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EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF THE PHILIPPINES

TYPHOON YOLANDA UPDATE

APRIL 21, 2014

by Rev. Prisco Allocod, EFCP President

We praise the Lord for His gracious provision and the various opportunities to serve the people

and the community of the Yolanda tragedy. What a great opportunity to show forth God's

presence and love.

SIX CONCENTRATED AREAS:

As mentioned at our last update, six towns or municipalities are being concentrated for rehab and

community development up to July, 2015. The towns are as follows:

Eastern Samar province: Cebu Province: Leyte Province:

1. Hernani 4. Santa Fe, Bantayan Island 6. Tanauan

2. Balangkayan 5. Tudela, Camotes Island

3. Giporlos

HOUSING PROJECTS: The housing projects will continue up to end of May, 2014. After which, we will focus more on

the livelihood program.

So far, more than 600 houses were assisted for rebuilding and repairs. Fifty-six (56) of these

were completely built, and another 16 were completely repaired from heavy damage. The rest

(about 528 houses) were given building assistance of various kinds that included coconut

lumbers, nails, plywood, galvanized iron, among others.

Completely-built houses

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Assited for repairs

FISHING BOATS The picture below on the right is a motorized fishing boat. Five of these are now available to ten

fishermen (two for one boat). Each boat costs about P70,000.00 (US$1,600.00) including the

engine. Each fisherman will contribute 10% of the catch towards the capital. Once each one can

contribute a total of P15,000.00 (about US$341.00) or P30,000.00 for the two of them, then the

unit becomes their own property. The money collected will then be used to purchase other units

for the other fishermen. The picture below on the left is another kind of boat without an engine,

which only costs about P7,000.00 ($160.00). Two fishermen will also use one boat. The unit

becomes their property once each one of them can contribute P2,000.00 ($46.00) or P4,000.00

for the two of them; and the money collected will then be used also to purchase other units.

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FISH CORAL CAGE A fish coral cage will cost about P40,000.00 ($910.00) each, and can be used by two fishermen.

Once each of them can contribute P10,000.00 ($228.00) or P20,000.00 for the two of them, then

the unit becomes their property; and the amount collected will be used to build another unit.

RAISING CARABAO (WATER BUFFALO)

A carabao is used for plowing, hauling, and other farm-related activities. The plan is to buy

female carabaos for breeding to be cared for by the farmers. Once the mother gives birth, the

baby carabao will be given to the caretaker, and the mother will be transferred to another family.

The goal is for the farmers to eventually own a carabao. Each carabao costs between P20,000.00

to P30,000.00 ($454.00 to $682.00).

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TSINELAS: BUILDING LIVES ONE STEP AT A TIME

"Tsinelas" is a native word for slippers. One of the EFC pastors was engaged in this trade before

going to pastorate. He is now training some folks in Sta Fe. Ten people are accommodated per

batch of training for 96 hours. Then, three people will use one set of equipment to make slippers

at home. Each one will be paid P25.00 per pair of finished product. A beginner can finish about

10 pairs a day or P250.00 ($5.70). An experienced one can easily finish two dozens a day. We

now have five sets of equipment, each set costs about P30,000.00 ($682.00).

Cover sheet for the project proposal Training w/ Ptr Gerry Gantuangco (green shirt)

On-the-job training with Ptr Gerry Finished product

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RICE MILL RAHABILITATION The only rice mill in Hernani was completely damaged. It was owned by a couple who are

active members of our outreach church that meets at Ptr Sam's house. A feasibility study is

undergoing to rehabilitate the business, which costs around P100,000.00 ($2,273.00).

Jonas Ismael & wife Elgyn and their damaged rice mill at the background

MOTORCYCLES Two motorcycles were purchased for the mobility of Ptr Noel in Balangkayan, Eastern Samar

(left picture) and Ptr Singh in Tanauan, Leyte (right picture).

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HERNANI: FROM HOUSE-CHURCH TO CHURCH BUILDING The outreach church in Hernani meets at Ptr Sam's residence for worship. As mentioned at the

last update, a lot nearby is for sale, which is owned by one of the members. Praise the Lord that

the amount of P85,000.00 ($1,932.00) was raised to purchase the property, which is 10 X 10 sq.

meters. Part of the money came from the church offering. A construction for the building is now

on-going. And praise the Lord that a seed money and materials are available to start the project.

Part of the congregation that meets at Ptr Sam's house for worship, bible study, prayer meeting

A construction is going on for a new church building in Hernani, Eastern Samar

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OUTREACHES

A bible study group in Sta. Fe - they have no worship service yet

The unfinished church building in Tanauan and the worship attenders

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MORE GOODS & EQUIPMENT DELIVERED TO THE AREAS

Hand tractors and other farm equipment Building materials

Monoblock chairs Bibles in English, Cebuano & Waray dialects

Assorted goods from Japan Int'l Food for the Hungry

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PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING - by Ptr Sam Aberia sent to the EFCP office

Our church in San Mateo (Eastern Samar) under Ptr. Gayo is going strong, they will extend their

building to accommodate more people. One of their youth, Vinny, will study ministry this June,

together with Justin from Borongan church. Lord willing, four years from now, we'll have two

new young seminary trained workers here in Samar.

Our Hernani church plant is beginning to grow since I assumed my new assignment. We have an

average Sunday worship attendance of 35 people, and midweek prayer meeting of 20 persons.

Pastor Noel Cabanillas and wife Zheren have started their work in Maydolong and Balangkayan

church plants. Pastor Nilo Ocana and wife Elylou have yet to start in Giporlos because the house

is still under renovation.

Everyday our chainsaw operator and his assistant cut coco lumber for the people in the

community. One chainsaw is in Borongan, the other two are here in Hernani - one of which will

be transferred to Giporlos.

The generator which you and Kurt brought last December is still being used by the community as

electric power here is still a problem to many houses. The barangays provide the diesel, oil and

its maintenance.

OTHER PRAISES & PRAYER CONCERNS:

1. Silverio, from Tanauan, Leyte will also study at our ETCP bible college in Cebu City in

June. He was featured at the previous updates who saved the two children during the

typhoon. He is assisting now Ptr Singh in Tanauan. Praise the Lord for a sponsor who

pledges to support the first year of his four- year studies.

2. An intern student from the ETCP bible college, Nikho Miguel, will be assigned in Camotes

for 10 months internship beginning this month. He needs our prayer support for wisdom and

strength as he takes charge not only the outreach ministries but also the rehab and community

development work. He is the son of one of our EFC pastors, Ptr Greg & Carmelita Miguel.

3. Praise the Lord that a construction team from a church in Oregon, USA will come to

Tanauan on May 10-17 to finish the church building there (refer page 7).

4. The disaster committee needs God's wisdom and guidance as we decide on other kinds of

livelihood to consider that may include: goat-raising, cow-raising, hog-raising, purchase of

more farm equipment and materials including hand tractors, plows, seeds, fertilizers, sprayers

5. The three field coordinators and their families will be given a break being so tired and

exhausted in the field. They will come to Cebu City on May 5-8 for unwinding and also to

share and discuss each other's strategies and problems encountered in their area. Then, they

will attend the EFCP Visayas regional conference on May 8-10 at Camp Bato, Sibonga. The

three are: Ptr Sam Aberia (Samar), Ptr Dionesio Singh (Leyte), and Ptr Cris Asilom (Cebu).