Upon receiving their relief buckets, the lumads exclaimed “dakel ne salamat kaniyu lang ennog tabang kanami”(Thank you very much for helping us) in their native language. They were more than thankful that there were people used by God to touch their grieving hearts and reach out to them amidst difficult situations.
One of the highlights of the program was the message given by Pastor Andrew Kwong, Senior Pastor of EFC-Davao. He pointed out that Christmas is filled with God’s promise. He added a verse in the bible that says, “And this is the promise that He made to us—eternal life (1 John 2:25) and this life is in His son (1 John 5:11). He further stressed that Jesus is God’s most extravagant gift to mankind and that He is the gift that keeps on giving.
The get-together activity culminates the whole year of serving the Kingdom of God. It was a physical and spiritual refreshment to all outstation pastors and volunteers who committed their lives faithfully in church planting. It was a time of strengthening, sharing, unloading of burdens, and giving comfort among themselves as well.
On the night of December 22, 2017, thousands of families were displaced after the onslaught of cyclone “Vinta” (Tembin) which resulted to terrible flooding in Davao City, particularly in Juliville Subdivision, Jade Valley, Tigatto Relocation Area and a tribal community at Sitio Dumalogdog, a part of Marilog District, where some of EFC-Davao members reside. These families have evacuated to the barangay’s schools and gymnasiums for temporary shelter, and 16 families of Sitio Dumalogdog lost their houses to flood waters.