Mass Burial Grave Along the Highway in Tanuan, Leyte

January 2014

Two months after the storm, I have seen the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. It's one thing to see the devastation on video and pictures and another thing to walk through it and meet people who are suffering. In the Province of Leyte, they still uncover 3 dead bodies a day. It is heart wrenching as I see the condition of the people in Leyte and Samar.

Mass Burial Grave Along the Highway in Tanuan, Leyte

I come from Samar and speak the local dialect there. These people are dear to my heart.

Our church in California raised funds for the victims and for the ministry opportunities. Most of the funds will go to rebuilding homes, medicines, food and for buying basic needs. There are new ministries that have opened because of the typhoon and the people are more open now to the Gospel.

Strategic Meeting with EFCP Pres. Allocod, P. Sam,

Allianz Mission(Germany) and Reach Global(USA)

Through our church in Borongan, E. Samar and in partnership with Crisis Response of EFCA and the Allianz mission of EFC Germany, we are staring 4 church planting projects in the towns of Hernani, Balankayan, Maydulong and Giporlos. These towns are badly hit by the typhoons and there were a lot of people who died in these towns. The town of Hernani has 80% of the houses damage and 86% of the coconut tries are cut down and the fishing industry is totally wiped out. The town of Hernani will be the focused of a new church plant. P. Sam, the lead pastor of our church in Borongan, E. Samar lives in Hernani and he will lead the new church plant. His house is not damaged by the typhoon and the people in town are talking about the protection that God gave during the typhoon. Through our efforts in Hernani, we were able to buy a generator that has been a source of street lights and for houses as well. We were also able to buy chain saw to help people rebuild their homes. I do not know how the people will survive in the coming months. This is the challenge that facing our church in E. Samar.

High School Tent in Hernani, E. Samar

Through the Crisis Response of EFCA, we have an additional 6 workers who will be helping in responding to the needs of the victims and in planting the churches in those towns. This is best time to plant churches in these towns which, for over a century, rejected the Gospel. Now our leadership in Eastern Samar, Philippines feels that a door of opportunity has been opened in the hearts of people to the gospel. There's a need now to train the new staff for church multiplication as a means to preach the Gospel. The President of EFC Philippines and I visited a new church plant in Tanauan City. This new church plant project is the result of the Typhoon Haiyan. The city of Tanauan has the casualties of more than 1,000 people and the devastation is beyond description. But out of the ruble of the typhoon is a new church being given birth. P. Signh and Bro. Silver, both survivors of the typhoon, are starting the new church plant. Bro. Silver saved 2 kids from the water surge and shared the gospel with them as their lives were in danger.

Teaching Church Multiplication

in Mandaue, Cebu

I led a consultation seminar on church multiplication in Cebu City as a preparation for the launch team as they will start a new church plant. It was a wonderful time of encouraging the core members of the church plant.

This new church plant will be under the supervision of our church in California.

With the Young Adults at WHF-Laguna

I preached at WHF-Laguna in San Pedro, Laguna. It is amazing how God changed this church. A year ago we were not sure if this church will survive. But now with God's grace it has a vibrant ministry and the church is growing beyond everybody's expectation. The Church member are going out to preach the Gospel and disciple people. They have a plan to establish 2 new church plants this year. Praise to God.

P. Allocod (EFCP Pres.) explains how to use

water purifier

We are continuing the drive to raise more funds for the people of Samar and the new churches. God has opened the door of opportunity and we must grab this season of harvest.

Thank you so much for all the partnership, prayers and financial help. May God bless you.

In Him and For Him,

Jun Sabate

Rainbow After Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban City.

A reminder of God’s Covenant Promise of Redemption