Update

I have received word that the date of the funerals will be different than the one I gave previously. I will update when I get the final word. Sam and Ate Weng will be buried next to each other in Eternal Gardens in Dagupan City.

-Melissa M.
EMC International: Philippines coordinator

Helping our family in a time of great sorrow

Services and burial for Sam and Ate Weng are expected to take place within the next few days. I personally would like to ask for your assistance during this heartbreaking time. I ask for your help in covering funeral and burial expenses. This is a time of great sorrow and a time of great need. I am confident that God will provide our needs and I ask that if you are touched or your life has been touched by  Sam and Ate Weng, that you open your heart and assist Pastor Ferdinand and his family. Please continue to pray for the Balmores family, the Cuison family and the entire EMC family.

I truly thank you during this difficult time,
Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator

With a heavy heart......

With a heavy heart I inform our friends that two of our leaders Samuel Balmores, who is the son of Pastor Ferdinand Balmores and Rowena Cuison died on Monday October 31, 2011(local time).

Ate Weng

Words cannot begin to describe how we feel. Sam and Rowena, who I affectionately call Ate Weng were like siblings to me. Both loved Christ and were loved by the entire EMC family. Sam and Ate Weng were more than just friends, more than just leaders. They were the beloved son and daughter of parents, wonderful siblings, and to us in New York, they were our brother and sister in Christ.

As painful as this is, we find comfort in the knowledge that even though we can't possibly begin to comprehend why this happened, God is still sovereign and all things are in His hand. There are some things that we are not prepared for in life. But we take solace in the fact that Sam and Ate Weng are with Christ in Heaven and one day, we will see them again.

"Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him."- 1Thess 4:13-14.

Sam & his nephew Jayden

Sam and Ate Weng, I don't know if God gives you the opportunity to hear us right now, but we love you. I love you and miss you both so much. You can never be replaced. You made a difference in so many people's lives and in my life. But I know you are with our Heavenly Father. Words cannot expressed how much you are loved and will be missed. This is not goodbye....this is only 'see you later'.

-Melissa M.