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Earthquake Update -- One Year Later
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Children in the earthquake zone were traumatized. This boy broke down and cried when told his family would receive help to rebuild their broken house.
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A year ago this week, we got news of a devastating earthquake in the Philippines on the island of Bohol where we had more than 300 sponsored children. We could not immediately reach all of our pastors because electricity and communication was down across the island. Most businesses were closed because of structural damage and lack of electricity. Many homes, churches, schools and businesses were destroyed or badly damaged. In two towns where we have many sponsored children, every structure in town was destroyed or damaged. Adding to the problems were heavy rains and wind when Super-typhoon Yolanda hit them 2 weeks later. I tried to imagine what it would be like to go through a Cat 5 hurricane in a canvas tent. Life was hard and chaotic on Bohol for several weeks and months in the hardest hit areas.
There is a lot of celebration this week on the island of Bohol as they mark the one-year anniversary of these events. They are celebrating life itself and thanking God for sparing them and helping them in the restoration. On Wednesday in Catigbian, near the epicenter there was a parade of thanksgiving to God followed by a citywide celebration in which the Gospel was preached and many came to know Jesus as the Savior who has cared for them.
It is true that when times are hardest, people turn to the Lord. Many people have been saved in the past year as the Gospel is unashamedly shared to disaster victims. One of our pastors has said that tragedy and disaster opens the hearts of people to hear the Gospel and accept Jesus. This has certainly been true. The churches are seen as places of refuge and help. In one church there are still people sleeping there every night. The last count was that 3 widows and 16 orphans are sleeping at the church.
We are so thankful that in this great disaster, not one of our sponsored children were killed or seriously injured.
Read more of the update -- what God has done and how the money you sent was used to help victims on All God's Children Blog
Thank you for your response that made it possible for us to give a drink of water and more in Jesus Name. Gifts to our disaster fund are placed in a fund to be used in emergency situations such as this so we can respond immediately to needs. To give, go to Disaster Relief Fund.
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Your help is needed to support the core of the ministry
Ministry Partners and Friends -- Stand with us with a gift for sustaining the overall ministry of FCM.
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Ministry to Children in Philippines
Caring for Widows and Orphans - Help care for widows and orphans
Become A Child's Sponsor - $30 a month per child
Give to Food for Learning -- Help feed hungry children in the Philippines. Any amount helps a lot.
Disaster Relief Fund -- Provides help for emergency needs resulting from floods, earthquakes, fires, etc.
If you prefer to send a check instead of giving online, make the check to "FCM," and send it to Fullness in Christ Ministries, PO Box 136117, Fort Worth, TX 76136. Attach a note letting us know your desire and that is how your gift will be used. You will be blessed.
NOTE: Please send checks or money orders in US dollars only -- no foreign currency please.
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Kathy Bohlin is Executive Vice President of FCM & Director of our missions in the Philippines. She works closely with local pastors who care for almost 900 FCM sponsored children in 24 locations on 4 islands. In the Philippines the children affectionately call her Ate (Ah tay) Kathy.
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