On the right side of the store owned by Ginalyn is an unfinished building, which belongs to the Nazarenes. The Nazarene church has run down since their pastor left. The Nazarenes have agreed to allow the UMC to utilize the building for services. Some of the Nazarene members are now attending the UMC Sunday Services. The blue motor cycle is what Pastor July uses in doing his misson work.
Bishop Leo Soriano, Pastor July, Ginalyn, and Mylene pose on the road. The vacant lot on the right side is the lot purchased for the future church site. Immediately across the lot is a sari-sari store (a small variety store), which is owned by Ginalyn. Ginalyn and Mylene are among those who regularly attend Sunday worship.
District Superintendent Irene, Pastor July, Ginalyn and Mylene pose for a souvenir photo. The vacant lot behind them is the future site of the UMC in Biao.
District Superintendent Irene and Pastor July standing on the future site of the UMC in Biao.
On September 22nd, 2011 I received an update from the Bishop on the Biao Church. He said that he, along with District Superintendent Iren, Pastor July visited Biao and took pictures of the lot that bought for the church site. He is traveling and will send pictures at later date. I will post these when I receive.
The documents for the land is now being processed and in due time they will be able to transfer the title in favor of the United Methodist Church. Pastor July is doing a great work in Biao and the Bishop is please with his achievements. He does not have any sure support but somehow the district has been able to sustain him up to this time. He is being supported with something like 1,000 to 1,500 pesos a month, which is around $35.00 U.S. dollars. This money actually comes from 2 or 3 people who have committed to support the pastor. District Superintendent is one of the supporters and she is working with the Korean Missionaries in hopes to obtain further support. The Bishop said the Korean support are bright and they may even help support building a church.The $250.00 provided by the Methodist Church in Fort Branch was a real blessing. Cherry and Gordon Rogers continues to provide Pastor July with a mode of transportation and housing.
The Methodist Church in Fort Branch helped plant the seed and we are seeing fruits of their efforts. Please continue to lift up the Biao Church in your prayers.
On August 9th the First United Methodist Church of Fort Branch did send some money towards Pastor July's Salary. I am very thankful that the Lord has provided! Pastor July lives by faith that is provisions will be provided, something that is difficult for me to comprehend. It does encourage me to see how someone lives day to day on faith. May God Bless him and the Church in Biao.
On the 24th of July 2011 I received an update on the Biao Church from Bishop Soriano. I had written the Bishop asking for an update on the church. I wanted to ensure that I had a detailed understanding of any issues as well as progress that I can report to our Mission Team. On the good side they have been able to raise the money needed to pay the balance of the lot that was in the process of being bought in Biao. The land did not have a perfect deed of sale; however they are working on getting this corrected.
The immediate need is to secure support for Pastor July’s salary. The Biao church has over 30 people that join their congregation for worship, majority of them being children. Although they are blessed in many ways, the people are economically poor. As the Bishop has indicated, they can hardly raise money for their next meal, much less, the support of their pastor. We have planted a seed and there is growth but we desperately need to find a partner to help support the mission in Biao. I ask for your continued prayers and will provide an update in the near future.
I am pleased to let everyone know that progress is in the works for the Biao Church to purchase land, an initial step in having their own place of worship. Pastor July has identified a piece of property in Biao proper and we have held several discussions about this with Bishop Soriano. The Missions Committee at the Fort Branch United Methodist Church has decided to provide $1000 towards the purchase of property. Please continue to pray that God will provide the remaining funds to complete the land purchase and build a facility for worship. The church in Biao is growing and soles are being saved!!
Cherry arranged for T-Shirts to be made for the Biao Church members and arranged a trip to Bacolod City. This was the first trip outside of the Biao area for most of the children. We would like to share some pictures of the children and pastor July.
