I would like to thank all of the congregations and individuals that generously donated to the Storm, Building and Crop damage our brothers and sisters suffered over the last two months. Praise be to God!!!
Two different typhoons hit 5 islands in the Philippines… Mabate, Palawan, Panay, Negros, and Cebu. Approximately $20,000 has been distributed to the members so far. We expect additional requests may come in when building materials become more available in the coming months. Several church buildings were heavily damaged and many members roofs and structures were torn away in the high winds (100mph +). Notable crop/garden/coconut & banana grove damage occurred with the high winds and heavy rains. To my knowledge there was no loss of life among the members, however, medical requests did increase.
During the last 6 months, the COVID restrictions have continued. Just in the last 2 weeks some areas of the islands have relaxed the restrictions and most of the congregations are meeting in their buildings. During the last 6 months, home church assemblies and home study groups have served the members well and baptisms are continuing. In areas where the restrictions are enforced, the evangelists have to obtain a pass to travel which enables them to go to the members’ homes. From the reports we receive from the evangelists, there has been 35 to 40 members added to the Lord’s Kingdom in the last 6 months.
Restrictions on incoming foreign travel have started to be relaxed in the month of February. But since it takes 2 to 3 months to plan and prepare sermons/literature and get much of the presentation translated into multiply languages, we have decided to postpone our trip until 2023. January and February are the best months to go as the temperatures and storms are less.
In the past Ed and I have denied the financial requests for the members diagnosed with cancer and seeking treatment. The surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments are expensive and have had limited positive outcomes in the Philippines. Mario Moral is one of the most productive evangelists. His wife, Lorie, has lung cancer. She has decided to follow a functional medical protocol for treatment. Several of us individually have helped her start these treatments, but they will need to continue for 12 months. Ed and I feel these should be outside our evangelism funding. Currently, I have commitments for personally donations totaling $400 per month of the needed $700 per month for the next 12 months. If anyone would like to join us in this effort on a monthly basis for the next 12 months, please let me know as she needs to start the treatments soon. My email is cogduane48@yahoo.com. The donations should be made out to the church of Christ and mailed to me at: Duane Cogburn, 86C Martin Lane, Moriarty, NM 87035.
Below is a breakdown of the areas where funds were sent these last six months. Currently we are working with more than 45 congregations on seven islands.
In August 2021, the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $2,371; Evangelists expense $608; Medical expenses $423; Food & Planting Seed $1,680; Funerals $1,102.
In September 2021, the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $3,395; Evangelists expense $139; Medical Expense $569; Food & Planting Seed $1,512.
In October 2021 the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $2,561; Evangelist expense $2,000; Building repair/rent, benches, Bibles $973; Medical expenses $808; Food $2,908; Funerals $304; Storm damage & charity $500.
In November 2021, the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $1,499; Evangelist expense $200; Building repair/rent, benches, Bibles $2,602; Medical expenses $758; Food & Planting Seed $1,766.
In December 2021, the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $3,211; Evangelism expenses $3,183; Building repair/rent, benches, Bibles $1,168; Medical expenses $1,096; Food & Planting Seed $6,213; Storm damage, charity $6,350.
In January 2022, the following distribution of funds was made: Evangelists’ support $1,999; Evangelism expenses $1,904; Building repair/rent, benches, Bibles $2,114; Medical expenses $2,688; Food & Planting Seed $204; Storm damage & charity $3,679.
Ed and I ask for your prayers for wisdom to weigh each request we receive & use God’s funds wisely.
Respectfully submitted,
Duane Cogburn and Ed Anderson
I have attached a list of other requests that we haven’t been able to help since we consider the food needs and medical requests priorities. If you would like to have your donation used for a particular request, please let us know
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Below are excerpts from some of the many emails we receive from our brothers in the Philippines. Some have been edited for brevity and so that their English can be better understood. E
From: Brennie Agbisit
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2021 9:38 AM
To: Ed Anderson <edandva@hotmail.com>
Subject: My beloved Tatay ……..(a Note from Duane. Brennie’s father, tatay, was Fred Agbisit who worked with Bill Yarbrough, Harry Cobb, Ed, and I over the last thirty years in the Philippines).
Dear Bro. Ed and Bro.Duane,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Thank you for the additional assistance for Bro. Ely boy. I’ll give it to him once we see each other.
My beloved Tatay passed away about past 12noon. He collapse and right there..he maybe lost his last breath… in our arms…we tried our best to revive him but no response from him anymore…the medic came and brought him right away to the hospital but he was declare DOA….however they gave him the shot trying to revive him and CPR also…before they attend to him they took swabtest..and to us antigen as protocol for checking covid.
We were so schoked..because in his last hours he seemed very healthy, he was very happy, smiling and happy laughing.
That Saturday morning…he woke me up..and I was amazed that he called my name and Erika loud and clear..He said Brenilda, go wake up Erika I need my senior citizen card because they are giving us our senior allowance…I hold him until 6am because it was just past 4ammt’s still too early on half past 4am…so he agreed and we got the chance to talk about life, our faith and his worries for those back sliders those kukewarm in their faith those still at lost because he believes that Jesus Christ will come back soon..as many signs that can be read in
The bible that’s happenings. He said…I’m praying most of the time, that the church will continue stable, in every congregation will remain faithful until their last breath.
Now that he is gone…it is Jerdan will take full responsibity in the church in this area.
My brethren…I’m requesting you, please, give the support of Tatay, to my brother Jerdan…so he can support the work here in tbe city and will have enough for their daily needs, siblings and Marita.
The brethren continue the short distance bible studies…and they had baptisms . However I don’t know the digit how many were baptize. Will report to u soon.
I will clkse from here…the brethren still here at the wake of my father, after our evening service.
Keep safe and God bless
With Christ’s love
Brennie
____________________________________________________
Daniel Elamparo
To: Ed Anderson
Cc: Duane Cogburn
Thu, Sep 2, 2021 at 9:47 PM
Dear brothers Ed and Duane,
Hello there brothers? I hope and pray that both of you are doing good as well as the brethren there.
We are doing good too, this pandemic cannot hinder our work as an evangelists. I regularly go to Longos, Golden Feather Payangan and here in Cabalan.
I wrote because I do not have water for CSW (Colloidal Silver Water) anymore.
It is of great help for the brethren during this time of pandemic. drinking CSW and applying it to wounds, insect bites and other minor irritations is very helpful.
Our silver water machine was borrowed by brother Godie to produce csw for Subic brethren. I told him to make more for the churches there, I plan to send him more distilled water if we have fund to buy more water.
Sour throat and cough which is 2 of the many symptoms of COVID 19 can be eliminated by drinking csw until it is gone.
Please send some extra fund for my transportation.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
Daniel Elamparo Jr.
(Church of Christ evangelist)
____________________________________________________
jominan paulo
To: Ed Anderson, Duane Cogburn
Sat, Sep 25, 2021 at 10:18 PM
Dear Bro. Ed & Duane
We continue to ask for your gratitude for your kindness for the help you extend to us, A servants of God here in Lubao and Isabela.
Despite the increasing number of covid cases here in our town that sometimes give too much concern to the brothers and sisters here, They are especially strengthening their faith in God and continue the work service to him.
There have pictures sent by the brothers in Isabela and I want to share them with you. Again, thank you very much brothers and sisters. God bless you all.
Jominan
(note from Duane….. This congregation is one of several on the extreme northern part of the Philippines on the island of Luzon. Ed and I have slowly helped them over the last 9 years finish their building. You are seeing the finished result with window, ceiling, paint, chairs, etc).
________________________________________________________
From: Daniel Elamparo
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2021 6:47 AM
To: edandva@hotmail.com <edandva@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Jeepney photos
Brothers,the jeepney’s condition is good, it has a diesel engine, 4DR5 and made by mitsubishi,it has also 20 seating capacity.
It is cheap and is low in fuel consumption that is why I want to grab the opportunity to have it,its price is only like a motorcycle with sidecar which can only carry 5 persons. it is also seldom use. the owner of the jeepney cannot use it any more due to his high blood pressure,that is why he is selling his jeep in low price to buy medicines for himself and I told him that it will be use by Longos congregation.
This jeep is very affordable brother.
we will just recondition,put fresh battery and register it this year and it is ready to go for the transportation of the saints at Longos.
Daniel Elamparo Jr.
(Church of Christ evangelist)
___________________________________________________
Daniel Elamparo < >
To: Ed Anderson, Duane Cogburn
Sat, Nov 6, 2021 at 7:11 AM
Dear brothers Ed & bro. Duane,
I want to share pictures as my report.
Yesterday, Bro. Godie,Rexson,Marshal,Garci and I accompanied me in Longos mission work. we had 5 home bible studies in one day. please pray with us so that many more souls obey the grand gospel message of salvation in this part of Zambales. thank you.
______________________________________________
To: Ed Anderson Duane Cogburn
,Mon, Dec 20, 2021 at 11:27 PM
Sad to say that our sister and brother in Christ who is the cousins if my wife lost their house and even their crops because of the Typhoon Oddete. They live in Baranggay Tapi, Kabangkalan Negros Occidental their name is, Jyren Genandoy, Milven Genandoy, Melissa Pat and their Parents named, Bebe and Leticia Genandoy. We are asking for your help for their food assistance, there is also a flood in their place, sis. Premie Amihay knew it, but they are far from them. Thank you in advance for your help.
May the loving God bless you and keep you.
Love and prayers,
Godofredo Lucero Policarpio
Damage on the Island of Negros
