Saving Happy Church by the grace of Jesus
Pastor Elvie and Lina |
Blessed be God that inspite and despite of the agony and pain of the sudden tragedy,we can still praise the Lord . . .Hallelujah our God,the Almighty reigns! The event brought about many tears to us here and there were questions why it happened (I did not).
Many cried, others that are not a part of our church were merry making, some commented that we intend to burn down our church for insurance purposes not knowing that the church building was not insured at all, not even for a hundred pesos.
For me personally, I was devastated and I did not know how to act. When the building was eaten by the fire and I saw it at a distance,I did not know what to do.To shout ? to cry ? To sit down on the road ?To bite one of the people around me who were so noisy looking at the fire? But instead, I found myself with only these words in my mouth; "Thank you Lord Jesus,Thank You Lord Jesus,Thank you Lord Jesus." Maybe I have said ,Thank you Jesus many hundred of times.
When the fire was finally put out, I then went to the vicinity (after gathering a lot of courage which I believe is from the Lord). When I arrived there, every eye was on me, some with questions, some in sympathy, some with curiosity and some.... just for the enjoyment of beholding me pale and wet with tears and sweats....
Thoughts were racing on my mind... Where will we gather every Sunday ? What about chairs, sound systems, musical instruments ? Tables, curtains and many other needs that has now arised after the fire.
But God is faithful, in all the pain of loss, we gathered together the very next Sunday in joy and gladness. The presence of God was awesome!!!. . . . . He gave us reasons to rejoice. In fact, the problem with chairs wasmomentarily solved. We borrowed and rented chairs from different sources.
A chinese family so dear and precious to us, gladly allowed us to use their own sound system. Halelujah, and we managed to borrow muscial instruments. Glory to God alone!!!
There is no shortage of the grace of God inspite of the tragedy, 43 received Christ the very Sunday after the fire. Praise God !!! And we will be seeing more salvation because He is at work, especially at these trying times.
We are stronger together as a church, loving more and being One in Jesus. We prayed and prayed and prayed together and come into one vision; LET US BUILD OUR CHURCH.We agreed to hold hands together and do and give what we can...to and challenge and encourage others to take part in this cause for Christ.
We know we cannot do it alone so we are challenging and appealing others to get involve in this project to the glory of God.We received helps from many of our daughter churches and their giving touches my heart.
One church up on the mountain which is not part of Happy Church, learned about the fire and gathered an offering (from their little congregation) the amount 518.00 peso (which is about 11.00 dollars)and they sent their contribution through a local money transfer. What an encouragement from God!!!
Even small children are eager to help and were asking how they can help. It is so touching to hear them ask if in every Sunday service,they could carry stones in their hands to help about the building of the church. Isn't that wonderful??? Many of them wanted to give up their daily school allowance and donate them for building of the church!!!
Many of our brothers and sisters pledged to gather sand and gravel as many as they could for the coming building..Others will donate coconut trees for wood,Glory to God!!!
And now we are asking for your help.I know you will but from the bottom of my heart,I personally appeal to you with all humility and gratefullness.
The church building will cost 15 million pesos or approximately $300,000. That I amount I know is huge for us but I know that our BIG GOD is greater than this, praise and honor to Him
Please pray with us about this church building Project.
We know and I know that it will come to pass....Because He said so! And when it will happened and this vision of building a new Happy Church will come true, He will be exalted and glorified.
God bless and THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING,EVERYTHING.
Please continue to pray for us, your brothers and sisters in Christ. He has started to dry my many tears....our many tears and we are looking with hope and faith, to that very day when God will turn our mourning into dancing again. Sorrow and pain may endure for a moment but His joy comes in the morning....
Bless all your generous hearts.
In Christ,
Pastor Elvie Go.
