NEWSLETTER

OCTOBER 4, 2006

POST-TYPHOON

POST-TYPHOON NEWS UPDATE

FROM MISSIONARY DALE MUELLER

October 4, 2006

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all the concern and prayers for our members and me, during and after the typhoon that hit here last week.  Phone, cell phone, and internet communication were all down for several days, along with electric power outages.  Some areas are still not restored, but we are back to normal in the Navotas area. 

Actually, I was stranded in the city of Goa, far from Manila in the Bicol region, during the typhoon.  There was extensive damage to trees, crops, power lines, and some houses in all places where we have churches, but I praise God that all our members are safe.  Some areas still will not have electricity for a month or more.   I arrived here in Navotas yesterday morning, after an extremely difficult time in bad sanitary conditions with no power and exhausting travel conditions.  I’m dealing with a stomach ailment, but expect to be fine in a day or two. 

In spite of the typhoon, I was able to accomplish all my agenda in Bicol during my trip, visiting Ragay, Naga, Goa and Caramoan.  In Goa, we were able to locate a better land option for our church there, which includes an existing house that can be temporarily used to for meetings, and a permanent pastorate.  If all the legal work goes well, we hope to purchase this lot and building by next month for about $12,000.   We’ll be looking at a phased development of a church building there next year as we are able to raise funds.  I will post details and a picture of the land on my website ( www.icm-phil.net ).

We praise God that Rove Leviste and Tessie Menor will move to Caramoan as ministers in January, 2007 after their wedding in December.  They will initially be there for a two month evaluation period, and then, hopefully will become the permanent ministry team.  Caramoan has been without a resident minister for about 5 years now. 

I really need your prayers for wisdom and patience in dealing with a series of unrelated conflicts and misunderstandings among church leaders in Navotas, Ragay, and Caramoan.  May God be glorified even as we deal with problems and let our weaknesses become opportunities for His strength to be manifest.

In Christ,

Dale