A closer look: Nicole

I'd like to introduce you to one of the children of EMC Dagpuan. The beautiful child you see in the pictures is Nicole. She is 12 years old and will turn 13 this year. Nicole is one of "kids leaders" who helped out in the kid's camp at EMC Dagupan.

Nicole

Our mission team had the privilege of meeting her and her siblings during our 2010 mission to the Philippines. Nicole was actually first child I met in the Philippines. When I first met her, she was really shy but continuously smiling. As the mission trip went on, one could often see her taking care of and carrying her younger brother Matt Gabriel who's often called Kamandag. Eventually she became attached to one of our missionaries JP and he refers to her affectionately as "his daughter". And the night right before we left, she wrote some us little notes on colored paper that to this day, I still have.


With such glowing memories and a beautiful testimony of her faithfulness to Christ and the ministry, one would hope that her life outside of the ministry and the church is just as wonderful. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Sadly, Nicole has been forced to stop her schooling due to her parent's economic situation. In the Philippines, high school begins immediately after sixth grade thus at 12 years old, Nicole would've been a freshman in high school. Her sister Madison, aged 14, went through the same thing, however it her turn to go back to school. Nicole must now wait until Madison finishes high school before she can start high school as her parents are able to pay for the tuition of one child at a time. (Public high school is not free in the Philippines)

Nicole and Kamandag

Nicole is one of seven other children in her entire household. She currently spends her days helping her mother who is jobless with chores and taking care of her brother Kamandag who is also malnourished. Nicole's father works to make dentures but demand for his work is often inconsistent.  And although we are doing our best to support the Philippines, there simply just isn't enough funds to send her back to school.

Left: Kamandag, Center: Nicole Right: Sister Janel

I would like to say that this is an isolated case and that Nicole's story is a rare one. But sadly, that isn't true and in fact, it is quite the opposite. Nicole's story is one shared by many children in the Philippines. Too many children are unable to obtain a proper education. Sadly the vicious cycle of poverty, ignorance and hunger is repeated over and over. And each time innocent children lose the chance to become educated and the opportunity to better themselves.


But it doesn't have to be this way for all the children. Nicole's story doesn't have to be like others; empty, sad and unchanged. God can do great things and He can use anyone to bring hope to children like Nicole. If you are challenged to help out. Please feel free to do so and/or contact us.


Every soul is precious. Nicole is previous to Christ and therefore she is previous to us.


Thank you,
Melissa M.

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

It's CHALLENGE time!!!!!

Well folks, it's that time again! It's Challenge time!!! What exactly is Challenge you say? Well I am more than happy to oblige. Inspired by EMC International's yearly Challenge meeting, EMC Philippines has put its own creative spin on it. Challenge is a monthly/bimonthly meeting between all the Philippine EMCs and of course is open to all who wish to attend. All of our youth come together for for a night of worship, games, reflection, learning, fun and of course food!(There's always food. Seriously.) 

Sam & the praise team

Each Challenge meeting has a theme and this meeting's theme is "Awareness". We want this time to be a time of spiritual awakening for all the youth. We pray that the youth be aware that God DOES have a plan for them and we want them to not only be aware that God does have a plan but to begin to discover what exactly is God's will for each and every one of them. This meeting we hope that all who attend be strengthened in their faith and be encouraged to become active in and serve in the ministry.

Guitar: James, Drums: Sam, Bass: Sacks

This month's Challenge meeting will take place on Wed Nov 30 beginning at 4pm (local time of course) at EMC Dagupan in Lasip Chico. So if you're reading this in the Philippines come on down!!! Join the fun and be blessed! If you're abroad, let's be there in spirit and pray for this Challenge meeting. Let's pray for God's blessing to be on the youth. Let's pray that all who attend be encouraged and strengthened to have a deeper relationship with Christ and to be become aware of God's plan in their lives.

L to R: Pastor Randall, Sam, Pastor Eds

Here are some pictures of a previous meeting; Challenge: Focus.

Be encouraged brothers and sisters! God is going to do great things!

"I am always aware of the Lord's presence; He is near, and nothing can shake me."- Psalms 16:8

-Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator

Youth...Let's pray that the numbers will triple!

It's Time to Give Thanks

Every year, we as get together with our families and friends, we are reminded to be grateful for all we have been given. As I sit and reflect on what God has given to me, my family and the entire EMC family, I am overwhelmed by His goodness and faithfulness. There is much to be thankful for.

First and foremost, we give thanks to Our Father in heaven. It has been an extraordinary year. He has carried us through the triumphant highs and the agonizing lows. He brought us this far and the journey has been remarkable. I am so grateful to God that we have our own EMC family in the Philippines and by His grace we have celebrated our first anniversary with our EMC Philippines family this past year. Through Him we have come this far and through Him we will go even farther than we can ever imagine.

As we celebrate this thanksgiving, we look back and we thank God for the lives of Sam and Ate Weng. Though is has been hard these past few weeks, we thank God, that even though it was for a little while, we had these two amazing people walk the earth with us. We thank God for the memories we have with them and the love we were able to share with them. And more importantly, we thank God that there is life beyond this life and that we have the comfort of knowing that we will see them again.

On behalf of the EMC family both in New York and in the Philippines, I personally thank everyone who opened their hearts this past few weeks and supported us during such difficult times. The support we received from all over the world was overwhelming. To everyone who donated, supported, prayed for us and shared in our grief; Thank you very much. Words cannot express mine or the entire EMC family's gratitude.

But above all, we thank God for all this. It is through Him that people's hearts were moved to support us. It is through Him that we celebrated our first year together. It is through Him that dreams will be fulfilled and triumph will be attained. It is because of our Lord Jesus Christ, and only through Him that we have life, love, grace and mercy. 

We have much to be thankful for, so let us give thanks.

"In everything give thanks..."

-1 Thes 5:18

-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

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.