THE YEAR THAT WAS
By Dr. Dr. Pio S. Tica
Malabon International Baptist Church
Malabon City, Philippines
2009 is a very ironic year for the Philippines. It started with big bang from hundreds of thousands of firecrackers and close with a bang from the same, plus the eruption of Mayon Volcano which at the time of the writing had spewed lava and rocks rolling down the slopes. More than 50,000 people are housed in insufficient evacuation centers in Albay. Inception of various diseases and major eruption are feared.
Before that the violent destructions of twin typhoons ONDOY and PEPENG mercilessly pour rains, flood waters, tornados that caught the nation unprepared. More than 1000 people perished and houses, business, livelihood, farms and roads were damaged to the tune of more than US$500 million. The deep traumatic effects of these calamities are imbedded in the hearts of those affected.
Thank God for kind-hearted
churches, people and Christian
organizations that came to the
rescue to augment our relief
operations. Higher Ground
Baptist Missions alone were
able to distribute relief goods
to more than 1000 families
affected by the flood. Those
that helped are too many to be
mentioned but the Lord knows
who they are and we are sure
that He is now rewarding you
by leaps and bound.
Another Filipino black eye
in the international community
is the series of ambushes. To
date of this writing, there were
6 ambushes that were staged
in different parts of our dear
country. All are politically
motivated as alleged. The worst
is the massacre of 57 people
in Maguindanao province.
This place the Philippines
as the number one most
dangerous country in the world
for journalists. Out of the 57
victims about 20 were members
of the media. Suspects were arrested and in government custody. The
case is still pending in court.
Land and sea are not safe.
Collisions of cars and buses;
buses and trucks falling in deep
ravine.Motorcycle accidents,
etc. are daily reports. These
accidents caused the death
of many people. There were
already six passenger vessels
that sunk in the deep waters of
our sea resulting in the death
of over 100 people in a time of
suppose to be celebration for
the Yule season. Eighty percent
(80%) of the Philippine ships
are more than 35 years old and
no longer fit to travel according
to reports.
Many many more sad stories
can be added on series of fires,
criminal elements, etc. I am
presenting realities that will
lead our country’s leaders to
their knees and to challenge the
readers of this paper to uphold
us in your prayers before the
throne of God.
The irony of it all is that Filipino
spirit is never down. The smiles and
laughter of our people is echoed all
over the Philippines. Yes, because
there is hope. Hope is never dim in
the Filipino spirit. Hope not in our
political leaders nor in educational
attainments or material possessions
for all these were proven to be
insufficient to give hope. Rich
and poor and people from all
walks of life lift their hands and
hearts to God during those times
of calamities. Times when even all
their wealth, properties and families
were being ravaged by mud and
flood waters. Still we believe that
ONLY JESUS CAN SATISFY
OUR SOULS.
It is on this premise that we
at Malabon International Baptist
Church had acted to give relief
goods provided by concerned
people, groups and churches. We
put tracts and gospels of John
to almost all of those bags. We
held medical dental missions,
feed hundreds of slum children
where they are, provide clothing
and livelihood, help build church
buildings destroyed by the typhoons
and many other community service.
In December, HGBM present the broadway musical, THE FIRE OF HOPE in four different places resulting in over 1000 people accepting the Lord.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY. It was also the special Christmas day presentation of three (3) television stations plus four Sunday telecasts through the popular program of Evangelist Roger Arienda. WHAT A BLESSING! TO GOD BE THE GLORY. And in December 21 we held our gift giving to more than 1000 children from the slum district of North Metro Manila.
Thank God for His faithfulness to all of us and to the BAPTIST CHRONICLE folks. May the Lord bless you more and may the Lord give you the desires of your hearts in 2010 and beyond, ALL FOR HIS GLORY. (For further information regarding HGBM ministries, please send your e-mail to Dr. Pio S. Tica at piotica@ yahoo.com or log on to (www. familylifecenter.multiply.com)