* Update on the PRFA

 

 

The First Reformed Church of Bulacan has a mission outreach in Albuera, Leyte - the Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Albuera (PRFA).  As many of you know, the saints there were affected by Typhoon Yolanda (international name, Haiyan), with damage to their homes and the church building.

 

Last week, FRCB was able to send a delegation of two men from their consistory to visit the saints there and help them in their need.  The delegation reported that the members of the fellowship there were most grateful to God for His protection in preserving their lives and keeping them from injury.  We are thankful that the assistance which has been received has provided for the needs of these brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

 

The reconstructed frame of the church building.

 

 

Most of the trees on the hills are wiped out

 

 

Notice the broken high tension wire tower.

 

 

Pastor Flores bringing the comfort of the Word to the saints there.

 

 

A rainbow - a sign of God's covenant faithfulness to His people.

 

  We appreciate the loving concern that many have expressed for our dear fellow believers.  We thank the Lord that He was pleased to keep them safe and that their needs are being met.

 

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."  (Psalm 46:1-3)

 

  

* Typhoon Santi - October 11-12, 2013

 

This past Sunday we were in Gabaldon so Rev. Kleyn could preach there.  On the trip we witnessed damage that was done by a typhoon, Typhoon Santi, that went through the area a couple of weeks earlier on October 11 & 12.  We took some pictures, and thought you might be interested in seeing the damage such a storm can do.

 

 

Two large trees on the roof of this building.  I wonder if the building can be repaired.

 

 

The power of the wind that can bring down a tree of this size!!

 

 

Road repair will be needed with this one.

 

 

Hopefully no one was inside this house when it collapsed.

 

 

In Gabaldon, Brother Lando and Sister Liwanag lost some lovely trees outside their house, as well as part of their roof.

 

 

Some sunlight coming through the roof of the church building.  This building is right next to Bro. Lando's house, so it received some damage too.

 

 

These once tall trees made this a beautiful, shaded stretch of road.  Every single one was snapped off in the wind.  :-(

 

 

 

A sad sight.

Mango orchards received a big hit, with many trees down.  Although not all of them died, you can see a couple dead ones in the picture below.  We were told that it will take the trees 6 months or so to recover, so I would think the next harvest will be affected.

 

 

 

 

A ruined stand of bamboo. 

 

 

 

There is not much left of this hut.  Again, hopefully no one was hurt.

 

 

 

 

 

There was a lot of traffic on the way home, due to the holiday.  For All Saints Day and All Souls Day, many people travel home to their province to visit the graves of their dead relatives.  We caught all the returning traffic on our way home.

 

 

But we also saw a beautiful rainbow -- a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and love.

 

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 9:14

 

Now the Philippines is experiencing yet another typhoon: Super Typhoon Yolanda (its international name is Haiyan).  Yolanda is expected to move through quite a ways south of Manila.  But we do have some concern for our contacts in Leyte, Bacolod City, and Southern Negros Occidental.  Our comfort is that the hand of our sovereign Lord is on this storm, moving it according to His wisdom and purpose, for His glory and the salvation of His church.

 

The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.  The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Psalm 77:17, 18

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28