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God has a way of connecting His people… I remember last year when my family and I travelled to the Philippines, We had the opportunity to visit many churches and see first hand of the needs of the our brothers and sisters of the PFWB Church in the Philippines.
Rev. Ray Davis with Pastor Polly Visayan of the Bagong Sikat PFWB Church (February, 2008)
I saw a people who love the Lord and who were willing to make sacrifices to be a part of the church in their community. Most of the churches were unfinished. They didn't have air conditioning or fancy padded pews… Some didn't even have all the windows or even toilet facilities. Yet, the members were happy and proud to have a place to come and worship the Lord. Certainly, their hopes and prayers were that of being able to finish the church one day and that’s what they prayed.
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Many churches stuck in my mind after that trip. I remember praying, “Lord, please touch our hearts here in the USA and let us be able to help the people over there”.
God moved and there has been several individuals and churches who have prayed and gave to help our brothers and sisters overseas. I thank God for that and to each of you for anything you have done to assist. As it says in God’s word—give and it shall be given back to you, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over! We don’t “give” to “get”, but when we give with the right motives and heart, there is a benefit to that and we do “get” which gives us more opportunity to “give”! It’s a wonderful cycle.
One church stuck out in my mind as having a big need and that was the Bagong Sikat PFWB Church. It is located in a remote area of the Isabela Province and is a town of very poor people who mainly rely on rice planting/harvesting for their incomes. Rice farming is a very BIG task with little yield for income. If you could see what it takes to get a bag of rice, you would be just amazed! Anyway, that is a different article in itself. :) |
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The point I want to make is that they are poor people and to get enough money for a building fund would take decades without the help of others. They had saved up enough to get the concrete frame poured for their church a few years ago but have been in a building that the owner wanted them to vacate. Where would they go? Where would they worship now? So they did all they could do and that was to PRAY. They asked God to intercede and to help. And, do you know what happened? God moved!
A church HALF WAY AROUND THE WORLD had a burden to help with missions. They wanted to build a church. As a matter of fact, they wanted to build TWO churches!
Pastor Ted Mercer and the congregation of BURGAW HOLINESS PFWB CHURCH in Burgaw NC shared their desire with me and presented Rev. Dock Hobbs with a check of over $4200 to help build the Bagong Sikat Church and to help complete the Baguio PFWB Church! Praise God!!
I was able to meet with Rev. Joseph Benigno and Pastor Polly Visayan during my most recent trip to the Philippines last month.
Pastor Polly with some of the children of the church.
I had a chance to talk with Pastor Visayan and he shared how thankful and happy the congregation is that the Lord answered their prayers! He said even though he has not met the congregation of Burgaw, that they feel connected to them and looks forward to communicating through pictures and letters very soon! Thank you so much Pastor Ted Mercer and the fine members of BURGAW HOLINESS PFWB CHURCH for helping out. Your generous gift is making a difference. A church can be built for about $3000—$3500 now (due to the recent drop in the value of the dollar). May the Lord bless you all!
Should any other church want to help out with building a church or any other project needs in the NORTHERN PHILIPPINES, please contact me at pastorraydavis@yahoo.com or the World Witness Department to make arrangements. You can also donate online.
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