EBI Christmas caroling, balikbayan boxes, and Bulabog
EBI did five nights of Christmas caroling, where students, staff, and staff family visited various people to sing for them, and then were given a few coins in return. The proceeds from this caroling helped buy a sound board mixing system.
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Penafrancia developments
Penafrancia is a neighborhood about 2 kilometers east of Emmaus Bible Institute (towards downtown Sorsogon), 
and is connected with the Catubig family. Pastor Rolly Catubig graduated from EBI a couple years ago, and is a part-time fisherman and part-time pastor. His part-time support comes from the offering of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. His daughter Liezyl graduated from EBI last March, and his daughter Michelle is currently an EBI junior.
Pastor Rolly has led Bible study outreaches in Penafrancia for a couple years. These outreaches have especially grown this last year after conducting film showing and evagelism help from EBI students. As mentioned in the November 2013 PAMI newsletter, EBI students helped do evangelism in Penafrancia as part of a Discipleship class. EBI students also helped with construction of a small chapel there. Some of these photos show home outreaches and chapel construction. Read More
Post-trip email sent out April 9th
Please look far enough down this letter to see a list of how God answerred prayers in many ways.
Dear PAMI friends and relatives,
Ben, Pam, and I are back from our 3 week visit to the Philippines and have so much to share about PAMI and our ministry and adventures there. Although we got back on March 27, I’ve been holding off on sending post-trip email until having several posts ready to view on The PAMI Post. Read More
Visiting Samar Island on March 20-23
After the EBI and PAMI worker family picnic, we left San Benon Hotsprings ~4 pm and boarded a ferry in Matnog ~5 pm, which departed right away ~5:30 pm. The ferry takes about 1.5 hours to go from Matnog to Allen, Samar. Since Pastor Randy knows the ferry crew, we had special permission to ride on the top deck with all the liferafts. What an idyllic moment it was to relax up there with the setting sun, sea breaze, gentle swaying of the boat, and panoramic views of palm forested volcanic ranges looming and then receding in the distance. We felt like veteran travelors headed out to one last far-flung road trip. We were headed out to our farthest point away from home. A long-term goal of PAMI has been to spread to unreached regions further south. That’s why PAMI’s most recently added workers and interns have been sent to Samar–to support pioneering efforts in Catarmin and San Isistro. We were going to visit the frontiers/front lines of the mission.
While in Samar, we stayed three nights in the rented church/house of Pastor Randy and Nida Rivera in downtown Allen and made side-trips from there.
On Thursday March 21, we spent the morning going east to Lavezares and Bankawan Island (see the April 4th post titled Ministering to Kids on Bankawan Island (a video sample of a Kids Time). In the afternoon we went further east with Pastora Lordilyn and EBI intern Sister Jennalyn (Monang) to Catarmin, which is the newest pioneering site of PAMI, started last October. Catarmin is the capital of the province of Northern Samar. It’s a fairly big and strategic city, with a mixture of higher class and poverty areas. Interestingly, when we took a tricycle across town, at one place traffic crossed right through an airport runway (which only gets gated off when a plane lands or takes off). While in Catarmin we went to a cafe for lunch (with cake for a special treat), visited the humble home of an outreach, visited Ptra Lordy and Sis Jennalyn’s current boarding house and the place where they’re soon planning to transfer, and did a Kids Time in the street. Although thunder indicated impending rain, we were thankful it held out until we were done.
On Friday March 22, we spent the morning going south to San Isidro to see where Pastor Edward is ministering with two EBI interns, Sister Ella and Sister Catherine. We did a Kids Time in the home where they normally meet for church services. We also visited their boarding house next to the sea, and the home of an outreach near a college. On the way back, we stopped at Villa Veronica Beach Resort (a.k.a. Spice of Life Beach) in Buenos Aires, Victoria, where we enjoyed a little snorkeling and a picnic lunch in a thatched roof cottage. From 3-4 pm we sat in on Pastor Randy’s Heatline daily radio program in Allen. We shared some advice to people who had written in about personal dilemas, and Ben and Pam sang a song. That evening we went to an open-air plaza/basketball court in Buenos Aires, where Ben & Pam sang with some children and the “Jesus” film was shown. Once again we were thankful that the rain held out, even though there was distant lightning and clouds approaching.
On Saturday morning March 23 we took the ferry with Pastor Randy back to his hometown of Matnog.
Visiting Pastor Virgilio & Letty Fulo in Bulan March 15 – 18
After leaving beautiful Bulusan, we then crossed from the east side of Sorsogon Province to the west side, dropping off Pastor Gumer in his home of Irosin along the way. We’d be stopping back in Irosin after spending the weekend in Bulan. From Irosin to Bulan, and back from Bulan to Irosin, these were the only travel legs in the province where we were without a native escort. So we had to rely on my (Mike’s) memory of where to go, which eventually got us to our destinations in a bit of a round about fashion. One of my landmarks for finding the PAMI Church in Bulan is that I remembered it was close to the cemetary in a part of town called San Vicente. Cemetaries there look a bit different than back home, what with crypts stacked up to 3 or 4 high and people hanging laundry there.
Bulan is where PAMI started 30 years ago when my uncle Norval and aunt Ardelle Thorud arrived as PAMI’s first missionaries in 1982. In turn, the Bulan church is the most well developed, what with it’s own property and large building, a large group of active elders and deacons and young people that help with ministry, and three daughter churches in outlying barangays of Bulan (i.e. Fabrica pastored by Joel Homo , Lapinig pastored by Pio Guray, and Monte Calvario pastored by Nonie Polo). Besides being head of the Bulan partition of four churches, Pastor Virgilio Fulo has also served as overall field director since Pastor Chito passed away last June. Pastor Virgilio and his wife Letty have been with PAMI a long time–since 1984–Virgilio being one of the first EBI students and Letty being one of the first EBI teachers (they got married in 1990).
Since Letty used to live with my uncle and aunt, she’s familiar with American comfort foods and took good care of us. That was especially nice when all three of us got sick digestive systems our first night (must have been something we ate or drank in Bulusan). While we were taking turns making urgent trips to the CR (comfort room = bathroom) all night, we were sure glad it was happening here rather than on a crowded jeepney ride. Fortunately, Pam and I felt well enough the next morning to attend the March 16 group baptism (see April 2nd post), while Ben stayed behind to sleep it off. Then by late afternoon, all three of us were well enough to do a Kids Time at the home of Bro James Tumula in North Roque, Bulan. After the Kids Time we walked through the rice field across the street for a Bible study at Brother Manding’s house (where a blind guy played the guitar). They showed us the property next to Bro Manding’s house that he plans to donate for construction of a daughter church building to eventually replace the Fabrica church rental. As we walked back to the main highway, I took a couple nice sunset pictures over the rice field. Saturday night I showed Pastor Virgilio’s son Alvin how to use the laptop, projector, and camera we gave them for church use.
On Sunday morning, Ben and Pam did another Kids Time in place of Sunday school. Ben and Pam also sang a special number during the morning worship service, and I gave a sermon about The Great Commission and our mission. We enjoyed watching the tamborine dancing of the the Young People. We also enjoyed teaching and hanging out with the Young People from 1:30 – 6:30 in the afternoon. Their energy and laughter was one of the highlights of the whole trip. Rather than head to Irosin Sunday afternoon, we decided to stay one more night in Bulan. That way we had time to go to JollyBees (where I played chess against Ptr Joel). We also played Uno back at the parsonage, with one hand that was never-ending (over an hour).
Visiting Pastor Vergil Gacis, Mama Helda , and Brother Ric Mendizabal in Bulusan March 14-15
After overnighting with Pastor Pio Garduque’s family in Barcelona, we just headed a few miles south to Bulusan, which is another seaside community on the east side of Sorsogon Province, facing the big Pacific Ocean. This is where PAMI has a rented house/church in the barangay of Sapngan, Bulusan pastored by Ver Gacis, a single, thirty-year-old young man. Pastor Ver is assisted by a very energetic and friendly seventy-year-old widow named Mama Helda, who not only is a great cook, but also knowledgeable of herbal medicines and natural holistic therapies. Mama Helda had come to the church early in the morning to cook a bunch of food in anticipation of our arrival (which was about noon). After lunch and a little rest, we wanted to cool down in the stream running next to the church. But to get to an easy access point, we hiked a half mile up the road towards the barangay of San Francisco. Since we’re always sweating from it being so hot, it was so refreshing to dip into the cool waters running down from Mount Bulusan volcano.
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Visiting Pastor Pio Garduque in Barcelona March 13-14
While our first week in Sorsogon Province involved an overnight trip to Castilla, a weekend at EBI, and an overnight trip to Donsol, the second week was one big road trip (6 nights away from our EBI homebase), beginning with visiting Pastor Pio Garduque’s family in Barcelona. Since Pastor Gumer Gile is the partition head of PAMI churches in Castilla, Donsol, Barcelona, Bulusan, and Irosin, he accompanied us to each of these five places. Pastor Gumer’s smiling presense added an assuring and helpful consistancy. He got us on and off the right buses or jeepneys, informed us of the correct fare, helped carry stuff, served as interpreter, shared songs and prayers, and participated in discussions. We also learned useful tips from Pastor Gumer, like how its handy to drape a mosquito net over a table at night with your sleeping pad under it.
Since we arrived in Barcelona about noon on March 13, we began with a tasty lunch prepared by Pastor Pio. Besides being a pastor, Pastor Pio is a talented carpenter and cook.
After lunch, Pastor Pio had a busy schedule planned for us, wanting us to conduct Kids Times in 3 different places–2 pm in the school grounds of Cagon (a barangay named after a crab), 4 pm in a far-away group of thatched roof houses near a stream (Barangay Bangate, sitio Common), and 7 pm back at the rented house/church in the barangay of Luneta.
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Addendum to first few days of Mike, Pam & Ben's 3-week visit
Since the home church of Bro Leo (a senior student at EBI) owns a vehicle, it was nice they let Bro Leo pick us up from Legazpi airport and drive us a couple other days as well. After getting picked up at the airport, we stopped at a mall to buy a guitar, saw Cagsawa Ruins, and hiked to the top of the Lignon Hill overlook.
There was a vendor at Cagsawa Ruins that sold us a photo of a past eruption of Mayon Volcano in the background. As a bonus, she made Sister Ofel and Sister Pam look like giants. She also made Brother Mike look like superman by holding a rock in front of the camera to make it look like he was lifting a boulder (see previous post).
Cagsawa Ruins consists of a bell tower left from an old Spanish church that got covered by mud and fall out from an eruption of Mayon Volcano in the early 1800s.
From on top of Lignon Hill you get a good view of the seaside city of Legazpi. You also get a good view of Mayon Volcano and rice fields (see previous post).
Brother Ben is using his iPad in Castilla Church to show how people drill holes in the ice of Minnesota lakes to catch fish in the winter. Then he and Pam go on to ask how Filipinos fish differently than Minnesotans (i.e. with a net), and then tell the Bible story from the last chapter in John of The Big Catch and becoming fishers of people.
Had about 70 attend the first Kids Time, which was done on March 7th at Castilla Church.
Ben and Pam’s first time in a banka (canoe with outriggers), to get to the beach on the other side of the channel from downtown Castilla.
Pastor Redgie, Sister Aireen, and their daughter Aira Lois in front of their living quarters in Castilla (this is property donated by Mrs. Luz Ortega, used as the church until construction of the new church building about 1 km away a couple years ago funded by Korean Christians).
One of Pastor Redgie’s home Bible studies in Castilla
Pastor Redgie and Aireen Bonifacio, with daughter Aira Lois and baby David Chito (born last July 1, which was Pastor Chito Mendizabal’s birthday).
The travelors coming back to EBI on Friday afternoon, March 8.
Pam and Ben sharing with Padaba (well loved) kids sponsored by Compassion International. Compassion kids come to EBI every Saturday from 8 am – 2 pm.
After Compassion, we went to Sirangan, a low income area near the market of downtown Sorsogon. Children and adult outreaches are conducted there every Saturday afternoon in the building of a daycare center. Funds for feedings, school supplies, and Christmas toys for kids in this location are supplied by a business woman in Manila named Sister Carol who originally came from this neighborhood. Ben and Pam conducted a Kids Time this Saturday.
After the Sirangan Kids Time, we walked around the pier of Sorsogon City, which is sort of a public plaza.
Statue of Pili Nuts on Sorsogon Pier. Sorsogon Province is noted for their pili nuts, which are often made into a candy with a carmelized coating.
Walking on the rock wall that connects the Sorsogon Pier to shoreline.
Paying respects to at the grave of Pastor Chito after visiting the Sorsogon Pier
Emmaus Sunday school kids getting ready for singing a special number.
Sunday service at Emmaus Christian Fellowship, which is a campus church that also serves the local community.
Singing praises as Brother Leo drives us to an outreach in Capuy on Sunday afternoon.
One gets to the Capuy outreach by walking along a pathway next to a stream/inlet that connects to Sorsogon Bay. Most people that live here are fishermen. We finished walking to the bay after the Kids Time (see picture in previous post of children standing in water).
The Capuy outreach includes an adult Bible study in the veranda of this house, while the children meet in an open air cottage a block away.
Kids Time in Capuy. Note how Pam is trying to expain ice fishing with a white box with a hole in it to catch the pipe cleaner fish held by Ben below.
Ben making shredded coconut
Fancy dish cooked at EBI with Ben’s shredded coconut
Kids in Donsol playing with tops
Kids in Donsul Church
Kids of Donsul Church giving a special number with Pastor Abner
Kids Time in Donsul Church
Preparing for feeding in Pastor Abner’s kitchen. Can also see some bakery equipment in the kitchen (e.g. plates of food on top of oven in foreground, and cooling racks in right rear)
Feeding time in Donsol Church
Pastor Abner Cornelio family in their rented Donsol house/church
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After sleeping overnight in with Pastor Abner’s family in Donsol, on the morning of March 12 we decided to take a break and rent a boat for 3 hours to try to spot a whaleshark. Although we saw no whalesharks, we did enjoy seeing some friendly Nemo clownfish.
Report from Bulan Young People (YP)
Download and read this update from the PAMI Bulan church Young People (youth group), covering ministry activities from July to December 2012. It’s wonderful to hear how God is working in the lives of the PAMI youth.