HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. May 2010 be full of opportunities to draw ever closer to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Back in San Jose

We made it back to San Jose this via 2 jeep rides and a 2 hour boat ride. We will celebrate New Year's Eve, then begin our long travel back to Manila 7 AM tomorrow.

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Children in Caramoan

Praise God. We had 168 children at our Christmas program this morning at the church in Tabgon. They came from 6 different villages, the farthest about 9 miles away. They walked most of way.

Team in Tabgon

Here is the Moses Lake team at our church in Tabgon, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

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In Caramoan

Even though we have rain today, we made it safely to the Caramoan church.

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Finished in San Jose

Praise God that we had good results in San Jose: Youth Meeting Sunday, Children's Christmas party this and Mission Seminar this afternoon. Now we are preparing for a 4:00 AM departure Tuesday morning going to Caramoan (tomorrow). Tomorrow, our travel will take us within about 25 miles of the Mayon Volcano.

Ragay Children

We just finished a Christmas party for 150 children in Ragay. We already did programs for 350 in Navotas and 75 in Malabon. Next week we'll have 75 kids in San Jose and 150 in Caramoan. 800 altogether. Praise God.

Fresh Buko

Justin, DeWayne and Austyn try out fresh buko after Christmas dinner in Baya.

Merry Christmas from Bicol

Praise God. After all night Christmas eve travel we arrived in Ragay for Christmas morning breakfast. Later we will have Christmas dinner with church members in the mountain village of Baya.

Moses Lake Christian Church Team

Here is a picture of the Moses Lake Christian Church team inside our Navotas church.  Tomorrow night, Christmas Eve, we will be traveling to Ragay, Camarines Sur southeast of Manila.  We will arrive there in time for breakfast on Christmas Morning.  So far the Mayon Volcano is not doing anything that will hinder the next part of our trip, but we'll keep an eye on it. 

Merry Christmas

I pray that the Christmas season that is upon us will be a blessed one for each and every one of you.  May you find a way to draw ever closer our Savior and King, Jesus Christ, who is all we need.

Moses Lake Mission Team

4 of the 5 team members of the short-term mission team from Moses Lake Christian Church, Moses Lake, Washington arrived yesterday.  They spent their first afternoon helping us to prepared small plastic bags of candies and treats to be handed out in our children's Christmas program today.  Altogether, they will be participating in 5 such programs over the next few days in each of our churches.  We have prepared for a total of 800 children.  The fifth mission team member will arrive later today.  On Christmas eve we will begin an overnight bus trip to the Bicol area.  Christmas Day up to Sunday morning will be in Ragay. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my friends and family in America.  Its an ordinary day here in the Philippines, but I do find my thoughts turning to turkey from time to time.  I will be out of town again over the weekend, going to Ragay and San Jose.  I should be back by Monday night.

BACK IN NAVOTAS - SOON TO BICOL

I made it back to Manila and Navotas Tuesday night.  I praise God for a warm welcome at the airport by bunch of special church friends.  I will be here only until Friday.  Friday night, I will travel to Ragay, Camarines Sur, where I will spend the weekend in ministry. 

Chinese Silent Night

Here is a short video that I took of a church group in Jiangmen practicing Silent Night for their upcoming Christmas program. The director of the group has been my close friend for almost 20 years in Jiangmen. Hope you enjoy it.

Back in Hong Kongj

Thank you for all your prayers while I was in China. I'm sorry that communications didn't work out quite as planned while I was there. I am now in Hong Kong where things like Blogspot and Facebook are not blocked. I will be back in the Philippines by tomorrow night (Tuesday).

My travels and ministry in China all went very well over the last 10 days, but I am really tired out. I have only one meeting here in Hong Kong, plus a little rest. Yesterday (Sunday) I was able to preach in a small church meeting in a newly donated house and later in a factory where the Christian owner invites a weekly service for his workers, both in Jiangmen. This morning I spent three hours on a boat coming down the Pearl River to Hong Kong.

Here is a picture of the congregation in the small church I preached in yesterday in Jiangmen.

Some Pictures from China

Here a three pictures from this week in China. Taken on November 3-4, 2009.

We had an outdoor meeting of a group of Christians gathered in a farming community near Ziyang, Sichuan

During the dedication service for the new building in the mountain village of Kanjia near Ziyang, Sichuan

A group of Christian leaders from various churches around Ziyang, southeast of Chengdu, Sichuan. Taken in Kanjia.

Update from China - Jiangmen

Facebook and Blogspot are blocked everywhere here in China, so I will just do another short post via an alternate method.

 

We arrived here in Jiangmen yesterday (Thursday) night, after 3 days in the Chengdu and Ziyang area of Sichuan Province.  The building dedication in Kanjia went well.  We visited several house churches in the Chengdu area and one near Jianmen last night.  Praise God for a quiet, but strong, spreading of the Gospel among the people here.  Pictures and detailed reports will have to wait until I get back to Navotas.

 

I will be here in Jiangmen until Monday morning.  Monday afternoon I will meet with some people from a Christian group in Hong Kong that are handling the earthquake relief project that we are involved with in Sichuan.  By Tuesday evening, I'll be on my way back to the Philippines. 

 

I have a very hectic schedule of meetings for the next few days.  Please pray for my strength and for wisdom in sharing the gospel in a wide variety of situations. 

UPDATE FROM CHENGDU

I am doing this a round about way because it seems Blogger.com and Facebook.com are blocked in this part of China.  I made it to Chengdu today and spent the evening visiting with some new friends from new Christian ministry we discovered.  Tomorrow, we will go to Ziyang as planned.  Thank you for your prayers.  Detailed updates will have to wait until I get to Jiangmen by Thursday night. 

I made to China

After a six hour delay due to the typhoon in the Philippines, I made it to Hong Kong first, and then with some excellent help from Orbitz.com, my ticket to China was re-issued for a later time.  I am now in a hotel near Guangzhou airport.  So, everything is back on schedule for the China trip.  Thank you for your prayers. 

Typhoon

Saturday morning here.  We are in the midst of a typhoon.  Many of our members have been evacuated from their homes.  Please pray for them.  Needless to say, all flights, including mine to China were cancelled.

LEAVING FOR CHINA TRIP - MAYBE!

I have been back in Navotas since 1 AM Tuesday (October 27).  I am suppose to leave tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 5 AM to go to Guangzhou, China.  However, we are facing a new TYPHOON (MIRINAE, local name SANTI) due to hit here tomorrow morning.  So, my schedule is a little bit in doubt.  Assuming I go on time, here is my basic itinerary:
Oct 31-Nov 2 GUANGZHOU, GUANDONG, CHINA
Nov 2-Nov 3  CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA
Nov 3-Nov 4  ZIYANG and KANJIA, SICHUAN, CHINA
Nov 4-Nov 5 CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA
Nov 5-Nov 9 JIANGMEN, GUANGDON, CHINA
Nov 9-Nov10 HONG KONG
Nov 10         RETURN TO MANILA
I will be posting details of my trip activities as they unfold.

TYPHOON (MIRINAE, local name SANTI) Friday morning

Mission Accomplished

We will depart Caramoan and I will begin an 18 hour journey back to Navotas, with a quick stopover at the San Jose church. There were so many praise reports in the worship service this morning in Tabgon, about what the Lord did in our mission to the very remote village of Antolan. To God be the glory. I am so exhausted and struggling with agrivated MS symptoms, but so full of joy to have seen the hand of God work among these remote people He loves so much. God's love really transcends all. After a couple days to recover in Navotas, I will be off for 2 weeks in China. More on that in coming days. God bless you all.

More Antolan pictures

Antolan pictures

Back to Main Church in Tabgon

After abov 20 miles of mountain trails, we are back at our church in Tabgon, Caramoan. I had trouble posting from the remote locations. I will try to post some pictures after this post. Thank you for all your prayers. This trip really exceeded my physical capabilities, but by the grace of God I made it. The Lord really did a marvelous work among the people, especially in the village of Antolan.

Made it to Antolan

We made it to the very remote village of Antolan. It was extremely difficult trek, especially for me. Praise God we are here. Will have Bible Study and service tonight. Will trek out in morning.

Caramoan Mountain Village Update

Praise God. We finished our 1st of 3 days visiting mountain villages. After visiting members in Tabiguian and Pili-Tabiguian this morning, we went to Bacong, where we had service tonight. We are back in Pili to sleep. Tomorrow we will go to Antolan and stay there overnight. Friday we go to village of Tabuan, then back to our main church in Tabgon on Saturday. Thank you for the prayers. God is really opening up doors in these previously unreached areas.

Caramoan Update

We have good weather here this morning. Will be in mountains next few days. I will post from there if there is signal. Please pray for our strength and safety.

BICOL and CHINA trips

My trip to Bicol was delayed by the death of one of our long-time members in Navotas.  My plan now is to depart Sunday night, October 18, and return to Navotas by early morning October 27.  After that, I will be leaving for China on October 31 and be there until November 11. I will keep you posted as much as possible while I travel.  It is possible that plans will change again with a new typhoon approaching the Philippines today.  We will see what path it takes.

MORE FLOODS IN NORTHERN LUZON

Since the terrible floods hit Metro Manila, the rain continued in Northern Luzon with accumulations up to 2 meters of rain in some places.  Needless to say there have been devastating floods and mudslides in a wide area.  The following article from http://www.inquirer.net/ summarizes much of the current situation.  For pictures and videos go to http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/  Here in Navotas, we are mostly back to normal except for many members working on repairs to their houses damaged in the storms.

Here is the article from inquirer.net :

Landslide deaths lift storm toll past 540

Agence France-Presse
First Posted 14:26:00 10/10/2009
Filed Under: Landslide, Flood, Pepeng, Ondoy, Disasters (general)

PANGASINAN, Philippines—The death toll from two weeks of unprecedented storms across the northern Philippines soared past 540 on Friday after landslides consumed homes and neck-deep floods inundated towns.

At least 181 people were killed in a series of rain-triggered landslides overnight Thursday and on Friday in the Cordillera region, local officials reported.

Meanwhile, the downstream farming plains of Central Luzon were inundated with waters that reached two storeys high after dams in the mountains could not hold the phenomenal amount of water that has fallen on the region.

"The rains in this area are unprecedented," the executive officer of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Glenn Rabonza, told Agence France-Presse.

"We are stretched, no doubt, but we are responding in the best way we can."

The crisis showed no signs of easing as tropical storm Pepeng (international codename: Parma), responsible for the past week of rains, continued to hover just off Luzon.

In Metro Manila, nearly 300,000 homeless survivors from Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) were packed into evacuation camps following record rains on September 26 that killed at least 337 people.

US troops helping out in the capital extended their relief work to the north on Friday, dispatching helicopters and other rescue equipment, the Filipino military said.

The US embassy announced an extra two million dollars in aid for the Parma victims on top of money and materials donated for the Ondoy operations, while UN humanitarian chief John Holmes is to begin a two-day visit to the country Monday to review relief efforts, the world body said.

The worst of the overnight landslides appeared to be in remote Benguet province, where 120 people were confirmed killed in five towns, said provincial governor Nestor Fongwan.

Another 38 people were confirmed killed in the neighboring mountain resort of Baguio, officials there said.

Across all of the north, the confirmed death toll from the landslides was 181, on top of the 25 people killed earlier by Pepeng.

In the farming region of Pangasinan province to the southwest of the provinces where the landslides occurred, thousands of people were stranded on rooftops in dangerously similar scenes to those in Manila a fortnight ago.

Days of rain from Parma forced authorities to open the gates on five dams, sending water cascading through dozens of towns in Pangasinan, which has a population of 2.5 million people.

"A lot of places cannot be reached by our rubber boats because the current is too strong due to the waters released by San Roque dam," Pangasinan governor Amado Espino said.

"The dam is supposed to be for flood control but now it is so filled it is like it is not there. The water just rushes right through from the mountains to Pangasinan."

The disaster council's Rabonza said about 60 percent of Pangasinan, including about 30 towns, were flooded with waters reaching as high as the second floor of buildings.

In the town of Rosales, neck-high waters swallowed up houses, vehicles, rice fields and even a large shopping mall.

Desperate local officials made urgent pleas for rubber boats and helicopters to rescue those stranded by the floods.

Parma has been hanging over the northern Philippines since initially hitting as a typhoon on October 3.

Parma hit the Philippines exactly one week after tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rains in more than four decades on Manila.

The government has been overwhelmed by the crisis, which has forced hundreds of thousands of people in Manila and other parts of Luzon into makeshift evacuation centres after losing their homes to the floods.

25 BAPTIZED IN NAVOTAS ON OCTOBER 4

We baptized 25 believers in our Navotas church yesterday, October 4, ranging in age from 12 to 77.  Praise God for people ready to truly identify and become one with Christ in His death and resurrection life.  To see all the pictures go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dale_mueller

UPDATE ON FLOODS and TYPHOON PARMA (PEPING)

Some areas of Metro Manila and Rizal Province still remain flooded with thousands in Evacuations Centers, after the floods created by more than 16 inches of rain in 9 hours from Typhon Ketsana (Ondoy) last September 24.  Classes resumed here in Navotas and most other parts of Metro Manila today, after 1 week of class cancellations.  The total death count now from this storm is at least 288, with many still missing.  After leaving the Philippines, Ketsana went on to kill 99 in Vietnam and 16 in Laos.

This last weekend (October 4-5) super typhoon Parma (Peping) hit the norther part of Luzon, where there were 16 deaths reported.  We had rain and some wind here in Navotas, but not enough for any serious damage.  Our churches in Caramoan, San Jose, Ragay and Malabon have all reported minor damage, especially to crops, but no major damage to houses or church buildings. 

We have evaluated combined damage from Ketsana (Ondoy) and Parma (Peping) here in Navotas to members houses.  Many that live next to and over Manila bay were damaged by wind and big waves.  We will be submitting a request for funds to IDES this week. 

Thank you for all your prayers.

FLOOD DEATH TOLL NOW AT 240

HERE IS THIS MORNING'S NEWS FROM LOCAL TV STATION ABS-CBN.

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/29/2009 8:17 AM

MANILA - The government has confirmed a total of 240 people dead and nearly 40 people still missing following devastating floods and landslides in Luzon caused by tropical storm Ondoy.
As of 6 a.m., the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said it has accounted for 240 dead people with 101 of the fatalities coming from Metro Manila and 88 in Rizal province.
The NDCC said 37 people remain missing and 5 people were injured due to flashfloods and landslides that hit several areas in Luzon on Saturday.
The number of those affected by the tropical storm’s onslaught on Saturday has climbed to 1.87 million.
The agency said 374,890 people were sheltered in 607 makeshift evacuation camps and schools around Metro Manila, Rizal and other areas in Luzon placed by the government under a state of national calamity.
The cost of damages to property and crops by Ondoy has also risen to P2.33 billion, the NDCC added.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, NDCC chairman and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the Philippine government will send requests for international assistance thru the United Nation Resident Coordinator.
The government, television networks, movie stars and non-government groups have been going out and pleading for relief goods, cash and medicine for the thousands of affected families staying in cramped evacuation centers.
Classes in all school levels in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas and other areas remained suspended on Tuesday.
Teodoro said he and education officials will meet on Tuesday to decide if there is a need to extend class suspensions.
He said the NDCC is preparing for another possible storm to enter while floods in some parts of Rizal province have yet to recede.
Fair weather
The government's weather bureau PAGASA said the southern part of Luzon and western section of Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies and rainshowers on Tuesday due to an enhanced southwest monsoon.
PAGASA weather bureau chief Prisco Nilo on Monday said that he expects fair weather in the next 2 to 3 days in Metro Manila.
"We don't expect prolonged strong rains in Metro Manila area," he added.

"What happened is that, the southwest monsoon is enhanced by Ondoy although it's far away already and so we're still experiencing some rains in Metro Manila and adjacent areas," Nilo said.
However, he said the weather situation could change significantly.
Nilo said the PAGASA has monitored two "cloud clusters" that may affect the Philippines in the coming weeks.
"These are only cloud clusters. They're not tropical depressions yet," he said.
as of 09/29/2009 8:17 AM

FLOOD AFTERMATH

THE DEATH COUNT IS NOW WELL OVER 100. I WILL POST A YOUTUBE VIDEO HERE THAT SHOWS HOW EXTREME THE FLOODS WERE.

UPDATE OF FLOOD STATISTICS

AS OF 8:45 PM SUNDAY.
THERE ARE NOW 75 CONFIRMED DEAD.
300,000 ARE OUT OF THEIR HOMES.
THE RAINFALL FOR A 9 HOUR PERIOD SATURDAY WAS 410.6 mm (approx. 16.2 inches)

UPDATE ON FLOODS

HERE IS AN UPDATE FOR STATUS OF OUR 5 MAIN CHURCHES AFTER THE STORM.
AS OF SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2:00 PM.
Except for occassional showers, the rain has stopped in all locations.
NAVOTAS:
After an early morning cleanup of the church building we had both our Sunday morning services. Many members had some damage to their house and got wet. They can all be repaired with some metal roofing and sheets of plywood.
MALABON
The Malabon Church, just across the river from Navotas was still flooded with knee deep water this morning. Services were cancelled. Water levels are slowly retreating.
RAGAY
The heavy rain stopped this morning. The church is on a hill, so no flooding in the church building. All the members are fine, except some lost their crops that were about to be harvested.
SAN JOSE
The heavy rain ended about mid-day, with sunshine this afternoon. Their services were well attended today. Many of the members here also lost their crops to heavy rain and floods.
CARAMOAN
The rain ended yesterday, but they remain quite windy. They also had considerable crop damage from days of heavy rain and wind.

So, overall, we are very thankful that we weathered the storm with no injuries, no church building damage, and only a few minor damages to members houses. The major problem will be the lasting effect of LOST CROPS in Ragay, San Jose and Caramoan. Let us give THANKS TO GOD for His protection and everlasting love. Do pray for the many farmers who will have a lean few months ahead until their crops can be regrown.

MANILA FLOODS

We had a wild Saturday (October 26). In the period 8 AM - 2 PM we had over 15 inches of rain. Although I don't know the official amount yet, it could even be double that for the 24 hour period. Needless to say we got flooded. Navotas is prone to floods anytime, but this was extreme. In other parts of the city there are still people stranded on rooftops and other places. As of this morning (Sunday)CNN has the death count at 50, but it will surely go much higher than that. As for our church members in Navotas, we are all safe, but not necessarily dry. Some lost their roofs and had other damage to their houses, but overall we fared well. It is 5:30 AM now and a group of youth are going to show up soon (I hope) so we can clean up the water on church floor (just a couple inches). The rain stopped during the night, so we likely have a better day today. As soon as I get information today from our churches in Malabon, Ragay, San Jose and Caramoan I will post it. Your prayers are appreciated as we dry out and patch up the damage done.

BACK IN NAVOTAS

I arrived back in Navotas 2:00 AM Monday. Thank you for the prayers for a productive trip. I did struggle with some health problems during the trip and they continue, so please keep me in your prayers, as you are in mine.

SUNDAY UPDATE FROM RAGAY

Thank you for the prayers. Youth Service and Sunday Service went well. God is doing a good work in the hearts of people here. Pray that they will be alert to the schemes of the devil to tear down again. Also, praise God, here is a picture of little girl Joy after her second and final surgery for cleft pallate.

UPDATE FROM RAGAY

Saturday afternoon. It has been raining pretty much continuously with another tropical storm approaching. I will be speaking tonight to youth fellowship and at Sunday morning worship service. Pray that we will have electricity. It has been out most of time. Normal for here. This afternoon I am talking with a group youth about our mission vision for Filipinos. I am blessed to see their eagerness.

ALREADY IN RAGAY

After all night travel, I arrived in Ragay. Pastors Tessie and Rove not here because of family emergency. So I am in charge for weekend. Our leadership training seminar postponed until next month when they get back. Church here doing well again after some problems in previous months. Praise God.

NAVOTAS STUDENT SUPPORT GROUP

These are 23 of our Student Support Group in Navotas together with me at a meeting with their parents on September 6.

256 CHILDREN AT SATURDAY EVENT IN NAVOTAS

We just finished a special meeting of our regular Children's Bible Fellowship with a special presentation by a group called EARTHSHAKERS. More than 256 of our children attended. Activities were based on a puppet version of Daniel and the lion's den. Our building was overfull and hot, but the kids were blessed.

BACK IN NAVOTAS

It is Tuesday night here. I just got back from my week long trip to Bicol. A little girl named Joy will have here second surgery tomorrow morning at 7:00 to correct a cleft pallate problem. Please pray for her.

UPDATE FROM CARAMOAN

We had a full church and great service here in Caramoan this morning. We continue to have good weather. I am always so blessed here by reports from Bible studies in remote mountain villages where literally hundreds are attending. They are so very hungry for the word of God. Praise God for willing workers in the church who walk many miles on mountain trails every week just for the opportunity to share the Word of God. Pray for their strength and safety.

ON BOAT GOING TO CARAMOAN

I'm on my way to Caramoan. After 2 hours on boat, there will be another hour across the mountains to church in Tabgon.

BICOL TRIP UPDATE

I'm on a bus now going to Ragay. Will spend day there to organize roof painting project. Surgeries for the 2 children delayed. One next week. Other next month. There is a typhoon developing near here so trip to Caramoan on Friday in doubt. Please pray.

ALL NIGHT RIDE TO BICOL

We left Navotas 9:30 PM Sunday night, delivered some materials and had breakfast in Ragay at 6:00 AM, then finally arrived in San Jose at 10:00 AM. Please be praying for 2 children that will be evaluated tomorrow for possible surgery this week to correct cleft pallates. Their names are Joy and John Arjay.

WHO AM I PERFORMANCE - NAVOTAS YOUTH

CHILDREN'S BIBLE FELLOWSHIP

Today, Saturday, August 8, 2009, we had our regular monthly Children's Bible Fellowship in Navotas with 171 kids. The teachers and helpers were mostly from our Student Support Program. Praise God for good weather and a great afternoon of ministry.

CHECK OUT UPDATES TO WEBSITE

Please check out updates on my website:
www.icm-phil.net

1. New links to this BLOG
2. Thank you letters posted from High School students
3. I have begun to re-organize picture posts using FLICR. See links on PICTURE page.

Thank you for your prayers.

GOING TO BICOL AGAIN

I will be in Bicol again August 9-18. I will be hauling a jeep load of paint for our buildings, Bibles and some equipment. Weather permitting, I will be in Caramoan August 15-16. We will also be arranging surgies for two children with cleft pallates. I will post updates on details.

WELCOME

Welome to my new blog. I pray that this will help my friends and supporters be more aware of what I am doing from day to day. I have set it up so that I can even update it from my cell phone when I am traveling. Please let me hear your comments, questions or suggestions. Simply click on the comment link at the bottom of each post. There is a security question to try to avoid spammers. May God be glorified in all that is posted here.