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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, JUNE 5, 1981
PAGE 2
Mr. Armstrong then turned to some "lighter" topics which added to the
enjoyment of the day.
It was the first time for several local church elders to hear Mr. Armstrong
in person. They were very grateful for the opportunity to hear him in a
ministerial meeting.
Though the sky was overcast it was still a bright day! For almost one third
of the assembled members, it was their first time to see Mr. Armstrong in
person. After services, hundreds expressed heartfelt appreciation for Mr.
Armstrong's efforts in making these journeys to the outlying Church areas
while continuing his heavy workload in Pasadena.
A very enjoyable and rewarding day!
--Jim Kissee
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
International News
Re � ort From Manila, Philippines
In the wake of flooding by torrential
rains for more than the Noachian 40 days and 40 nights starting in December
last year, a large portion of the southern island of Mindanao was totally
devastated. A good number of the brethren in the area lost their crops and
property. Thankfully, there was no toll on their lives. While the flood
waters remained above rooftops for several days in many places, it was
impossible for Regional Director Guy Ames to reach the affected members of
God's Church until mid-March. Roads were washed out, and Mr. Ames had to
travel through dangerously slippery mud by jeep and cross swollen rivers on
a small native boat (banca) to get to the brethren in northern Davao and the
Agusan provinces. They were found to be in high spirits.
Since the news of the Mindanao brethren's plight, members of several Luzon
churches have sent money and used clothing to help rehabilitate them. A
sizeable donation of money and used clothing has also been taken up by the
Big Sandy Church in Texas, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Dale Shurter who
visited Manila recently and relayed the news of the need to the Big Sandy
brethren.
As if the earlier trial was not enough, a group of brethren later found
themselves in the crossfire between government and rebel forces in northern
Davao.
Members were on their way to the morning Sabbath service in the
newly established Nabunturan Church when the fighting took place.
They
were shaken but unhurt, and the start of services was delayed for awhile.
Two other incidents also closely brushed our brethren in the same area.
Local elder Mario Dulguime reports on the situation:
Last April 1, brethren were witnesses to the divine protection of God.
The mining site where they were panning gold was fired upon by the
rebels, hitting a policeman and three CHDF (Civilian Home Defense
Force) men.
Stray bullets killed a woman and seriously injured
another. Moments before one of the CHDF men was felled by a bullet,
church member Geronimo Esparagosa was talking with him.
Had it not
been for the timely arrival of another member, Benito Pablo, who took
hold of Esparagosa's hand and forced him to leave, he could have been
hit too. Upon hearing the gunshot, the other brethren dived to the