ON September 23, 2009, Typhoon Ketsana hit Palau, an island country in Micronesia, in Oceania, western Pacific. The next day, the storm intensified, upgraded to a tropical storm, and struck the Philippines as Typhoon Ondoy on September 26, 2009.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of calamity over Luzon, as landslides caused by
Ondoy killed 86 persons. By October 24, 2013, records showed a total 464 died in the storm.
We remember Typhoon Ondoy very well as it was during the onslaught of the calamity that our Light of Jesus Family established the Light of Jesus Family Disaster Recovery Ministry (LOJFDRM).
Our founder, Bro. Bo Sanchez, encouraged our Community leaders to form the group to help members in times of calamities.
At left, Bro. Bo with Bro. Marvin Tan, Ministry executive director, with supportive wife Sis. Liza Tan.
Organization
Early on, Bro. Bo assigned Bro. Roy Pasimio (extreme left) as the first head of the Ministry.
Bro. Roy formed its organization, objectives, and policies.
In time, Bro. Roy handled the LOJ International branches of The Feast, our faith gathering.
So, Bro. Jorge Diomampo next handled the Ministry. Soon, Bro. Jorge retired, and so, Bro. Marvin took over.
The Light of Jesus Feast is a loving community where all members can feel safe, experience support, love, and care especially in times of crises and calamities.
With an unending cycle of generosity– giving, sharing, saving lives—we have called our Ministry “The Feast Little Acts of Love”.
A Board of Trustees leads our Ministry with Bro. Hermie Morelos (above left) as chairman.
Other Board members are, from extreme left: Carl E. Fontanilla, Cesar Campos Cagalawan, Judd B. Balayan, Ervine J. Pangwi, with Marvin as executive director, and Jhun Que (below left) as operations director.
Yes, with little acts of love, the Ministry has promptly provided relief for villagers affected by calamities– typhoons, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, fires, armed conflicts. From the time of Bro. Roy and Bro. Jorge, and up to the present time, the Ministry has given millions of financial assistance and relief goods to countless members of our Light of Jesus Family, The Feasts, and even non-Feasters affected by the calamities.
Reaching Out to More in Need
Today, Bro. Marvin is discussing with our leaders about making LOJFDRM an official ministry in every district of our Feast worldwide which will be called “Feast Little Acts of Love Ministry”.
The Feast in a community or village is the first to see the impact of a disaster around its location. So, with a branch of our Disaster Recovery Ministry in a Feast, the Feast can promptly respond to the needs of the victims– evacuation process, meals, clothes, treatment and medicines for the injured, and rehabilitation program for them.
As envisioned, the Ministry in every Feast will be managed mainly by volunteer servants.
Is the Lord calling you to serve in this Ministry?
Kindly respond through Bro. Marvin Tan: [email protected] phone… 0949 402 2250
To those affected by recent calamities, we echo
the message of Bro. Bo we earlier put out in The Feast Family: “We reach out to all those affected by the recent calamities. From my family to yours, our entire Light of Jesus Feast Community, we want you to know that we are fervently praying for you. We embrace you with God’s comforting healing and love.”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
