Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On October 16 a major earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale hit the vicinity of Koronadal City in the Philippine province of South Cotabato in the southern part of the island of Mindanao.  Its effects were felt far and wide, bringing great devastation and suffering especially to rural and mountain areas heavily populated by the poor including our brethren in Christ.  Several smaller quakes occurred and several hundred aftershocks have occurred.

Numerous reports and appeals for help  are coming in from our brethren.  Pictures show areas which literally dropped down, open gap lines in the earth, destroyed homes and church buildings, and other marks of destruction.  Landslides were triggered.  A sister in Christ and her infant were killed when a landslide demolished their small dwelling.  Forced evacuations have resulted in tent cities and people living in gyms which have no side walls. The population of one of these tent cities is about 70% our brethren.  It is not safe for people to return to their farms and dwelling places.  In many cases, if the house did not totally collapse, it is unsafe for the inhabitants to go inside and so they sleep outside the house.

The government sent shipments of rice, but much of it was not edible.  Local governments have assigned citizens small lots to rebuild their homes and start a new life, but there is no money with which to rebuild.  Christians are suffering dire need of food, clothing, and shelter.

Here is a report from brother Frank Isla who has been visiting some of our brethren to assess their needs and to comfort them:

“One of the preachers Brother Chito Pari, Barangay Captain [a local official] in Maibo, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur told to us that our government or disaster agency informed them to sleep outside their house every evening. Because of the aftershocks still continue and some roads were closed due to landslides. Some vehicles are stranded in the mountain especially in Maklangbol, Tulunan, North Cotabato and Makabulos, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur and some parts of affected areas. Some congregations we could not visit because of the landslide as of now. They asking help for this sudden hardship because their houses were damaged and some church buildings damaged also.  I visited in my preaching more less 30 congregations in 3 provinces here. The Province of Davao del Sur had so many congregations have church buildings damaged. In the Province of Cotabato there are so many congregations and in the Province of Sultan Kudarat many congregations have the same damage in their place. These 3 provinces were affected of earthquake and more or less 250 congregations. As of now, they wish the help of the brethren in times of sudden calamities” [slightly edited for grammar and clarify].

Frank, Julie Notarte, and other brethren trying to reach out to the victims cannot even reach some areas because of landslides and other dangers.  Having witnessed  devastation on a scale he had never seen, Frank recorded his reaction while writing a report: “While I’m doing this report 3 times shaken again and were trembling with fear.”

This morning, October 29, I received additional reports of a second major earthquake registering 6.6 which is centered in the same general area as the first one.  It struck Tuesday at 9:04 A.M. and some brethren said it felt more severe than the first one and some said it is the most severe earthquake they have ever experienced.

Frank reported, “A very strong earthquake happened here today in our place. There were so many houses and church buildings pulled down. I don’t know how many people died in this tragedy because in our place there are 5 people died as of now. I don’t know in some places how many died. There are so many brethren called me that their houses and their church buildings pulled down. There must emergency evacuation here because mostly the houses of our surrounding were damaged. Even our house had many cracks and we are all sleep outside tonight for our safety. Many also stranded vehicle in some areas because of landslide” [slightly edited].

Just before sending his report, Frank added, “While I’m making this email we had more than 30 aftershocks and very strong” [slightly edited].

So many buildings are damaged in some cities that even hospitals are being vacated until engineers can assess whether it is safe to re-enter.

Earthquakes are relatively normal in the Philippines because this nation sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where about 90% of all earthquakes occur, but quakes of this magnitude in intensity and aftershocks are very rare.

No one Christian or congregation can meet all the needs created by these earthquakes, but those who offer benevolence to provide food, clothing, and shelter for many of these suffering saints are serving Christ himself by doing so (Matt. 25:31-46).  Let each of us do what we can, all the while trusting God who has many ways to comfort, strengthen, and sustain those who suffer and put their faith in Him.

Psalm 61:1-4 is the prayer of the saints who are victims of these tragedies:

1 my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

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.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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