"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

At around 11:30 P.M. of December 15, 1998, fire broke at Agora Complex Commercial Complex in San Juan, Metro Manila. The fire, which lasted for almost eighteen hours, destroyed numerous establishments with damages estimated at P100M! The cause of the fire is yet to be known though majority of the people suspects that it was arson as there were rumors before that there are plans to build a mall at the area.

It is noteworthy to mention that Calvary Chapel Manila used to lease the area since 1988. For 10 years, the Lord has been faithful with the church there until this year when, through some circumstances, the leaders felt that the Lord is calling the church to move. By September, 1998, we moved to a new building where the saints now meets. What happened was, Woodman assumed CCManila's lease at Agora in exchange of the building they have provided. It has been agreed that Woodman shall shoulder all the expenses with regards to the transfer and renovation of the new building. They have since renovated our old "church building" (they transformed the place to a "Bingo" center and they had their opening last November, 1998) but the promised fund for CCM is still unreleased.

Efforts have been made to get the money for the renovation of the building as it is long overdue. The owners of Woodman constantly made alibis on not being able to provide the fund. The leaders have even consulted their lawyer and they were advised to send a demand letter to the concerned person. But still, Mr. Atilano, the big boss of Woodman, did not release the promised amount. Pastor Lito de Guzman, our dear pastor, have expressed indignation to the seeming injustice of Mr. Atilano. As per his account, he remembered praying on the night of December 15, 1998 these words: "Lord, rebuke the man!". And he slept, not knowing that God's justice would be so swift. At 4 o'clock in the morning of December 16, he was startled with the news that fire is engulfing Agora!

We do not rejoice with the accident that has happened. Neither do we rejoice with the misfortune that has come to the numerous stall owners of the complex. But we rejoice in God's protection to the church as it was His hands that brought us to safety. It was His divine knowledge that He moved the church to its new location before the fire destroyed Agora. It was His wonderful love that He has moved the family of Pastor Lito (with his wife, Cecille and kids, Eleazar & Micah) to a brother's house (as their room in the "new" church building is yet to be constructed).

Calvary Chapel is a living proof that God protects. Electricians of the burned complex, whom we've known for years, have exclaimed, "The Lord really loves you!" The owners, Asiatica management, have even expressed amazement that we were able to move. Even the common people around San Juan acknowledged that the Lord has protected the church. The Lord really loves His precious sheep.

On December 17, 1998, representatives of Woodman handed a letter to Pastor Lito informing him that the church only have until December 28, 1998 to occupy the place. They have reasoned that as the place they have leased was gotten down by fire, the contract is terminated. The leaders are making a request for an extension of at least one month as they are still looking for a new place. We earnestly ask for your prayers that we may be able to find one before the deadline comes. We are looking for a temporary place where we could hold our services while looking for a property we could eventually own.

It may be great goal what we do believe that "nothing is impossible with God". If He has rescued the church from "fire", He could also bring us to a "river".