Our House Almost Caught on FIRE!

The flames can been seen rising above our townhouse building.

The flames can been seen rising above our townhouse building.

Just two days after helping the victims of the Isla Verde fire, we almost became fire victims ourselves. We were suddenly disturbed to hear our neighbors pounding on our door. There was a big fire raging just ten feet behind our house! The fire had completed consumed the two houses behind us and was quickly approaching our rented townhouse.  I stayed behind to rescue some electronics, and see if we could do anything to stop the fire. I rebuked the fire and prayed, “Fire, you cannot touch our house in the Name of JESUS.” Our unsaved neighbor later told me the fire was raging right for our townhouse and the wind suddenly changed.

This was the view from our back window after the Fire Department got the fire under control.

This was the view from our back window after the Fire Department finally got the fire under control.

The fire was so close that Elijah’s bedroom windows and my office windows were too hot to touch. During the commotion, one of our brilliant friends broke the main water pipe behind our house and sprayed it towards the fire which held it at bay until eleven fire trucks responded and put out the fire. It was an absolute miracle our house didn’t catch on fire!

Elijah was so happy to see 11 fire trucks respond to our neighborhood. I was excited too!

Elijah was so excited to see eleven fire trucks respond to the fire. I was excited too!

When Elijah finally came back, he was so excited that the fire trucks came to visit our house. He exclaimed, “Fire Truck, Daddy, Fire Truck!” I suppose I was excited to see the fire trucks too, but in a different way. Thank God for his protection, miracles, friends, and fire trucks!

A fireman extinguishing the fire on top of our neighbor's house that was sadly gutted by the fire.

A fireman extinguishing the fire on top of our neighbor’s house that was sadly gutted by the fire. The tall roof in the background is our townhouse building.

We Finally Got a Vehicle!

1995 Toyota Tamaraw FX

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

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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.

Thank You for Helping Us Help Others

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.

24 Hour Worship Marathon at the Refuge

24 Hour Worship Marathon at the RefugeAbout one week ago, we hosted our first 24 hour praise and worship marathon at the Refuge. We had about sixty on-fire youth passionately worshipping God the whole time. It ran continuously for 24 hours from Friday until Saturday night. It was amazing to see the hunger, fire, and passion the youth displayed the whole time. The atmosphere for worship and soaking in God’s presence was just wonderful.

Soaking at the 24 Hour Worship Marathon.

Sheena who attended announced that her friend Khael was healed at the event, “He testified how his sore throat was instantly healed when he joined the 24 hour non-stop worship.”

Another attendee told me she clearly heard answers from God about things she had been praying for months about. She also told me she enjoyed God’s presence so much that it was hard for her to leave.

This event was such a wonderful success. We can’t wait to have the next one.

Excited to Worship God at the Refuge

The Blood of Jesus Proclaimed at the Mall

During Easter Week, I had the amazing opportunity to do a drama (human video) about the Blood of Jesus in the biggest and nicest mall in Davao City.

 

I was told that during the drama the mall traffic on three floors stopped and watched and were captivated during the human video. Many people told me they were brought to tears as the drama depicted the crucifixion. I give all the glory to God for that.

It was all part of an openly Christian music, worship, and book event held by OMF Literature. It is just amazing that the Gospel was openly preached and God was glorified publicly in the mall.