Effects of Dec 14th Typhoon Nona (Melor)
Photos of EBI and Bulan Church activities
Pastor Virgilio Fulo sent photos of EBI and Bulan Church activities. Click here to see the report.
EBI Grand Reunion held April 2nd
4/7/2015 from PAMI overall field director Ptr Virgilio Fulo: Thank God because the EBI Grand Reunion goes well and it was successful. In spite of Depression Chedeng, God gave us good weather to celebrate. Sister Letty gave and present EBI history very well. We play also all the pictures from first commencement exercises up to 18th exercises as a Powerpoint presentation. Sis. Let received an award of certificate and trophy for her commitment and dedication in PAMI mission for over 30 years.
We felt joy, smile and laughter for how many years not seeing each other. We develop love, concern, and unity among the pastors. I strongly believe that in unity there is strength. Everybody is happy to see each other. Our dreams and plans were made into reality and fulfilled by God.
Attendance was 55 alumni from different towns of Sorsogon and a few other places. Read More
EBI 18th commencement held March 16, 2015
EBI director, Sister Ofel Mendizabal wrote on April 7th:
Praise God! The Commencement Exercises were done in His Amazing grace. Our Graduation theme was “SHAPED FOR SERVING GOD” 1 Cor. 3:56. Ptr. Gumercendo Gile was our Commencement Speaker. It started at 1 pm – 4 pm. Many people attended the event and some people from Samar visited the Bible School. One grandmother of a graduating student said: “At last, we have now a servant of God in our family called Pastora. They are really joyful and blessed that they became part of this event and proud of their love ones who fully committed in the service of God. It was such a wonderful occasion because God was and will be using EBI an instrument of nurturing people/students in spiritual aspects of their lives. As another great moment of their lives came to an end, we know that they are well-equipped and well-trained as they continue the journey in their lives serving God and fully trust in Him.
See more of the report and see more photos by clicking “more”:
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Ushering in the new year in Bulabog and Penafrancia
Bulabog and Penafrancia are daughter churches of Emmaus Bible Institute (EBI) and each just celebrated their first year anniversaries as PAMI churches in combination with celebrating the new year.
Bulabog church (2 km west of EBI) ushered in the new year with a 9 pm – 2 am celebration (see pictures below). They’ve really progressed since becoming a PAMI church a year ago. See the Bulabog Powerpoint put together by EBI people. Also refer to the November 2014 PAMI Bulletin, which highlights a big youth event at the Bulabog church and a group baptism of 23 from there. (Also see the following blog entry: http://ec2-3-90-243-237.compute-1.amazonaws.com/2014/10/29/bulabog-youth-gathering-baptism-and-other-news-from-sis-ofel/ ).
A big factor to the success of Bulabog church is Pastor Marlon Gabion (purple shirt in below pictures). Pastor Marlon Gabion is an EBI graduate (graduated March 2013) that could use a sponsor. We have been giving him $75 per month from our general funds, but it would be better if his allowance could be covered by a sponsor instead. Pastor Marlon is the pastor of Bulabog church and also helps teach and do other duties at EBI. The Bulabog church has really thrived this last year since Pastor Marlon started working there. Pastor Marlon is a very good people person, and passionate about spreading the Gospel like the apostles Peter or Paul.
By clicking on “more”, you can see pictures from the Bulabog church and Penafrancia church new year gatherings, and also read the Jan. 9th report from Sister Ofel Mendizabal, director of EBI.
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Christmas Cantata and Celebration at EBI
A Christmas Cantata and Celebration was held at EBI on December 21st and attended by 324 people, including many of the 150 Compassion sponsored kids and their families, and members of Emmaus Christian Fellowship. Below are more pictures and a report about this and other EBI Christmas activities (including 4 nights of caroling).
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Bulabog Youth Gathering & Baptism and other news from Sis Ofel
23 souls from Bulabog were baptized on Oct. 25h in a hot spring pool
Thanks to your gifts and prayers, PAMI ministries keep going strong. Here’s an Oct 27th report from Sis. Ofel Mendizabal, head of Emmaus Bible Institute, which gives an encouraging glimpse of recent happenings:
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Before and After: Typhoon Repairs
Check out these PDF files showing before and after typhoon repairs:
EBI before-after repairs 1
EBI before-after repairs 2
Pictures and more info about Typhoon Glenda damage
Front of EBI campus, showing roof blown off Ptr Raf’s house and bamboo fence knocked over
This cottage which was recently constructed in early June is now collapsed.
Windows in back of session hall are broken
Tree on top of back of session hall
Since my last blog entry about Typhoon Glenda, I’ve received pictures from Sister Ofel that help one better visualize the extent of the damage. It’s a bit sobering to become more aware of someone else’s pain, and then to remember they are fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, members of our same body. I think of how 1Cor12:25-26 says to the body that “…its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it…”
After viewing this post, I hope you will consider praying for or helping financially with recovery efforts. It is estimated that it will take about $2000 to complete repairs at EBI, and probably another $1000-2000 to help the other PAMI churches and church members. There is no insurance to help with this unforeseen extra expense, so we could really use extra gifts. If you want to make a tax-deductible gift, see the donate tab on the PAMI website: http://www.pamimission.org/donate Read More
Road widening in front of EBI causes loss
A couple months ago Emmaus Bible Institute was notified by the Department of Public Works and Highways that our front cement wall and half the former bakery building would be torn down to make way for a wider road and drainage canal. Even though our wall and bakery were within the lot dimensions specified on our government issued deed, and no easements are listed on the deed, the DPWH insisted that they had a right-of-way and that no compensation would be granted. It is frustrating not only to lose about 6% of our lot, but also to incur about $2000 of extra expenses. It cost about $1000 to add a new room to the back side of the former bakery building and will cost another $1000 to replace the front cement wall. A temporary bamboo fence has been put up in the meantime. Even though the building hasn’t been used as a bakery for a couple years, it has been the living quarters of Pastor Rafael Dominguez and his family since June 2012. When it was a bakery, there was a room in the back where the bread was made, and a room in the front where the bread was displayed and sold. The room in the back became a bedroom, and the room in the front became a kitchen and living room. Now that the front room was torn down, an additional room was added in the back, filling an 8 foot gap to the next building. This additional room will now serve as a modest new kitchen and bathroom. Read More