Report and pictures from Ptr Randy of distributing typhoon relief in early December
Here is a report and pictures of the initial $500 (21,575 pesos) of typhoon relief distributed by Ptr Randy. 
Since we had more donations designated for typhoon relief come in, $600 more will be distributed next. Depending on further donations, we’ll probably approve a third batch of aid after that.
By the way, I’ve heard from Ptr Randy that their electricity in Allen, Northern Samar was restored 25 days after the Nov. 7 typhoon. So he can do his radio program again.
-Mike Thorud
This is what Ptr Randy says to go with the pictures:
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Ptr Randy's visits to typhoon devastated southern Samar
Although it looked like it could hit us at one point, PAMI ministries were fortunate to be spared from damage from
super typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) that hit the Philippines on Nov. 8th. Its path stayed 100 miles away. The closest PAMI churches were two in the northern part of Samar Island. One of them is Pastor Randy’s church in Allen, Northern Samar. Although he may not have electricity for a couple months, at least the people and buildings there are okay. But places in the southern part of that same island were hard hit. Places like Basey and Marabut in southern Samar are right next to Tacloban, which has been widely publicized in the news. They were devasted just like Tacloban. Pastor Randy and some other pastors have travelled to Basey and Marabut to offer grief counselling and other assistance. These are a few pictures from his visits there. Read More
Sept 5th email update
Dear PAMI friends,
The purpose of this email is twofold: to give some mission updates and to invite you to a fun presentation by me and my energetic friends Ben & Pam Wellumson. This presentation will include stories, pictures, videos, and music from our three week visit to the Philippines in March. Apple cider and something sweet from the Philippines will be provided. It’s scheduled 6:30 – 8:00 pm next Monday, September 9th in the lower activity room of Apple Valley Villa, located at 14610 Garrett Ave, Apple Valley, MN. This is the senior apartment building where my aunt Ardelle Thorud lives. She’s inviting some of the residents, but the presentation is open to non-residents as well. If you are interested, just show up.
· The EBI school year started in June, with 6 Freshmen, 5 Sophomores, 6 Juniors and 4 Seniors — 21 Students in all.
New PAMI trip video by Ben Wellumson
Click here to view a 6 minute video that not only shows excerpts from our 3 week mission trip in March, but also portrays contrasts and captures feelings. First, there’s the contrast of going from the cold white winter of Minnesota to the warm green liveliness of the Philippines. One can feel overwhelmed by the flurry of activity, but also be moved in the heart to stand in awe of God’s creation and people.
PAMI Newsletter June 2013
The June 2013 PAMI Newsletter is now published:
PAMI News June 2013
You may also wish to view the following reports and pictures from the Ptr. Virgilio and the Bulan church:
Fulo report 5-31-13
Bulan Christian Church Highlights
Amazing Boat Ride in Matnog
On Saturday morning March 23 we took the ferry with Pastor Randy back to his hometown of Matnog. After lunch at his sister’s house, we were blessed to go on an amazing ride on his sister and brother-in-law’s boat. This included stops at Tikling Island and the Juag Fish Pens & Subic Beach of Calitaan Island. These places were remote pristene treasures, and truly a highlight. Tikling Island is a place that Pastor Randy has held youth camps. On Tikling Island we saw a treehouse that brought Robinson Crusoe to mind and we found some great shells. The sand on the beach was a pinkish white color. It rained while we were snorkeling but we didn’t mind. We saw a rainbow as we traveled between Tikling and the Fish Pens. Although the fish pens were supposedly closed, Pastor Randy was able to bring us there since the owner is a classmate/friend of his. We even got to swim with the fish. What a treat to snorkel in the midst of a huge school of big fish. Some were particularly colorful and unique tropical fish. There also were 2-3 foot giant clams and huge 1-2 foot spiny tiger lobsters. To top off this wonderful afternoon was an awesome red sunset. A boat trip like this towards the end of our three week trip was like have a delicious dessert after a full course meal.
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Picnic at San Benon Spring (Mateo Hotsprings) in Irosin on March 20
Our 6 night roadtrip concluded by getting back to EBI on March 19 in time for the 1 pm graduation of 6 seniors (see April 2 post). Since the teachers were all on campus for the graduation, we also had a local PAMI board meeting that evening. With only one night in our nice guestroom beds at EBI, we then headed out for another 5 night roadtrip, beginning with a post-graduation picnic at hotspring pools in Irosin. This was meant as a despedita party for all PAMI worker families and EBI students to attend. Food was prepared early in the morning at EBI and brought along. We also brought some snack foods from the U.S. to share (craisins, beef jerky, nutella & peanut butter, Reese’s Pieces, Gummi-Bears, etc.). Two jeepneys were reserved to make this special trip. A bunch of us enjoyed riding on the roof. There was much eating and laughter, water play and swimming races, singing, and an informal all-workers meeting was held towards the end. Then in the late afternoon, one jeepney brought some of us to the ferry boat terminal in Matnog (to go on to Samar) and the other jeepney brought people back to EBI.
Visiting Pastor Gumer and Ofie Gile of Irosin PAMI Church March 18-19 & March 23-24
On the morning of Monday March 18, Ptr Virgilio and Letty Fulo put us onto a jeepney bound from Bulan to Irosin. Since the lower part was fairly full, Ben and Mike got to ride on the roof. Click here to see a video of Mike and Ben “Riding on top a jeepney from Bulan to Irosin,” which included seeing the lion statues at the Irosin-Matnog-Bulan crossroads, and the Valleyview overlook of rice fields nestled between Mount Bulusan and other volcanic mountains/hills.
Once we got to the Welcome pilar in Irosin, we got off and walked east past the market to the PAMI Church. Then we visited a couple homes in the San Agustin Barangay of Irosin, as well as rode up and down a road past Mapaso. We got to be with Pastor Gumer in the radio broadcasting shack during his half-hour program, which included Ben & Pam singing a song. Then we did a Kids Time back at the church. Early the next morning (March 19) we returned back to EBI from our 6 night roadtrip, in time for the EBI graduation that afternoon (see April 2nd post).
We returned to Irosin one last time on Saturday night March 23 on our way back from Samar & Matnog with Pastor Randy. That way we were in Irosin for the March 24 Sunday morning Sunday school and worship service. Pam shared a testimony and song of how she experienced the love of Jesus through her grandmother, and Ben shared a message about the language of the Spirit/heart.
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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July PAMI Newsletter
The July 2012 PAMI Newsletter is now available. Click here.