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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Pictures from Irosin and Patag
To see many more pictures, click on “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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Some Bulan Church activities from Nov 2014 – Jan 2015
December 21, 2014 – 400 attended Christmas Celebration
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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Pastor Lorenzo Fugen in Bulusan
New Bulusan church signboard, printed on front and back, yet to be mounted on a post.
While the December 2014 PAMI newsletter had a short blurb on Pastor Lorenzo Fugen, this post supplies additional information. For reference, here’s what was posted in the December 2014 PAMI newsletter regarding Ptr Lorenz:
Lorenz is one of two or three PAMI pastors that could use a motorcycle to reach more people and use time more effectively. He could especially use one to do more Bible studies, go back and forth to help at EBI and other towns, and help transport film showing equipment. New motorcycles cost $1200-1500 each.
Nov 29th Bulan Baptism of 15
On November 29th, another group baptism was conducted at a beach near Bulan. The 15 people baptized that day came from the following outreaches of the PAMI Bulan Church and it’s daughter churches: 11 from Fabrica, 3 from Togbongon, and 1 from Tanga. Below are pictures from that day, along with two pictures from Fabrica (one of a chidren’s ministry and one of a new Bible study meeting every Friday). Read More
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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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