Incredible Tragedy: Another Strong Earthquake in Mindanao Dec. 15, 2019
Dear brethren,
Brethren and news agencies are reporting another severe earthquake hit the same area of Mindanao again Sunday.
“A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck parts of Mindanao at 2:11 p.m. Sunday, the strongest of the series of powerful quakes in the last two months.”
“It was the fifth quake above Magnitude 6 that jolted Mindanao between October 16 and December 15: Magnitude 6.3 on October 16; 6.6 and 6.1 on October 29; 6.5 on October 31 and 6.9 on December 15” (mindanews.com/top-stories/
Bridges, schools, shopping centers, hospitals, roads, homes, and other infrastructure have been damaged or totally destroyed by this incredible series of events. “The series of quakes last October left over 20 people dead and displacing over 100,000 others. The quakes have destroyed close to 39,000 houses and triggered over 2,000 aftershocks for several weeks” (The Philippine Star News, Dec. 16, pp. 1, 10).
I have heard from brethren who are sleeping out of doors because of damage to their houses rendering them unsafe. For instance, here is Franklin Isla’s report:
“The grace of our Lord be upon us. I want to inform you that this afternoon around 2:11 pm there was a very strong earthquake again here in our place. It was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake. This was the strongest earthquake compare than before and many Houses was totally damaged. Our house has many damaged and the 4 corners of our house fell down. I think 50 percent of our house was damaged. We put tent outside of our house because we could not attempt to go inside because of many cracks and falling debris. I will give you update report tomorrow and send photos of our damage house. Sorry, my mind is empty and very worried of this situation. Please help us in prayers and our safety. God bless us all.”
Dondon Cadayona reports that brethren are afraid to enter the church building at Brgy. Rizal, Malalag, Davao Del Sur because of damage to the foundation: “Surely if ever there will be another earthquake to come it will collapse. Our problem is, we have a gospel meeting this coming Dec. 20 this Friday to come and we have no place to meet. Hopefully God will provide.”
Other similar reports are on hand. Let those of us not suffering this great tragedy not forget to pray for our brethren who are suffering such great trials. May God help us to do our very best to provide benevolence to them, remembering the words of our Lord in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Philippine brethren have responded as best they can by sending help to their brethren, as have saints in the U.S. and even other countries. I have been sending benevolence funds periodically as donations have been sent to me for that purpose. Michael and Donna Glaesemann (michael@butw.org) have also been relaying donations. Individuals sending through them can make donations to Bread Upon the Waters which qualify for a legal tax deduction (mailing address 264 CR 2125, Burkeville, Texas 75932).
I am willing to provide detailed information about how to send funds. Also I am willing to serve as a messenger to send funds on behalf of individuals or churches which may request my help. Checks from individuals should be written to Ron Halbrook and sent to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954 (or Paypal to halbrook@twc.com). Individuals wanting a legal tax deduction should make checks to Help A Neighbor and send them to the same address with a note stating the donation is for the victims of the earthquake. Churches should make checks to Ron Halbrook and use the same address.
Balance compassion with wisdom if appeals are sent by unknown persons. Investigate and find out if the correspondent is a true Christian and is reliable. Faithful Filipino brethren are working diligently to take funds, food, medicines, clothes, tarpaulins, mats, clean water, and other supplies into the affected areas, some of which are quite remote.
Since I will be in the Philippines through December 20, donations sent to me will be delayed until after my return, but, periodic sending over a period of several months will be needed. Above all, let us continually pray for our brethren who are suffering in conditions we can hardly imagine.
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
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