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

Ate (Sister) Weng: "This is not goodbye, I will see you again"

Do forgive my late updates. It's been a difficult time for all of us. For our non Tagalog speakers, you might see the word "Ate" a lot (pronounced: ah-teh). That means older sister in Tagalog. Many of our missionaries from NY are truly devastated at the sudden deaths of Sam and Ate Weng. I would like to share the thoughts of our missionary Joanne L.


Ate Weng, words wouldn't be able to truly describe how much you will be missed. In a matter of one minute into our conversation. I already knew you were such a loving and giving person. The stories we've shared with each other made my Philippines trip even more memorable. I was blessed to have you become a sister of mine. Before I went back to the US, you burned me a CD with many Christian songs that uplifted me and I am so thankful that God sent you into my life to bring me joy.You've taught me to keep my faith strong and put it in God's hands. I'm going to miss seeing you Ate Weng but your face will always be inplanted in my heart. I will never forget what you have taught me and shared with me. This is not a goodbye because I will see you again.
-Joanne L.

Update/Email

If you would like to reach us, please feel free to email us at emcphilnyblog@gmail.com

Thank you,
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)

Sa Pasimula-In the beginning

Hello Dear Readers,

Anyone like history? Yes? Good. No? Humor me. Read on....

Once upon a time, I was a burnt out college graduate completely unready for medical school. As God had it, I went to the Philippines with my childhood bestfriend to relax, connect with hld friends and spend time with family. And as corny and cliche as it sounds, little did I know that my life would be changed.

I was invited to different churches, work with different people and even to teach a little. An opportunity came for me to work with children in a town called Bayambang and honestly, my life went in a new direction from there. The children literally stole my heart while I wasn't looking. In one day I must have met and played with over 30 children and yet I was unable to communicate with them because I knew very little Tagalog (Philippines language). I was astonished to see how they loved regardless of language barriers. My heart melted as they smiled and affectionately called me Ate (older sister).

But looking at the children and looking at the surrounding town, one could tell all was not well. Most of the children were underweight. Picking up an 8 year old Filipino child felt like I was picking up a 5 year old American child. The mouths and tongues of many of the children were crusted with white, a telltale sign of thrush. And then slowly the stories came out. Some children suffered physical abuse at the hands of alcoholic fathers. Others suffered sexual abuse at the hands of family members. Children scrounge for the tops of soda cans to sell for less than a penny. Other children's parents left them to work in other provinces; some of the parents came back for them and some of them didn't. But when I was with the children, never once did they cry in front of me. They only wanted to laugh and play. I marveled, 'How could they smile under such circumstances?' And honestly, I still don't know the answer.

I left the Philippines. But I left my heart there. I was determined that I wouldn't forget what I had witnessed. I didn't want to go back to how things were before. And truthfully, anyone who saw what we saw could never go look at the life the same way. I came back to the States wondering how could I help make the children's lives better and God answered me.

That fall I walked into Ebenezer Mission Church. A few months later, under the guidance of my Dad, I brought up the idea of adopting a church in the Philippines. I knew my family and I could not undertake such a burden alone. Who better to help than a church dedicated to missions? A few months later after many twists and turns and lots of prayers, Ebenezer Mission Church decided on adopting a church in Dagupan City-my family's hometown. And two years after I walked through EMC International's doors, short term missionaries flew to the Philippines and we began working with our first EMC Philippine church: EMC Dagupan.

Today our ministry in the Philippines has grown to five churches; EMC Dagupan, EMC Calasiao, EMC Tumbor, EMC Namolan and EMC Mangaldan with mission points in the towns of Anulid and Umbatel. We not only have children's ministry, but we have youth and adult ministries. This ministry grew far beyond my wildest imaginations. I am grateful and honored that God allowed someone like me to have a small part in this ministry. And I am honored to work with people like Pastor Jae and the members of EMC International who have nothing but love for the Filipino people.

Ebenezer means "Thus far the Lord has helped us". Our church, Ebenezer Mission Church firmly believes and understands that it is only by God's providence that we are where we are now and it is only through Him that we will move forward to better and greater things.

"Thus far the Lord has helped us" (1Sam 7:12)



In the coming days I hope to give you a glimpse into our EMC Philippines ministry and perhaps you might be moved to help out in anyway you can.

All the glory to God for "thus far, the Lord has helped us"

-Melissa M
EMC International: Philippines coordinator.

Why Missions?

What it is missions? What does it mean to be a missionary? Why should we be involved in missions? Better yet....why bother at all?

The answer is simple, because Christ called us to. To be a missionary is to have the understanding and the knowledge that God has called you to a place to serve Him, preach His gospel and last but not least, love the people. Christ didn't ask us to stay comfortable in our little microcosms. Christ said it himself, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:16-20) Christ asked us to to go forth in His name, and through Him the the lost will be found, the prisoner will be set free and the unsaved will be saved. 


To be a missionary is to be called by God and to obediently respond to His call. A missionary sacrifices, loves, teaches and shares the gospel and he/she is confident that the very same God who called him/her to whatever country, whatever place is will be with him/her to the end of time. 


When it comes to missions, John Piper said it best, "There are three times of Christians: The Senders, The Goers and The Disobedient." Are you willing to answer God's call?

"The harvest is plenty but the workers are few"
(Matt 9:37)


Stay tuned....I'll be writing more about who we are and what we do!


-Melissa 
EMC International: Philippines coordinator