Funeral Service of Brother Victor Masucal Sr.

April 18, 2016

Our brother in Christ, Victor Masucal Sr., died on April 12, 2016 at the age of 50 due to "Heat Stroke." The intense heat of the sun due to long drought cause his death. Their place was much affected by El Nino calamity where many of their crops and trees died. Brother Victor was an active member in Bacungan church of Christ, Bacungan, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. His wife, Carmen Masucal, was also very active in the work of God. They helped in establishing a congregation and built a meeting place beside their house. The last time we met with brother Victor was in a Gospel Meeting at Malawanit church of Christ, Malawanit, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur on April 2, 2016.

On the last funeral service and burial, brother Julie Divine A. Notarte, was requested to preach. We comfort his family to continue in their faith. There were hundreds of people who attended and heard the truth. Brother Joseph Notarte was requested to lead the songs and brother Jonathan Notarte and I (Joshua Notarte) had cooperated. Brother Little Tari also help in preaching on the funeral services every night. He is also a preacher in this congregation for several years and help restoring many brethren.

Please pray for the family of brother Victor Masucal Sr. who are grieving for the loss of their loving father. They need our comfort and prayers in this trying times. But overall, we are thankful that brother Victor spend his last days in serving God and we believe that he died in the Lord. (Rev. 14:13)

Gospel Meeting at Proper Sinapulan church of Christ, Proper Sinapulan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat (11 SOULS BAPTIZED)

April 16, 2016

We preached the Gospel of Christ on a Gospel Meeting at Proper Sinapulan church of Christ, Proper Sinapulan, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat where brother Roberto Amloy and Daga Balawag preaches. For many years, this congregation remains active in faith even though they suffer great crisis from time to time especially now in times of drought. But we are thankful because their zeal on studying God's word was not hindered. As a result, the brethren were edified and 11 precious souls obeyed the truth and were added to the Church of Christ.

I (Joshua A. Notarte) was one of the speakers who preached the word of God together with my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Aside from the brethren, many alien sinners were invited and heard the truth. Brother Reneboy Bogoy, a preacher in Colonsabac church of Christ, Colonsabac, Matanao, Davao del Sur lead the songs. He also help in establishing this congregation many years ago. Brother Joseph Notarte and Jonathan Notarte had cooperated.

After preaching the truth, 11 precious souls came forward during the invitation song and were baptized by brother Julie Divine A. Notarte. They heard the word of God for several times through bible studies in their place. Brother Roberto Amloy did much work in preaching first to them. Their names are: 1. Domaso Mino, 2. Minda Mino, 3. Vangie Mino, 4. Mary Ann Mino, 5. Marina Mino, 6. Osmeña Mino, 7. Marites Balilid, 8. Jelyn Sagandi, 9. Teresa Orong, 10. Marian Babad, and 11. Rebecca Esmana. To God be the Glory!

The effect of drought in this place was very visible. It widely damage the crops, trees and lives of the brethren. Many mountains were burned with fire after the grass died. Uncontrollable fires affect their corn crops, banana and coconut trees. Their main source of income was gone. Many rivers also are almost empty. They ask for help like foods and medicines. We are praying that God touches the hearts of the brethren who are able. May God help us all.

Drought Victims Pleading for Help

April 14, 2016

A severe long drought in the Philippines has damaged the wide scale of crops, trees, farm animals, and even houses of our brethren. Hundreds of hectares in Davao del Sur areas and neighboring provinces were burned with grass fire due to severe heat of the sun. We don't experience enough rains for several months that cause many rivers empty. That is why wherever we go, we see the hard condition of our brethren who are struggling to survive.

This day, we witnessed the great effect of drought in Osmeña, Sulop, Davao del Sur where 4 houses of our brethren were totally burned with fire and also burned the coconut plants of brother Ringene Grengea who is a member in Padada church of Christ. Massive grass fire occur during the intense heat of the sun that burned their houses and plants. For now, they evacuated in a small room at Day Care Center in such area. We do what we can to help them. We give some rice and clothes to relieve them in this hard times. Please pray for them. Their needs are still greater than what we can give.

Many more brethren in different places are much affected by drought. Everyday, we received text messages and phone calls from the brethren asking for urgent relief. Many brethren are in hunger and sick who need food and medicines. Many brethren died already due to severe heat and was heat stroke. Some of them were not yet buried. We do what we can to help them but our resources was very limited. We don't have enough finances even for our travelling expenses and our car tires need to be replaced.

We are asking for help to our brethren who are able to help those who are much affected by long drought. It will take at least 4 months before the farmers can recovered after we experience rains again and it will take about 5 years before their coconut plants could bear fruits. Please help us and remember us in your prayers. No matter how small your help is will be properly used and received with great thanksgiving. If you have any concern, please contact us immediately.

Gospel Meeting at Purok 5 church of Christ, Purok 5, Colonsabac, Matanao, Davao del Sur (23 SOULS BAPTIZED)

April 9, 2016

In the hinterland and rebels place, the Gospel of Christ was preached inside the meeting place of the Church of Christ in Purok 5, Colonsabac, Matanao, Davao del Sur. Brother Rene Boy Bogoy and his co-preachers helped in establishing this local congregation. They sacrifice and risk their lives just to preach here every Sunday worship and house to house bible studies. By God's grace and protection, we were able to preach the truth and successfully harvest many lost souls to Christ. 

As we travel the area in Colonsabac, Matanao, Davao del Sur where many brethren in Christ lived, we observed the great effect of El Niño crisis or drought in the area. Many mountains were burned with fire and their plants died due to severe heat. As a result, our brethren suffer more in hunger and sickness. Some of them had already died after eating poisonous crops. They don't have crops to harvest and therefore, many of them desperately cut their trees to produce coals to sell in the market in a very low price.

But no matter how hard they are, the Gospel of Christ was not hindered in spreading. The brethren were eager in attending the Gospel Meeting to hear the truth that edify their faith. Many alien sinners also had attended, believed and obey. I (Joshua A. Notarte) was one of the speakers who preached together with brother Jonathan Notarte (my elder brother in the flesh) and my father, Julie Divine A. Notarte. Brother Joseph Notarte was not able to preach because we were advised not to stay for long in the area since many armed rebels lived there and observing us.

After preaching the truth, 23 precious souls submitted to baptism and we give all the glory to God! Brother Rene Boy Bogoy baptized them. Their names are: 1. Jongkoy Samling, 2. Lordan Manggaan, 3. Devencia Samling, 4. Jennifer Samling, 5. Leah Acdang, 6. Live Alone Mula, 7. Leberiza Labuayan, 8. Shemen Acdang, 9. Dreamer Pandoy, 10. Melchor Acdang, 11. Jorgan Bulane, 12. Nida Samling, 13. Brelia Lasib, 14. Villa Mae Indog, 15. Janeth Samling, 16. Allen Jay Pandoy, 17. Ladita Lasib, 18. Ugna Lasib, 19. Boshwego Sinambong, 20. Reymart Mula, 21. Amado Samling, 22. Clarisa Lasib, and 23. Carmelita Moca. One of them is a "Commander" of the rebel groups and now repenting his sins. To God be the glory!