying for you always. They are very grateful to God for all of you that have been a help to them for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
I would like to share the testimony about a lady who received the Lord just this last Sunday, November 19th, 2006. Her name is Salome. She is a court secretary, I have been sharing the word of God to her since 1996, and finally she received the Lord and came to our fellowship to worship the King. Another boy 14 years old, whose mother died 4 months ago, his name is Rex—he is very poor, living in a very small house—he is a very lonely lad. I visited him and was moved with compassion, I hugged him and assured him of the love of God. He also received the Lord last week, I am very happy to see these people crying before God as they received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. I believe they were tears of repentance and tears of joy.
I would also like to thank the Lord for our radio ministry; many people have been encouraged through the Word of God we shared on the air. We have 7 new members added to the church because of the radio ministry.
I would like to express my gratitude for making this ministry possible because people like you have a heart for the lost soul. You and I will receive the same reward according to the word of God. Thank-you very much for your partnership to reach people for Christ.
Love,
Emie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, ‘Surely we did not know this,’ does not He who weighs the heart consider it? He who keeps your soul, does he not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?” ---Proverbs 24:11-12
“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. How they shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach if they are not sent.” –Romans 10:13-15a
For 14&1/2 years Emie and I (in partnership with all of you who have helped “send” us) have been sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Several thousand people have come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord, thousands have been strengthened and encouraged in their faith, and the poor have been given help in the name of Jesus. I have said it before-----we are confident that you will one day meet many people in heaven who will come to you and say “Thank-you for being part of the team that helped me come to know Jesus as my Savor and Lord. You are one of the reasons I am in heaven today.”
On this Thanksgiving Day month in America, Emie and I would simply like to say “Thank-you so very much for your friendship, prayers, encouragement, and financial investments in God’s work through these ministry outreaches. Your partnership and help is greatly appreciated and is helping us lead people to Jesus.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
P.S. (a). Please pray for God to grant us more wisdom, strength, very good health, powerful protection and abundant finances to do God’s work here in the Philippines and other nations He calls us to. (b). And please pray for God’s blessings on all the pastors, ministry workers, church members, and ministry partners. (c). And also for good health and protection for our children and all children represented of those in line b. (Thanks &God bless you.)
Thứ Ba, tháng 10 31, 2006
Newsletter Issue 167 - Oct. 19, 2006
THANK-YOU JESUS. ISSUE NO. 167
OCTOBER 19, 2006
PSALM 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” ---Moses
MATTHEW 16:25-26 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? ---Jesus (He who lives his life for Jesus, lives wisely)
2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to Me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.” ---Paul
REVELATION 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Heaven)
Dear Friends,
Once again warm greetings to you, in the wonderful name of Jesus. Emie and I pray that the Lord will profoundly bless you all---in special ways that you never expected or even prayed for. May He strengthen you, give clear guidance, fresh anointing, and restore a new zeal in all your service to Him. I CO 15:57&58 “But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
First of all, I would like to once again express our sincere thanks to each of you who are helping us to share the good news about Jesus to many people. Each month, new people are being saved, exhorted and encouraged in their faith, and helped in various ways as led by the Holy Spirit. Your faithful partnership---though your prayers, encouragement, and financial investments in the various ministry outreaches---is helping us to reach people for Jesus. We thank God for you, and pray He will abundantly reward you and we are confident that He will.
God wants us to be fruitful. Jesus said that if we abide in Him we would bear much good fruit. (John 16:5) There are pressures from the enemy, the world, and the flesh that would try to sidetrack us, discourage us, and block us---from fulfilling God’s best plan for our lives and the positive impact that would have on so many other peoples lives. God’s word encourages us to stand strong and be steadfast in what God has called us to do. In Galatians 6:9&10 we are exhorted: “And let us not grow weary in while doing good, for in due season, we shall reap of we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” And in Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”
Over the years some special people to Emie and me, have graduated and went to Heaven.
While as with all of us who know the Lord, when we know someone close who dies, yet who knew Jesus as their Savior and Lord---we know we will see them again. We will miss them but have assurance we will fellowship with them again in heaven. Last month Emie’s dad, Anthony Merano went to be with Jesus on September 19th. He loved Jesus and was a kind and well liked man. He was special to us both. On September 14th, Rev. Clifford Rice went to be with Jesus. Clifford was a wonderful & unique man of God who was used in many parts of the world to lead people to Jesus and help disciple them. He was a good friend and he modeled the love of Jesus.
Both of these men were father figures to us, one physically, one spiritually. Both lived to be 77 years old on this earth. Both of them loved Jesus. Both of them are in Heaven. They fought the good fight, they finished the race, and they kept the faith.
(Please pray for their wives, Mrs. Rosario Merano & Mrs. Norma Rice; and their families.)
As mentioned at the top of the page, Moses wrote: “Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Friends, loving and serving God-----is the fruit of a heart of wisdom. May all of us have good health and long life, and fruitful ministry to the Lord. Each of us have been given special gifts by God and put on this earth at this time for a purpose. It is my prayer for each man, woman, teenager, and child: that each of us can be the person God created us to be, and do what God put us on this earth to do.
In Cabucgayan last month, Pastora Fely Jaca, who pastors the church we pioneered there, helped lead several people to Jesus during Bible studies and home visitation: As written on her monthly report-
Escolastica Andales Resilin Violita 52 years old
Celine Arabiana Rachel {all young people} Dionisia Bohol 85 years old
Beatrice Arabiana {all 70-85 years old} Rhea May which means teen agers
Julita Solamo Catherine
Lucela Arabiana Rodrick Macab (We praise the Lord for their salvations.)
Emie would like to share some testimonies with you:
Dear friend,
“I would like to share what God has done to the lives of 4 persons whom we sponsored to attend the 2-day “Encounter God Retreat.” Coney is a woman with one daughter, and who was rejected & abandoned by her husband. She was full of pains and hurts, but at the retreat she was set free from pain. She was blessed by one of our topics: From Broken To Whole. Michelle is a youth who had felt a lot of rejection from her family and friends—but she is now happy knowing that God accepted her and embraced her with open arms. Neil is a student whose heart was filled with hatred for the person who killed his loving father. Neil lives with two sisters and a brother, and whose mother is working hard in order for them to survive. He was delivered from the spirit of revenge and hatred to the killer. He learned to forgive and forget. Neil and his family are now serving the Lord through this ministry. The last one, Natividad is a shy type of lady who was saved 7 months ago through our Radio Ministry. And she is now happy and bold after receiving the power of the Holy Spirit during the Encounter God Retreat. These 4 persons were delivered from pain, hurts, hatred, and rejection; they received healing from our Lord Jesus Christ.
These people are very appreciative for the help we extended to them and now they are happy and free and they want to serve God and be discipled so God can use them for ministry.
I personally express my gratitude for your help to the ministry so we can help these people who are hurting and troubled. Thank you friend for your love and generosity. I can’t repay you but God will reward all you did for Him.
God bless you all.”
Love,
Emie
MATTHEW 6:19-21 “Do not lay up treasure for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ---Jesus
Thank-you for your partnership and we always pray the Lord blesses you, your family and friends, and churches. We pray the Lord will multiply back to you many times your help to the mission outreaches.
In His love,
Gordon & Emie
P.S. Please pray to the Lord for: excellent health, powerful protection, and abundant provision: for all the ministry workers, ministry partners, and for Emie and me and the family. Pray for God’s clear guidance and best plans for all our lives to become reality. God bless you always.
Thứ Tư, tháng 9 20, 2006
Ministry Newsletters are now online
JESUS IS LORD! ISSUE NO. 166
SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
ISAIAH 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
2 PETER 5:7 LB “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”
PSALM 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, makest me dwell in safety.”
PSALM 91:1&2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.’”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to each of you in the name of Jesus: our Savior & Redeemer.
Emie and I pray that God will strengthen, encourage, comfort, and help you in all areas of need. He created the Universe, He created each of us---and God is bigger than any problem any of us will ever face. Nothing is impossible with God and He is the one Who: “…is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Eph.3:20
In life we can have sometimes that are exceptionally good, many times that things are going kind of average but are okay, and other times that are difficult. The one constant in all these circumstances is that the Lord is with us in all of them. It has been said that it is in the hard times you find out who your best friends are. Well God says in the Bible in Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words by no means will pass away.” God honors His word.
The Bible says in: Deuteronomy 31:6 “…He will never leave you nor forsake you…” Joshua 1:5 “…I will never leave you nor forsake you…” Psalm 27:10 “though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” And in Hebrews 13:5 “…For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.”
Now if you do an exhaustive and in-depth word study of the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek in these verses, you will come to the amazing conclusion that: God Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!
All of us greatly appreciate good friends, but for every one of us---The Best Friend that each of us has---is the Lord.
This last Sunday while Emie preached at the Tacloban Church, I drove to the Church we pioneered in Villareal, Samar. The first part of the road there has been newly paved and it takes about 45 minutes to drive the first 40 kilometers, and then on the rough and broken side road to Villareal it takes about 35+ minutes to drive just 9 kilometers. Driving over here is challenging in many ways and can be a barometer in seeing if you are in the Spirit or the flesh.
The Church there was started as a result of some people who lived there who were listening to our regional radio broadcast and came to Tacloban to ask us to please pioneer a church there. This is another area where church planting was attempted in the past by others but was not able to continue. The congregation we are helping to establish there is still modest in size, in the mid twenties + in attendance. It has a good core group of committed Christians. It has been there about 2 years now, and we trust the Lord to help it to grow. The church we pioneered in Palarao was in the low twenties for some time and just increased in the past year to the mid fifties to mid sixties in attendance. In both places they are the only Christian churches in their areas and provide a much-appreciated place for Christian fellowship and training, as well as an evangelistic base to share the gospel to those who are open.
Yesterday was the triplets Ist birthday. Prior to the party Emie was having a Bible study at the house of some new church members in Tacloban named Gelbert and Jurie Arteche. After the study I picked Emie and them up and we went to Jurie’s parents house to pray for her mother who had been injured in an accident. We shared the gospel with her parents, Edrito and Corina,
who are in their early seventies in age. Both of them prayed and received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We also prayed for Corina for healing. When we first came to their house Corina looked sad, but after prayer and receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord—both her and her husband had a joyful and peaceful countenance. We praise the Lord for their conversion.
That night we celebrated Faith, Hope, and Joy’s birthday. Each of the triplets can walk now and they enjoyed their party. Like Gracia who is now 7, the triplet’s mother had also died and we were asked if we would care for them and adopt them. While that is a significant responsibility, it is also a great privilege and blessing. We also have Nonoy who is 19 years old and is going to Bible College, and Hugh who is now 5. We are thankful that in the Philippines we have people who work with us part of the time in helping raise these children. That help allows us to be able to work full time in all areas of ministry outreaches while at the same time take good care of the God given family of 6 children. We appreciate your prayers for God helping us in all areas of family and ministry outreaches.
Each month through the various ministry outreaches: new people are coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord; many people are being strengthened and encouraged in their Christian faith and their service to the Lord; squatter area children (the urban poor) are being given food and Christian teaching, and the poor are being helped in various ways as led by the Holy Spirit.
We thank God for the privilege of serving Him and for the souls that are being saved. We also thank the Lord for each one of you who are praying for us, encouraging us, and investing financially in God’s work through these ministry outreaches. As we have shared before, effective missions is a faithful partnership between those who are called by God to go and those who are called by God to help send. We always pray for the Lord’s rich and powerful blessings upon you, your families, and churches. Your partnership is helping us to lead many people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God bless you always for your help and partnership.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”
P.S. Please pray for God’s fresh anointing, protection, healing, and provision for all the needs of the ministries.
Thanks.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
ISAIAH 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”
2 PETER 5:7 LB “Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”
PSALM 4:8 “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, makest me dwell in safety.”
PSALM 91:1&2 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust.’”
Dear Friends,
Warm greetings to each of you in the name of Jesus: our Savior & Redeemer.
Emie and I pray that God will strengthen, encourage, comfort, and help you in all areas of need. He created the Universe, He created each of us---and God is bigger than any problem any of us will ever face. Nothing is impossible with God and He is the one Who: “…is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Eph.3:20
In life we can have sometimes that are exceptionally good, many times that things are going kind of average but are okay, and other times that are difficult. The one constant in all these circumstances is that the Lord is with us in all of them. It has been said that it is in the hard times you find out who your best friends are. Well God says in the Bible in Matthew 24:35: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words by no means will pass away.” God honors His word.
The Bible says in: Deuteronomy 31:6 “…He will never leave you nor forsake you…” Joshua 1:5 “…I will never leave you nor forsake you…” Psalm 27:10 “though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” And in Hebrews 13:5 “…For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.”
Now if you do an exhaustive and in-depth word study of the Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek in these verses, you will come to the amazing conclusion that: God Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!
All of us greatly appreciate good friends, but for every one of us---The Best Friend that each of us has---is the Lord.
This last Sunday while Emie preached at the Tacloban Church, I drove to the Church we pioneered in Villareal, Samar. The first part of the road there has been newly paved and it takes about 45 minutes to drive the first 40 kilometers, and then on the rough and broken side road to Villareal it takes about 35+ minutes to drive just 9 kilometers. Driving over here is challenging in many ways and can be a barometer in seeing if you are in the Spirit or the flesh.
The Church there was started as a result of some people who lived there who were listening to our regional radio broadcast and came to Tacloban to ask us to please pioneer a church there. This is another area where church planting was attempted in the past by others but was not able to continue. The congregation we are helping to establish there is still modest in size, in the mid twenties + in attendance. It has a good core group of committed Christians. It has been there about 2 years now, and we trust the Lord to help it to grow. The church we pioneered in Palarao was in the low twenties for some time and just increased in the past year to the mid fifties to mid sixties in attendance. In both places they are the only Christian churches in their areas and provide a much-appreciated place for Christian fellowship and training, as well as an evangelistic base to share the gospel to those who are open.
Yesterday was the triplets Ist birthday. Prior to the party Emie was having a Bible study at the house of some new church members in Tacloban named Gelbert and Jurie Arteche. After the study I picked Emie and them up and we went to Jurie’s parents house to pray for her mother who had been injured in an accident. We shared the gospel with her parents, Edrito and Corina,
who are in their early seventies in age. Both of them prayed and received Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We also prayed for Corina for healing. When we first came to their house Corina looked sad, but after prayer and receiving Jesus as Savior and Lord—both her and her husband had a joyful and peaceful countenance. We praise the Lord for their conversion.
That night we celebrated Faith, Hope, and Joy’s birthday. Each of the triplets can walk now and they enjoyed their party. Like Gracia who is now 7, the triplet’s mother had also died and we were asked if we would care for them and adopt them. While that is a significant responsibility, it is also a great privilege and blessing. We also have Nonoy who is 19 years old and is going to Bible College, and Hugh who is now 5. We are thankful that in the Philippines we have people who work with us part of the time in helping raise these children. That help allows us to be able to work full time in all areas of ministry outreaches while at the same time take good care of the God given family of 6 children. We appreciate your prayers for God helping us in all areas of family and ministry outreaches.
Each month through the various ministry outreaches: new people are coming to know Jesus as Savior and Lord; many people are being strengthened and encouraged in their Christian faith and their service to the Lord; squatter area children (the urban poor) are being given food and Christian teaching, and the poor are being helped in various ways as led by the Holy Spirit.
We thank God for the privilege of serving Him and for the souls that are being saved. We also thank the Lord for each one of you who are praying for us, encouraging us, and investing financially in God’s work through these ministry outreaches. As we have shared before, effective missions is a faithful partnership between those who are called by God to go and those who are called by God to help send. We always pray for the Lord’s rich and powerful blessings upon you, your families, and churches. Your partnership is helping us to lead many people to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God bless you always for your help and partnership.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie
Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”
P.S. Please pray for God’s fresh anointing, protection, healing, and provision for all the needs of the ministries.
Thanks.
Thứ Năm, tháng 3 30, 2006
Personal Statement
In the Spring of 1992, in obedience to the direction I believed God was giving me, I sold most of what I owned and took a step of faith in missions service to the Lord, moving to the Philippines to begin a lifelong work there. My wife Emie and I praise God for the thousands of people who have come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord over these past 13+ years of ministry.
This is a faith-based ministry that has been able to continue to minister in many areas as the Lord has provided, with prayer and financial support from Christian individuals and Christian churches—believers who have it in their hearts to see lost people in their own communities and also in other parts of the world come to know the joy and peace of receiving Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
God has touched the hearts of people to help this ministry who either know us personally or have heard about the ministry through the testimonies of friends. We thank the Lord for each person and for each church congregation who is supporting us now and for those who will become partners with us in reaching people for Jesus. We trust God to bless and reward you as we continue to co-labor together for Him.
In Christ’s love,
Gordon & Emie Kalich
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”
Ministry Mission Statement
Eternal Life Ministries International is an interdenominational missions organization, founded in 1992. The original mission vision was and remains:
1. To share the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever the Lord opens the doors to do so, anywhere in the world, and to see many people come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
2. Through the preaching and teaching of Biblical truths: to exhort, encourage, and strengthen Christians in various parts of the world to love and serve God with increased commitment and effectiveness.
3. To have a genuine helps ministry to the poor as led by the Holy Spirit.
By the grace of God and with the help of ministry partners, we have pursued our mission goals and experienced fruitfulness in this ministry in the following ways:
1. Since 1992 we have had several thousand people pray and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.We have shared the gospel of Jesus Christ through open-air public crusades, radio broadcasts, Bible studies, church services, and one-on-one evangelism throughout our travels here in the Philippines and in the United States, as well as in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and China. Jesus has entered into and is changing the lives of many people.
There are many testimonies, but one that comes to mind was a time when Emie and I were traveling by ship from Manila to Tacloban. That night Emie saw a woman standing by the railing of the boat who looked very depressed, so she went over to visit with the woman and to encourage her. As it turned out, this Chinese-Filipino woman had been planning to jump off the boat to her death because of some large financial losses due to gambling. Instead of ending her life, after we witnessed to her and prayed with her, she came to know Jesus as her Savior and Lord. We helped her to return home to her husband and 2 daughters who had been very worried. A few months later we received a nice Christmas card and a thank-you note, with a testimony of how Jesus was continuing to bless and help her and her family.
In sharing the gospel, Emie and I have seen people from all areas of life, all ages, from children to great-grandparents, have their lives touched by the Lord. We thank God and give glory to Him for saving lives!
2. We have had the privilege to minister to fellow Christians in churches, seminars, Christian colleges, etc., and we have seen many believers from various church backgrounds be strengthened and encouraged in their faith through the positive sharing of God’s word.
In the Philippines, through the open-air crusades and cooperative efforts of evangelism, we have helped other churches grow in attendance, and, where there was a need, but no other Christian group was willing or able to pioneer a church, Eternal Life Ministries has helped to raise up 12 churches, mostly in areas that had no Christian churches. These churches are now reaching out to their respective communities and sharing the gospel with many people. It is our privilege to help mentor and train the pastors of these churches in Biblical teaching.
3 Eternal Life Ministries has fed thousands of meals to children and shared the gospel with them. Some have been street children and others from the squatter areas (urban poor). Besides a good physical meal, we share the equivalent of a Sunday school lesson with them. They sing songs of praise to God, learn from Bible stories, and are taught how to pray to God. The street children look forward to these meetings with great excitement. This outreach ministry has been going on now for over 8 years.
Working with another ministry, we helped about 2 dozen children receive surgery to correct hair-lip defects that had deformed their faces. These children, who were from very poor families, and who were being teased unmercifully, received life-changing help given to them and their parents in the name of Jesus. We had 7 of these children and 8 parents stay with us at our house for a week as the children took turns receiving their operations. We provided for their bus fare, housing and meals, as well as medications needed after the operations.
The poor have been helped through Eternal Life Ministries in various other ways, (i.e., food, clothing, etc.) and some people’s physical lives have even been saved as a result of the help we were able to give. Praise God!
In whatever way we reach out to minister to the many needy people of this and other countries, we always share the gospel with them, because salvation is truly each person’s greatest need.
Blessings from the Philippines, in the service of Jesus Christ. Gordon & Emie Kalich
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