-----Original Message-----
From: buchanan@mozcom.com [mailto:buchanan@mozcom.com]
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 7:14 PM
To: DonYelton@wfrchurch.org
Subject: Flood Relief

Dear Don,

I arrived back in Davao Sunday afternoon.  All of us were very tired.

After our initial trip to Pangasinan, we also did some teaching.  Today,

Phillip Dumawa and some companions will go back to Pangasinan to assess

the situation following our initial FIRST DELIVERY for immediate needs.

We had two trucks of rice, canned goods, noodles, blankets, sleeping mats,

mosquito netting, etc..  Three other vehicles with workers also went.  We

delivered help in Rosales, Tayug, Binalonan, Mangaldan, Calasiao, Lingayen,

and Urdaneta in Pangasinan.  On the way back south, we dropped help in La

Paz, Tarlac.  Help had already been delivered to the Marikina section of

Manila, plus Cainta, and Pasig.  Help has also gone down to Sucol, a part

of Calamba, Laguna where 9 families were livng in the little church

building.  All of these families have lost their houses.  Laguna de Bay, a

very large lake, is still high and will not recede for some time.

"Makeshift" housing of blue plastic walls has been provided.  We took

in more rice.  I will send pictures.

Help has also been provided for San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and up to the

Northwest in Ilocos Sur and Claveria in Cagayan Province.  We hope to get

an assessment of conditions there.  We know, for example, that one

lady lost her house, her goats, and much of the top soil on her land.

People were trying to eat the blackened rice out of the field.  One

brother said that they would not ordinarily feed that to the dogs and

cats.

Because of great help given by brethren over here, and the March medical

mission, Marikina is now all right.  Our continuing problems will be that

Pangaisnan brethren have lost ALL THEIR CROPS.  Harvest was near and the

harvest was destroyed.  We will consider how we might be able to help

with SEEDLINGS for re-planting.  We do not even know yet if a crop can

be produced while there is still rain.  We will probably also need

medicine for flu cases.  We should know more in a few days.

THE HELP YOU HAVE SENT IS WONDERFUL.  In addition, some of our supporters

and friends have contributed.  We are very grateful.  We do not yet have

from Nueces Canyon the breakdown on who has given.

Lord willing, as soon as I can "cut down" the size of some pictures, I

will send some to you.  Because of the great help given, we have plenty

of funds for the present.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

Our love

Bob

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November 16, 2009

Dear brothers qnd sisters in Christ,

WOW! This has truly been an interesting month! We have been involved in the following: (1) Flood relief on Luzon, (2) Teaching in the class at Angeles City, (3) Teaching a class on the book of Revelation in Manila, (4) Speaking in the "Practical Christianity in Action" Seminar in Sampalok, Manila, (5) Speaking in the Central Luzon Lectures, and (6) Our "Extension Class" here in Davao City.

FLOOD RELIEF IN PANGASINAN PROVINCE

I flew to Manila, not only to help with flood relief, but also to teach after the initial delivery of food. We awakened at about 2:30 A. M. on Tuesday morning, and, with a number of helpers, loaded the two trucks with food. About 12 of us went in the trucks plus three other vehicles to the province of Tarlac where we picked up 50 sacks of rice. We began in eastern Pangasinan delivering these relief goods to brethren, and over the next two days, gradually worked our way to the western part of the province. One of the trucks was "stuck" in soft soil in one place, and this delayed us. The same truck had a brake problem which had to be repaired. When we arrived in Mangaldan about 10:30 P. M. of the first day, the brethren had prepared supper for us. We then slept on the floor of the church building.

I must tell you a beautiful story! At Mangaldan, after the first storm, which flooded so much of Manila, the church emptied its treasury of about 10,000 pesos and sent it to help with relief in the Manila area. A few days later, MANGALDAN WAS FLOODED! Now, the ones who helped were being helped! When we GIVE, we also RECEIVE!

Assistance was given to a number of congregations in western Pangasinan. We also had the opportunity to visit and distribute help to brethren in the Provincial Jail. Brethren have been teaching the Word of the Lord there. That day, four were baptized. I understand that there are now 137 who have obeyed the gospel in that JAIL.

OTHERS AREAS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE

In addition to the province of Pangasinan, food was distributed in Marikina, Pasig, and Cainta in Metro Manila, in Sucol in Laguna Province, up north in San Jose City, in the province of Ilocos Sur, over a bad road some distance from Naguilian in Benguet Province, and as far north as Claveria on the north shore of Luzon. Another delivery is scheduled for this week in Pangasinan, and brethren Wilkey and Garnett will be working on needs in the area of Ilagan in Isabela Province. Brian Garnett is the preacher and one of the elders at Nueces Canyon, Texas.

Many of the places already assisted will need MORE HELP in the days to come. In Pangasinan, many, many crops, almost ready for harvest, were destroyed. The rainy season will not last long enough to get another crop for some time. When possible, we will try to help with "seedlings." In the picture, you will notice that, at Sucol, the walls of small, temporary houses are made of PLASTIC sheets. Perhaps, these can be improved.

One of the beautiful things that came out of this CALAMITY has been the GREAT DESIRE IN THE HEARTS OF MANY BRETHREN TO HELP! Brother Don Yelton has raised thousands of dollars. Brother Tyrone Mynhier has done the same. We are so grateful for what so many of you have done. Funds will be available for some time to come, and Nueces Canyon will send them as needed.

BUT, there has also been such an encouraging response from the Filipino congregations. One congregation sent the peso equivalent of over $1300 to one area. The Uyanguren congregation here in Davao sent the peso equivalent of hundreds of dollars. The brethren doing medical work have contributed much. We have no details concerning many who have helped. One brother, a businessman, volunteered one of the trucks, the driver, and the diesel to send it. It may be needed again. We are also grateful for the great help of brethren Felipe Cariaga, Phillip Dumawa and others who have co-ordinated and helped so much..