When the Lord laid the burden in the hearts of the staff to reach out to the Southern part of Negros when the Typhoon Odette struck its worse in our region, there were mixed feelings and unspoken apprehensions –
- For one, we did not have any experience in relief operations.
- Secondly, the church was raising funds for the HOPE Center as the vision for a place of prayer and retreat was given by the Lord last 2019.
- Thirdly, we had only about 2 weeks time left to plan and strategize for the mission caravan.
However, seeing the hand of God at work, literally 2 days before the storm came, we were in Hinobaan for an overnight retreat with some pastors in the very area where the relief operation, or what we came to call ‘Missions Caravan’, will focus on. Connections were established that enabled us to operate in partnership with the local pastors and churches in these areas, ensuring that follow-up of the souls of these recipients can be done. The very route we took on our way home was the same route the typhoon passed the day after we returned to Bacolod.
With no experience and no finances, the team went for 2 days prayer and fasting, to seek the Lord for instructions. Two distinct words were given for the ‘Missions Caravan’ in line with the theme of the church which is the year of ‘Overflowing Thanksgiving’.
- First, there will be open doors, and
- second, miracles and healing will happen.
With the plan of covering 5 municipalities: Ilog, Cauayan, Sipalay, Hinobaan and Bais, and distributing 150 packs per town, we set the goal of Php 250 – Php 300K as the amount needed for this project. This was presented and the church was challenged to pray on December 26, which was our Thanksgiving Sunday and the last Sunday of 2021. The Lord impressed in our hearts that this will be our ‘seed’ for the year to come.
By January 1, the amount of around Php 161,000 had been reached. It was indeed a demonstration of God’s faithfulness, but we are still short by a little over Php 100K. As lead pastor, it was easy to be anxious. But God’s peace brought confidence to declare that by Sunday, the amount will be met. Sure enough that same day, someone called out of the blue and through the conversation and later on found out about this project. The following day, Sunday, a cheque of Php 100K for the Missions Caravan was sent to CORE with the donor not knowing how much was still needed.
The rest as they say is history. Miracles, open doors and surprises accompanied our 4 days journey from day 1 to day 4. God is indeed a God of wonders who is faithful and true to His Word.
Pastor Dave King
Trinity Christian Fellowship, Lead Pastor
Day 1 – Ilog, Negros Occidental
