Fall Newsletter 2021
Dear Ministry Partners and Friends,
As we move from summer into fall I trust that the Covid situation is improving wherever you are. We are living in
unprecedented times as we hear of wild fires, floods, hurricanes, volcanoes and other disasters in various parts of
the world causing so many people to suffer. We know that God is in control and our trust is in Him.
FAMILY NEWS
The Martinez family is heartbroken by the sudden death on August 24, 2021 of our eldest brother Pepe at the age of
75 due to a heart attack. Pepe was the prodigal son in our family, and because of the physical and emotional abuse
he caused me to endure as a child growing up, I became bitter and angry towards him. Thank God through
counselling and spiritual insight, and as I matured over the years, I have learned to forgive, accept him, and bless
and pray for him instead. More recently, my sister Flora and I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with him on
different occasions. Real transformation wasn’t evident right away but during the past two years of his life something
began to be different. We noticed his attitude was changing, he initiated contact with us four siblings and in his
Facebook posts there were meaningful spiritual quotes. It is a source of sorrow and grief to me that I personally
didn’t have a lot of contact with him.
God truly goes before us, his ways are beyond understanding. He used my painful experience as preparation for the
ministry that he would call me to many years later. Our ministry at Esperanza is to bring the gospel of hope and
peace and reconciliation to people suffering from abuse and injustice, and to help to bring stability to dysfunctional
families. The Lord has now softened my heart with tender compassion and a desire to reach out and minister to
Pepe’s family members. Please pray that I will go about that task with Godly wisdom.
MINISTRY
I praise God for the courageous co-workers with me who do what is permitted even if sometimes it is not easy.
When lockdown restrictions were eased Kids Club were opening in different areas; Monthly Silent Retreats
continued; number of Bible studies increased and DVBS held last month was attended by
70 kids after it was postponed three times due to on and off lockdowns and typhoon We
also notice the number of youth attending increased and were
growing spiritually while being discipled, and that people generally
are more open and hungry for God’s word. We praise the Lord
that eight people from Dapi were baptized. However things have changed in recent days
as Covid-19 infections have come closer to home.
COVID IN OUR AREA
Until recent days we have been protected from infections in our area, now cases of Covid have entered Mayao
village and the number of deaths in Lucena keeps rising. The entire nation is enveloped with fear as infections
increase and hospitals are full. Vencio, head of the family, a member of our church died on his way home from the
hospital after being refused admission. We know of three others who also died with the same sad experience.
In August, Jun and his family tested positive for Covid-19. Thank God Ami, their son Joshua and grandson JD had
milder infections and have recovered. It was a scary time when Jun’s condition worsened and his oxygen levels
dropped. We would have taken him to hospital except that all Lucena hospitals were full and still are. As well as
having no beds available, they don’t have enough frontline staff to care for patients. After praying for the Lord’s
direction and guidance, praise God we were led to a good Christian doctor. So Jun was treated at home. Analyn
and I went to his house every day for 15 days to cook, clean, give meds, monitor their symptoms and report Jun’s
condition to the doctor. Jun has started to improve and Analyn and I decided to place ourselves in quarantine as a
precaution. Thankfully, we saw God’s protection in that we were not infected from our direct exposure to Covid.
Because of the current situation we are experiencing, we have temporarily paused events - church services, home
visits, and all other activities until everyone in the leadership and their families have recovered. Some committee
leaders and some families in Dapi are self-diagnosed with symptoms without having had a Covid test. Please pray
for God’s protection from the severity of their illnesses.
CHURCH EXTENSION
Last month the construction work started and I thank God for Jun Landicho overseeing this work. We underestimated the costs not realizing that hard rock underground would require many
hours of manual digging. Add to that the cost of materials that continues to increase.
Once a week I lead prayer and devotions with the
workmen. I had the privilege of sharing the gospel, as
well as the principles and value of work and the Godgiven talent each one of us has, to be used for the
Kingdom of God. I had given each of the men a Bible
and Jun tells me that three of the men (Onad, TY and Jesse) are now reading their Bibles – one of them I wrongly
thought would be the least interested. Jesse’s wife was so delighted and excited to see that her husband and their
10 year old son are reading the Bible together instead of watching TV. I could sense the respect and growing
interest of these men - God truly answers prayer!
SUSTAINABILITY
Since the beginning of summer we have sold avocados, dragon fruit, herbs and some
ornamental plants, and that revenue helped to pay some staff salaries this month and for the
maintenance of the garden. Our latest production is planting lettuce using hydroponic
technology. All of us at Esperanza are enjoying eating and drinking the produce from our garden.
We feel this helps to boost our immune system so we can continue to labor for God’s kingdom.
Some families in the community of Mayao have also embraced the idea of planting their own
natural herbs to sustain health.
PRAISE
God’s provision of more than a half of funds needed for the church expansion.
Salvation and baptism of 8 Bible study members in Dapi and Baao – pray they may grow in Christ.
Celebration of Dapi’s 6th year anniversary
Door of Hope Counselling Center celebrating its 24th Anniversary.
PRAYER
For the youth teachers who are busy during school season, yet take responsibility for 6 kids clubs done on
weekdays and Saturdays in different locations.
For the parents of those in kids clubs will come to know Jesus as their Personal Savior and Lord.
For the marketing strategy (production, advertising) of Esperanza products in the midst of pandemic.
For genuine desire of the workers on the church site to seek God for the salvation of their souls.
For provision of $2500 additional funds needed to complete the church expansion.
For the Couples’ Fellowship - for strengthening of the deep connection in their relationship.
For the students in the educational program, in their online, module studies and homeschooling classes at
Esperanza
My heartfelt thanks to each one for your sustained prayers and encouragement, especially throughout this
pandemic.
Love and prayers,
Sonia
