Mission Accomplished!

August 24, 2013 by

Faith Tabernacle Baganga Inside truss work

We are happy to announce that we are finally finished with the roof construction project for Faith Tabernacle Church in Baganga.

For those of you who don’t normally read our newsletter, there was a giant typhoon in December that destroyed entire towns, killed thousands of people, almost destroyed this church, and sadly took the life of the pastor’s wife. In response, our ministry took on the project to rebuild this church.

We recently took two trips in the past two weeks and finally finished this seven month long construction project. Our last trip started out with an early morning six hour drive followed by an eleven hour work day of carpentry and mixing concrete. The following day was all about mixing concrete followed by a long drive back to Davao City.

 Mixing Cement in Baganga

On the way back, we stopped to ask a local a question, and his gang of thugs let some air out of our rear tire hoping to steal some of our supplies while we were changing the tire. By the grace of God, we didn’t fall for it and got out of there on a underinflated tire which slowed us down for about 45 minutes while we looked for a place with an air compressor.

Thankfully, we got home safely with the satisfaction that we finished this project. Now the people of this church can worship under a larger dry roof that is better than before, and the family can live in the expanded, nicer parsonage. Thank you for supporting us. This could not have been done without your prayers and financial help.

Measuring Tape

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We Finally Got a Vehicle!

July 7, 2013 by

…1995 Toyota Tamaraw FX

I just want to praise God that we were finally able to purchase a vehicle!

2-IMG_4577

It is a very reliable 1995 Toyota Tamaraw FX with a diesel engine. These SUV-type vehicles are known for being workhorses and very rarely let you down. Also, the diesel engine is very economical as diesel fuel is much cheaper than gasoline here.

Although it is a 90’s vehicle, I have that feeling like I just drove off the lot with a brand new car.

I am so relieved that we can finally use this large vehicle to transport up to nine volunteers or lots of much needed supplies to around Mindanao. In the past, we have had to leave large amounts of supplies behind because either we didn’t have the space to move them and quite honestly sometimes not enough money for fuel to make the trips.

I’m so thankful to those of you who donated and prayed for us to help make this possible. I know God will reward you greatly.

Elijah is happy that we got what he calls a "Truck." We probably won't let him paint it though.

Elijah is happy that we got what he calls a “Truck.” We probably won’t let him paint it though.

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Thank You for Helping Us Help Others

July 1, 2013 by
In December the monster category five Typhoon Bopha locally called “Pablo” hit our island and killed thousands of people. It destroyed entire towns, buildings, and infrastructure for miles in every direction. I just want to quickly review what we have been doing in response.
 Typhoon Pablo Destruction
For the past eight months we have focused primarily on disaster relief. From the start, several ministries teamed up together to bring urgent disaster rescue and relief. It is quite amazing how the various missionaries from different backgrounds have come together in unity.
Typhoon Pablo Destruction Cateel
Through this teamwork, we provided medical teams and saved lives. We brought food, tarpaulin shelters, clothing, hygiene kits, toys, and literally tons of construction materials to rebuild.  Along with the natural help, we were also able to bring spiritual renewal as well. Among the countless times we preached, we were also able to hold a big evangelistic concert with approximately 500 salvations with many youth added to the church.
We had to drive over this scary partially-collapsed bridge to get there.

We had to drive over this scary partially-collapsed bridge to get there.

Of the countless trips we have taken, getting there has never been easy. We have driven over partially standing bridges, drove though floods, avoided landslides, survived accidents, and floated on bamboo rafts getting in and out of there.
We had to use this bamboo raft to cross the river.

We had to use this bamboo raft to cross the river.

Also through a lengthy construction project, we have almost rebuilt a 2,000 square-foot church. None of this could have been done without your help and donations.  Thank you so much for your support.
Baganga Church Roofing Project
If you would like to support our work, please take the time to donate online here:

If you would like to support us through the mail, please send your checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders to:

Extreme Mercy International
P.O. Box 72266
Phoenix, Arizona 85050
U.S.A.
 

Thank you and God bless you.

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Super Typhoon Bopha Devastates Mindanao

December 5, 2012 by

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers over the last 48 hrs during Typhoon Bopha. It was a tremendous miracle of God’s protection in Davao City as our city was hardly touched when the eye of the Category 5 storm passed only 30 miles from us. It was amazingly calm where we live and we had no flooding at our house whatsoever. Although Davao City was mostly spared, we are hearing scattered reports coming from Compostela Valley (about 50 miles from here) of complete devastation. Getting terrible news from Compostela Valley is way better than the eerie silence from Davao Oriental which was the hardest hit section on the island. It is completely cut off and inaccessible at this time and only God knows the condition they are in there.

The official death toll from this dreadful storm has risen to 280, but many predict that this number will rise into the thousands. The gruesome images of the bodies strewn everywhere on the local TV News is too terrible to be shown on US television reports.

This afternoon we had a meeting with several other missions organizations in attempt to find where we can best serve those in need. We have pooled our resources and will be working with the Philippines Red Cross. The Red Cross has people on the ground assessing the situation today and will have a final plan by this evening or in the morning. The main issues is getting resources: Volunteers, food, water and shelter up to the areas affected.

Over the past 24 hours, crews have been clearing roads blocked by trees and landslides. While Davao Oriental is completely cut off, the Navy is sending a ship around to try and get aid into them. It should arrive tomorrow. As a group, our strategy is to provide supplies as well as transportation for PRC volunteers to and from the disaster zone. We have several personal vehicles enlisted to help including my little 1978 Mitusbishi Lancer, and even have secured the use of a four ton flat bed truck from BioSand Filters. With fuel costs at around $6.00 a gallon, our cost to transport volunteers and supplies will be expensive. The four ton truck  and other vehicles will only go if we have the money for fuel. Most missionaries here are also buying gas and supplies out of their own pockets to help.

We will be among the first to help with the local government about a week behind us. Our plan is to take this one step at a time and put our faith in the Lord that He will provide what we need as we go. We ask for you to prayerfully consider giving a donation to help with the aid in this time of crisis.

This is not our first disaster relief operation. We have been helping with this type of effort as an organization since the South Asia Tsunami of 2004. We also helped with Typhoon Ketsana in 2009, and with the Matina Flood last year. We really hate to see this type of disaster, but love to help people in need. Will you please help us help them by praying for us and praying about sending us an online donation?

You can also send donations in the mail to:

Extreme Mercy International
P.O. Box 72266 
Phoenix, AZ 85050
USA

One of my missionary friends left this morning to survey the damage and give out relief packages. He invited me to go with him, but I declined for some reason. He just texted his wife saying that that he won’t make it home tonight because the lake overflowed and he is stranded on a hill in a flash flood. Please pray for his divine protection as he is trapped in a very dangerous situation. (Just Updated from my friend’s Facebook: “Home Safe at 2am. Alot of Death on the road. It nearly got us too. More than a 1000 dead and missing. The news is not showing the full extent. I go out again tomorrow after I rest. Taking food and clothes” Praise God! Thank you for praying!)

Two of my best friends who are trained first responders also just left tonight to join the rescue operation in Nabunturan. Nabunturan is a place dear to our hearts as we ministered to many youth there before. We are still trying to contact the pastor of the church there to no avail.

I am hoping to physically join the relief operations up there in about a day. Please pray for the safety of the rescuers, missionaries, and for comfort for the families who have lost so much.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Consumed by the Call,

Matthew Triggs

P.S. Please forgive the appearance of our website as I was trying to update it when this disaster happened.

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