Urgent request: Prayer for Kai Kai & family

Hello dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm coming to you today asking for your prayers for Kai Kai, who is the granddaughter of Pastor Ferdinand Balmores. Ate (Sister) Sunshine, who is Kai Kai's mother and Pastor Ferdinand's daughter brought Kai Kai to Dagupan City from the island of Mindoro after having a six day fever that would not respond to regular antibiotics.

Last week, a chest x-ray showed that little Kai Kai who is 4 years old, has pneumonia and a skin test this past Sunday revealed that she has contracted tuberculosis. While not very common in the US, tuberculosis is still  widespread in nations like the Philippines. The good news is however, that Kai Kai is doing much better last I checked and getting up from the hospital bed.

However, we are not out of the woods yet. Kai Kai will not be released from the hospital just yet as the doctor is advising the family that she should stay for at least another 4-10 days. Also, there is a risk that the entire Balmores family and those who have visited and taken care of Kai Kai in the hospital have been exposed to tuberculosis and are at risk for developing the disease itself.

Let's all come together and pray for the Balmores family as they face another trial. As a medical student, I appreciate the work of doctors and nurses and the new and efficient treatments that have been developed, but I also know that there's a point where science can do no more and only God who is the ultimate Healer and Doctor can step in. Let us pray for a speedy recovery for Kai Kai. Let us also pray that the tuberculosis she has will not spread to Pastor Ferdinand, his family and the entire EMC family as some of the leaders have taken turns staying in the hospital with her before the diagnosis. Let us pray for the doctors and nurses who are taking care of Kai Kai that our Heavenly Father gives them the wisdom they need to treat kai Kai.

Thank you.

-Melissa M.
EMC International: Philippines coordinator

To Sam Balmores: My Lost Letter

I'd like to share the thoughts of one of our youngest missionaries-Kenny. I pray you will be touched.


Sam if it were possible for you to read this at this moment, I'd like to thank you, apologize, and let out some of the thoughts I've had after having been with you during my Philippines mission trip back in 2010. I'm incredibly sorry for not saying this when I should of, at the memorial service. But I knew I wasn't ready, I would've either said nothing or too much with tears and saliva dripping from my mouth. So I am here with a blog post to organize my thoughts instead, and I hope you can forgive me for that. 


To be honest, when I first met you I didn't find myself dying to be your friend and starting a relationship that I actually have with your brother, Shem. I found you to be quite the character, loud and obnoxious; kind of like me but despite our common personality, I just found you to be out of my reach. When we talked, it was a bit awkward but I still cherished your presence as I hoped you cherished mine. We were able to do some stupid things here and there, but I noticed the lack in actual building between our friendship. I truly regret this, I regret not being able to start a relationship that I have now with Shem, I regret not taking the initiative to start something great with you. We left shallow imprints on each others hearts before we parted ways, but yours ended up deepening over time.

Sam, I valued your principles, but most of all I valued what you were most best at: loving. No one knows, but I've always looked up to the brotherly relationship you shared with your ading Shem. I can remember the time when we were traveling in a crowded, sweaty van but you and your brother humbly took the trunk; the whole ride consisted of your jokes and laughing along with Shem. You guys prevented me from sleeping despite my fatigue, but I didn't mind. You see, I have two brothers but my relationship with them is no where near the one you hold with yours. Unfortunately, my brothers and I are sometimes quite distant with one another and we can't openly joke and share with each other as you two do. Honestly, I was jealous. I had always wanted a brother like you, one that cared so deeply for their ading and expressed his love for his younger brother so easily. Mine are much different, and I grew up with a semi-cold heart against them because they wouldn't play with me or say they loved me. You manifested God's love in each and every one of your actions, and that empowered me to be the same. You never knew this and I don't know how much of a difference it would have made for me to have told you, but I do wish I could've returned to the loving Sam I met last year. 

Because of you, I have hope to renew relations with my own siblings. When I think of you, I think of brotherhood and I only wish that I had started one with you. We barely knew each other, yet look at the change you created in me. I am forever grateful to you and your mission and I know God is definitely pleased with what you have done and left for your fellow brothers and sisters to carry on. I can only imagine the pains that your close, loved ones feel; maybe I'll never understand. While we're all in a time of mourning, I'm still happy that you're with God with ate Weng now. I hope we, the people left to complete your legacy, can make you proud just as you made God proud. I cannot wait to be with you in heaven one day, where I will make sure I can create an everlasting bond of friendship and brotherhood. 

Yours truly,

Kenny Jin

Remembering Sam: A True Friend & Brother

"You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you 
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you"-MercyMe

Sam, me, Shem: Together in Baguio

Whenever I write these posts, I write as a coordinator. I look to spread awareness and to challenge people to step outside their comfort zone and be a part of God's work. But right now, I'm not writing as a coordinator or a leader or a student....I'm just a sister who misses her brother terribly.

I've been going to and from the Philippines since I was 12 years old. My first real friends in the Philippines were Sam, Ate (sister) Weng, Shem, Chad, Ate Shine and the University Baptist Church youth. And no matter how long I am gone from the Philippines, every time I come back, it always feels like I never felt and we all just pick up from where we left off.

Teaching the children music

The earliest memories I have of Sam are of him playing the drums at UBC. To me, he was the best drummer-hands down! He was so talented. I always marveled at how well he played every instrument. He was always kind, always nice, always smiling and he was always laughing. He and Ate (sister) Weng always treated me like a little sister and I loved them both for doing so. As time went on with trials and triumphs, Sam went from being a funny teenager to a man of God ever willing and ever ready to serve Christ. At our last mission, I looked with pride to see him lead our congregation in worship. I couldn't believe that this was the same Sam I had known all these years.

The very last picture I took with the three of us

But what I remember most about Sam weren't his exceptional talents in music and leadership. I remember all the little things-the most important things. I remember his kindness. His unmistakeable laugh that still rings in my ears today. I remember the way he would always say, "Don't cry! You'll come back here again!" whenever I cried upon leaving the Philippines. The way loved his niece and nephew and carried them around like they were his own children. I remember the way he made others laugh. I remember the times he would have the guitar and we would all sing together. And if we made a mistake with the lyrics we would say, "Pirated yan!" (It's pirated!=Pirated version) Every time I came home to the Philippines, he was there. Every time I went out with my cousins and friends just to have fun, he was there. In my happiest moments and in the moments where I cried like a baby, Sam was there.  I couldn't imagine not having Sam around and although I trust God and accept this, it's still brings tears to my eyes to know that he won't be there to greet me when I step down from the plane the next time I return.

Brother & Sister forever

Sam, if I had to write about all the memories that we shared and the wonderful times we had together, I would never finish this blog. I watched with pride as you came out of difficult circumstances and mature into the man of God you were meant to be. My life has been changed, because you were a part of it. I cannot thank you enough for everything. But I think what I am most grateful for, is that you taught me the one Taglog word I cherish the most-Ading (younger sibling). You loved me and treated me as your own ading. You called me ading. Because I know what it is to be loved and be called ading, I can give that same kind of love and call others my ading too. You are the best brother anyone could ask for. I miss your laugh and the way you made me laugh. As I try to smile through the sobs and chuckle through the tears at all the wonderful memories, I can't properly express the joy of having known you and the sorrow of being separated from you. I'm not sad because you are in fellowship with Christ, but my heart aches because of how long I have to wait until we meet again. I'll never forget you. I love you so much brother and I miss you.

I'll see you later.

Your ading,
-Melissa M.


"In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now"-MercyMe

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.

Spotlight: EMC Dagupan

EMC Dagupan is our home base in the Philippines. Located in the barangay Lasip Chico-Patalan, Dagupan City, EMC Dagupan is led by Pastor Ferdinand Balmores and his wife Hannah Balmores. But enough geographical information, let's get down to the nitty gritty.

EMC Dagpuan was the church we first worked with when our short term missionaries arrived in the Philippines and it also holds a special place in our hearts.  With the cooperation and help of the youth and its leaders, we were able to reach out to universities, adults, youth, children and the surrounding towns all for the glory of God. 


But EMC Dagupan is more than just another church to us. EMC Dagupan is our family. EMC Dagupan members are our friends, our brothers, ours sisters, our aunt and uncles, our mothers and fathers. A few nights before we left, we had a goodbye party and not a single eye was dry. Some of us could barely speak as we choked out our goodbyes. Even though we are miles apart, the missionaries understand that we are one family, with one goal under the same loving God.


 



Pictured left: Our first night with EMC Dagupan Youth                                                                                                                                               

Today EMC Dagupan has about 30 adults with 25 young people. We are in the process of finishing an outdoor bathroom and the outer walls to give our worshipers a little privacy. We are also in the process of finishing work on the roof as it was destroyed in the mega typhoon last year.


But aside from the physical and mechanical aspects of church life, EMC Dagupan faces the challenges of reaching out to a neighborhood in serious need. Lasip Chico-Pantalan is a poverty stricken barangay where drinking is rampant but food is in constant shortage. Pastor Ferdinand and Tita (Auntie) Hannah have implemented the D3 program to disciple others in faith. Their desire is to be able to reach out to the entire community and to also develop leaders who will further the cause of the gospel.

This past July we were blessed to celebrate our  1 year anniversary of being together with EMC Dagupan and all of our other Philippine EMC churches. God has truly done amazing work in the Philippines and we are confident that God will continue to do amazing things not only in Dagupan City, but throughout the entire Philippines.


As EMC International we are committed to helping and supporting them in every way possible. As the Philippines mission coordinator, I pray that God would move through Dagupan city and use EMC Dagupan and EMC International as a tool to reach the broken hearts, the addicted and the unloved. I pray that as you're reading this right now. Your heart will be moved to pray for us and help us in any way you can. And although the task ahead seems daunting, we know that we "can do all things through Christ".


-Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator.


If your heart has been moved, in the coming weeks there will be a way for you to donate to this site. All proceeds go to our EMC Philippine churches. But above all, continue to pray for us. Below are more pictures. CHECK IT OUT!!! (or I'll be really sad)

Roof Undersconstruction

Bathroom underconstruction

One Year anniversary celebration!

Bathroom almost fixed! (We all love a good toilet)