From Her Daughter

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. 

Heaven welcomed its new resident in the person of Estrella C. Daya who died on May 4, 2008.  Mrs. Daya suffered from multiple myeloma which caused her severe pains due to a fracture in her back and neck area.  She left behind her two children, Hazel and Ryan, with their respective spouses and children, and a  legacy of living a life for the Lord.

From the Editorial Team of Leyte Light House

Estrella Daya was one of the proofreaders for this newsletter.  She was one of those people who tirelessly edited the draft, at times the draft would look all red since she used a red ballpen to edit it.  Her sole intention was to make the articles understandable and plain to the readers.

When she started to experience back pains, she begged off from reviewing the            newsletter but because of the  pleading of the staff that her assistance was badly needed she continued to do so.  At that time, the staff was unaware that her back pains were the symptoms of a much serious condition but they were so grateful that she continued to give her talents to the Lord until she could no longer do it.

It is for  sure that when she finally met her Creator, the Lord would welcome her with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful  servant.”

From the Pastor

In the past few weeks we have lost two of our faithful members here at Grace Baptist Church. Mrs. Estrella Daya was one of those special people. I thank the Lord that her mother many years ago as a pastors wife visited our church. I think I have the facts correct that he shared with her daughter Mrs. Daya that she should visit Grace Baptist Church. I am sure glad that she did. It started a friendship that will last for eternity. It was a blessing to see the entire family come to know Christ as their Savior after Mrs. Daya was baptized and became a member of our church. My wife counted her one of her good friends. They were seat companions in every service for many years. As her pastor I can say within any hesitation that she was a faithful member and loved her pastor and family with all of her heart. I can surly say that as with Brother Basilan she has left fond memories in our lives and will be missed. They also helped me to be the man of God that I am today. Praise the Lord for good members and the blessings they have been to me and my family. I pray the Lord will continue to make me a good member and give us many more members who love the Lord like Mrs. Daya. May God bless the family and our church as we honor those who are like Him now. To God be the glory.

Message From the Pastor

I have been preaching for forty years and pastoring for thirty five years. Many people in our ministries have come and gone along the way. I thank the Lord that along the way there have been many special people that have been such a blessing to me and to my family. Each person is an individual that God has made a certain way and the Lord has a plan for them to be used for His glory. Brother Arturo Basilan was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church. I remember some of my first months in the Philippines. There were days when I would go by the place where the family was raising chickens to be sold at the market place. Brother Basilan would spend a lot of time there during the day and even in the evenings. Every time I would visit there he was either reading the Bible or it always was by his side where he sat. During the past thirty years at Grace Baptist Church brother Basilan never said much with words but with his life and actions I knew for sure he loved his pastor and family. I remember one night after services counting the offering that he  shared with me that after many years of being saved the Lord had used my teaching of the Bible to show him that God was really sovereign and had an elect people he would save from their sins. He thanked me for sharing with him the truth of God's Word. It is a sure thing that as long as I have a memory Brother Arturo Basilan will be remembered as one of those people in my ministry that has been a blessing to me and made me more like Jesus Christ. May God bless his family and friends.