This picture is a typical expression of gratitude from saints who received help after typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, 2013. These are members of the church of Christ at Minaposok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental where Jordan Cabras preaches.

The smaller group of people is the Sagay City Church of Christ in the Negros Occidental Province on Negros Island.  Brother Jack Jaco was the messenger who carried the funds to these brethren and he commented (1-7-2014):  “There were 53 recipients who were able to come in spite of rain since this morning. The Brothers and Sisters were very happy and after the distribution they approached me with tears of joy to extend their gratefulness to you and to all the American Brethren who sacrificially contributed to help us here.”

The larger group is the Dalia church of Christ at Dalia, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.  Brother Jaco commented (1-8-2014):  “There were 85 Brethren recipients and there are few who were not able to arrive due to heavy rain and dangerous for them to cross the flooded river.”

These brethren followed the typical procedure of gathering the saints so that when the messenger arrived and delivered the funds to the congregation, distribution then was immediately made and the recipients signed their names.  This documents both the delivery of the funds by the messenger, and the distribution of the funds in the congregation, to avoid later charges that the messenger or some local member abused the funds for personal advantage.

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Brother Ronilo “Roy” Matta lives in Cebu City, Cebu, and is a former Baptist preacher.  Several years ago he learned the original gospel of Christ from Pablo Espinoza, and obeyed it.  In addition to preaching for the church in Labogon, Mandaue, Cebu City, he planted a new congregation:  the San Miguel church of Christ in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.  This church outgrew the house where they were meeting and is in the process of constructing a meeting place.  The pictures were taken during the summer of 2012.  Thanks to individual Christians willing to help those who help themselves, funds were sent from Help A Neighbor to aid in this project.

These are pictures of a new church building in an area where brother Nestor Francisco and other saints have planted a new congregation which is growing.  It is being constructed in Barangay Alegria, Alabel near General Santos City in Sarangani Province in southern Mindanao.  The work is temporarily halted for lack of funds.

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Dear Brother Ron,

Greetings in Jesus name;Thanks for your great effort of finding funds to help us here we count this as great privileged of being part of Christ Body. As you will see the pictures that was the development of our new building for worship but the carpenter’s labor was not yet paid; my collateral to them to pay, was your letter to me, that you are finding funds for it and then send it to us.

We hope and pray that you are always in a good health upon doing God’s work there, Brother please pray also my mother who is now 78 years old suffer heart failure and diabetes. We are always praying for you we love you.

Your Brother in Christ,

Nestor

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These are the 1st pictures of the newly planted church.

The first two pictures show brother Nestor Francisco with U.S. brethren Kurt Jones and Jerry Parks in General Santos City, southern Mindanao, where Nestor lives. The next scene is the church which meets in an extension of Nestor’s home. When they outgrew this place, a group was encouraged to start a new congregation in their area and subsequent pictures show the beginning efforts to build a new church building.

This makes a good sequence of pictures, & the other message I forwarded shows the progress.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

Dear Brother Ron,

Nestor
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