• Bantayan Island, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson, Typhoon Haiyan

    Posted on November 12th, 2013

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Help the Desperate People of the Philippines

    Help the Desperate People of the Philippines

    A heart for those who have lost everything

    On November 8, 2013, a massive category 5 Typhoon that some experts are now describing as so massive there is no existing category for such a storm (Category 7?), struck the Philippines with a force unknown at any time in the history of the world. The eye wall of this monster Typhoon was just offshore from Bantayan Island. The government of this Island estimates that 95 percent of the homes were completely destroyed. The number of dead and suffering mounts daily.

    At just 6 by 10 miles in size, this tiny Pacific atoll is home to over 130,000 peacefull fishermen. Living in Nipa huts made from the natural coconut trees from the island, the 195 mile per hour peak winds of Super Typhoon Yolanda, also known as “Haiyan,” decimated every native structure on the island.

    For the past three years, we have conducted a ministry to the poor of Bantayan Island, Philippines.

    Today is Tuesday, November 12, 2013. On Sunday, November 17, we depart for Bantayan Island to truck in food and supplies for the desperate people of the island. Cut off from the world, no electricity will be available for up to 4 months. We received reports two days ago that in the neighborhood where we conduct our outreach to the inhabitants of the island, over 28,000 people are homeless, wandering the streets searching for food and water.

  • Bantayan Island, For Christians, Natural Dissasters, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on November 7th, 2013

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Super Typhoon Yolanda to Strike Bantayan Island

    Super Typhoon Yolanda to Strike Bantayan Island

    As of Friday, November 8, 2013, 11:30 pm, weather authorities tell us that it is certain that Bantayan Island will suffer a direct strike by this massive Class 5, signal 4, Typhoon.

    Winds are expected to be close to 180 miles per hour, or approximately 230 kilometers per hour. Storm surge from the sea is expected at 7 meters or 21 feet.

    If this forecast holds true, no structures on the East facing side of the island will survive.

    All those who live on the East side of the island where the storm will be most severe should evacuate to higher groud, in a concrete structure which can endure the winds and waves. Those who live in structures along Santa Fe are especially vulnerable.

    We have many friends who live in this area, and many of the poor who live in structures that cannot endure this type of storm, are in great danger. Please tell everyone who lives on the coast to evacuate to higher ground before the Typhoon arrives in the next 12 hours as signal 4.

    We are praying for the safety and preservation of all the people of Bantayan island and know that the Lord will be with all of you in this great time of distress.

    Please pray for the poor of the island who cannot evacuate the island and must endure the full force of this massive storm.

    We are planning to arrive on the island later this month to bring fresh water, rice and medical supplies as we are able to obtain them. There will be great need of outside help from those around the world who can help. Please give whatever you can afford to help us supply the needs of the people of Bantayan Island. Make a donation to help HERE

    We will update this article as information becomes available.

    Pastor Rob and Marissa Robinson

  • Bantayan Island, Encouragement, For Christians, Outreach, Philippines

    Posted on January 13th, 2012

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Does Knowing The Truth Really Make Us Free?

    John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

    Recently on my Facebook page, I have made a fervent appeal to all those who are listed as “Friends”, to come to the aide of a young woman and her newborn son on Bantayan Island in the Philippines. Little “Gerard” was born with a condition called “hydroencephalitus”, or “water on the brain”, that causes pressure to build in the skull, and can cause death or brain damage. If this child can obtain surgery quickly, he can be rescued from death and lead a normal life. For less than $2,500.00 we can obtain the life saving surgery needed for little Gerard.

  • Bantayan Island, Outreach, Philippines

    Posted on January 7th, 2012

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Help Save Baby Gerard’s Life

    Help Save Baby Gerard’s Life

    Many of you who receive our daily updates on your Amazon Kindle, are aware of our ministry to the poor of Bantayan Island in the Philippines. About one year ago, my wife and I moved permanently to this location from the United States in order to ministry to the needs of these desperate people.

    As we have become more acquainted with the dear people in our little village where we live, our lives have become intertwined and knit together day by day.

    A young mother next door to our home, has a new baby boy named “Gerard” who was born with a condition called “hydroencephalitus”, or “Water on the Brain”. This condition places pressure on the brain and can cause death or severe brain damage.

    If we can obtain surgery for baby Gerard this next week, a “shunt” can be place in his brain that will drain the fluid and release the pressure on his brain. Gerard can then lead a normal life and grown up healthy and strong.

  • Bantayan Island, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on July 19th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    The Blessedness of Simplicity

    The Blessedness of Simplicity

    After nearly six grueling months in the States, we have finally returned to Bantayan Island where life has taken a soft slumber reminiscent of village life in the Philippines one hundred years ago.

    The sale of our home completed, we packed up our few belongings and made the 20-hour journey to our tiny seven by ten mile island atol that is to be our new permanent home. I am writing to you today from our small rental home along the shores of Santa Fe Beach, on Bantayan Island.

  • Bantayan Island, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on June 18th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Return to Bantayan Island July 7

    Return to Bantayan Island July 7

    After one of the most stressful and busy six months of our life, our home in the states is finally sold and we are on our way back to the Philippines.

    On July 7th we return to Bantayan Island to continue our new ministry to the people of the tiny island that is to be our new home. A waxing American economy has caused all Christian ministries to suffer from donor decline leaving the future of missionaries such as ourselves in uncertain times. We hope and pray that the Lord will touch the hearts of many to help us in our efforts to reach these needy people with everything the Lord has planned for their lives.

    Look for a large increase in articles, photos and updates from Bantayan Island and the happenings from this tiny tropical atoll to be forthcoming beginning next week as well as the first part of July. Rob plans on including many hundreds of stunning photo’s from the Philippines and Bantayan island that will amaze our readers with the rare beauty of these 7,200 islands and the amazing 93 million people who inhabit them.

  • Bantayan Island, For Christians, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on May 15th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Bantayan Island Ministry Update

    Bantayan Island Ministry Update

    After four months of praying, waiting, and hoping in the Lord, it is our great privledge to report that our home has sold and is in the final stages of escrow. In order for Marissa and I to be able to make our move to Bantayan Island permanent and be available to minister to the people of the Island, this final step had to take place. Please continue to pray for us as we wait for the final approval and close of the escrow in the next two weeks.

    After escrow closes, we will be packing our things in a storage container and heading back to the island.

    We appreciate those who have stood with us during this long process and have continued to pray and support us. Your love and encouragement have meant so much to us. The work of ministry would not be possible without your commitment.

    Unfortunately, some of our supporters who had been sending in their offerings to help us with the ministry on Bantayan Island have ceased to support us. Perhaps it is the financial difficulties of our economy or that some other problem has prevented their support. We understand that sending support for the Bantayan Island ministry while we are still here in the States may be a difficult concept to grasp. After all, why do we need funds for the people if we are still here in the U.S.? Our hopes were that support would continue to come in while we were back in the States selling our home and finalizing all the details of our move. That way, when we returned to the island we would have a pool of funds to immediately begin to help the people of the island.

  • Bantayan Island, Outreach, Philippines

    Posted on April 12th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Ministry to Bantayan Island, Update

    Ministry to Bantayan Island, Update

    To our friends who pray for and support us financially in our ministry to Bantayan Island, we sincerely thank you for all that you are doing for us on an ongoing basis. Without the continued monthly support of people just like you, it would not be possible for us to return to Bantayan Island in the next few months to continue our ministry to the people who need our help so desperately.

    Like many of you, I have been following the events in Japan with great interest and many prayers. The needs of the people on this island community are also great and their suffering is unimaginable. Whenever we see events like these in Japan, it reminds us that there are people all over the world who really need our help. Because of the great amount of news coverage on the major networks, Japan has been receiving a tremendous amount of financial and human aid. We are grateful to the Lord that He has called so many thousands of people around the world to send their help to these people who are worthy of as much assistance as we can give them.

  • For Christians, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on March 28th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Jesus Commands Us To Go

    Jesus Commands Us To Go

    Jesus has a heart for every person on this planet. He loves the poor fishermen on Bantayan Island in Cebu, Philippines just as much as He loves you. The call that Jesus gave to every one of us is that we should “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”.

    Mark 16:15 And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
    Either the Lord told us to stay where we are at, or we should go. If we cannot go, we should equip those who can go so that they can preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and thereby make ourselves co-laboreres with the ones we enable to go.

    My wife and I have a ministry to the people of Bantayan Island in the Philippines and have already began making Jesus known to theses humble and extremely poor island dwellers. They live on a remote atoll in the Visaya sea, about 10 miles off the coast of Cebu. The island is just 7 by 10 miles, yet has a population of 70,000 souls according to the 2007 census.

  • Bantayan Island, Bible Prophecy Updates, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on February 10th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Ministry to Bantayan Island: Update

    Ministry to Bantayan Island: Update

    With our return to the United States from Bantayan Island, we have renewed excitement over the events that have transpired over the past few months.

    The people of the island welcomed us with open arms and told us that our coming to the Island was an answer to their long awaited prayers to the Lord for help. After the destruction of their homes by a typhoon in 2006, most of the Nipa Huts that the islanders live in were never repaired.

    Unlike American homes that have complicated and expensive structures, the dwellings of the people in the fishing villages on Bantayan Island, have simple structures made from Coconut trees and Bamboo.

    We discovered that we can repair partially destroyed homes for about $500.00 and completely rebuild a new home for a little more than $2,000.00

    Having completed phase one of our ministry to the people of the Island we return to the United States to raise the support that will be needed to return to Bantayan Island this October.

    We already have a ministry team on the ground on the island preparing and gathering the materials that we will need to begin the construction of many new homes. Once we have raised adequate funds to start the construction of new homes, we will return to the Island later this year.

    For those of you who have already sent us your financial support while we were on Bantayan Island, you can see how those funds were quickly put to use in the second video we produced while on the island called: “The Children of Bantayan Island”, seen on our web site: www.bantayanisland.org. We were able to help over 40 families and open the door to all of our future ministry to the people because of your generosity in giving even while we were still present on the island.

  • Bantayan Island, Famine, Outreach, Philippines, Prayer, Rob Robinson, Witnessing

    Posted on January 14th, 2011

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Lift Up Your Eyes and Look

    Lift Up Your Eyes and Look

    This morning as we are here in the Philippines, we drove our scooter over to the local Mc Donald’s for breakfast. Each day there are gathered all around this restaurant, dozens of street children who wear tattered and dirty clothes. Many of them are orphan’s and have no homes. They are hungry, dirty and desperate for someone to love them.

    As Marissa and I sat near the front window, one thin young boy with no shirt or shoes peered through the window at me as I faced him. As I looked into his beautiful dark brown eyes I saw a glimpse into his soul. The Holy Spirit then spoke to me as He very often does when I am here amongst the people. “Help Him”.

    It is the same voice, and with the same words that I hear over and over each time I am near any of these who have such desperate needs here.

    I told Marissa that we should go back up to the counter and buy food for the three small boys that we had seen near the front window of the Mc Donald’s in the 30 minutes we had been there. As we took the bag of three breakfast sandwiches out to the children, their faces lit up as though we had brought them the most precious gift they had ever received. One by one they came towards me and bowed in respect, grabbing my hand and placing upon their forehead in honor of myself and Marissa. “Thank you sir, thank you maam”, each one said to us.

    As they took the sandwiches and began to gulp down what seemed as if it was the first meal they had eaten in days, others came to join them from around the corner.

  • America In Prophecy, Breaking News, Persecution, Philippines, Signs on the Earth, Terrorism

    Posted on December 26th, 2010

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    The Danger of Following Jesus

    The Danger of Following Jesus

    While I write this article the sound of roosters crowing echo with the voices of children singing Christmas songs nearby. The Barangay where I am living with my wife’s family in Talisay is a peaceful place even though it is filled with much activity.

    The people of the Philippines are a gentle and peaceful people. They treasure the joys of being with their family members on a Sunday outing to the beach, or an afternoon of laughter around the songs they sing in their living rooms.

    Not far from the peace and serenity of a simple life, Al Qaeda lurks nearby. In the southern part of the 7,200 islands of the Philippines there is an evil that threatens the way of life that Filipino’s love. An evil that does not care for family, the love that is felt and shared, nor the simplicity of a humble and loving people.

    Those demonically inspired men who have turned other quiet neighborhoods of the world into war zones would like nothing better than to bring their brand of terror to all the streets of these peaceful islands. The people of the Philippines will not have it here though. They fight hard against the efforts of these selfish men. Brave soldiers and private citizens die for freedom from evil, just as Americans have died for their freedom in past and current battles. I pray that my amigo’s here continue to be successful in eradicating Al Qaeda from every corner of this lovely place.

  • Bantayan Island, Encouragement, Jesus Church, Outreach, Rob Robinson

    Posted on December 21st, 2010

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    The Blessing of Possessing Nothing

    The Blessing of Possessing Nothing

    As you many know by now, Marissa and I returned from Bantayan Island to Talisay in Cebu a few days ago. It was one of the most fruitful experiences of our lives and the doors of opportunity continue to open every day since we returned. Already a great outpouring of support from those who have read our recent post on the new Ministry Opportunity on Bantayan Island have started to come in. We received immediate financial support within hours of the posting of the article and video on this web site, as well as Teach The Word.com.

    To those who responded so quickly, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your loving help. We return to Bantayan Island on January 19th to give away your gifts to the people. We can’t wait to see their smiling faces and tears of joy as they realize that someone far away in a corner of the world they know nothing about, really cares about them.

    In our friendship with the people of Bantayan Island, we were struck by the fact that they have such great peace and genuine joy despite possessing very little materially. When the Lord first created us, He sat on the central throne of our heart that had no equal with anything else in human life. There were no other distractions from things, there was no desire to posses anything else except God. He was all and more than enough to satisfy the deep desire of the human heart.

  • Bantayan Island, Bible Prophecy Updates, Outreach, Rob Robinson

    Posted on December 20th, 2010

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    A New Ministry Opportunity on Bantayan Island

    A New Ministry Opportunity on Bantayan Island

    If you have noticed, I have been absent from posting articles on BPU for the past few days. We have been exploring a new ministry opportunity in the Philippines on Bantayan Island.

    Bantayan is a small atoll just off the coast of Cebu, about 7 by 10 miles in size with approximately 120,000 people. The island is largely unspoiled by the rest of the world. When you step foot off the ferry that brings you from Hagnaya Cebu to the port at Santa Fe on Bantayan, you feel as if you have stepped back in time at least 50-60 years.

    As a boy my parents took me to Hawaii in 1965 and I remember the island looking somewhat similar to parts of Bantayan Island. Coconut woven nipa huts line the fishing villages along powdery white sand beaches, glistening with crystal clear aquamarine waters.

    The clear water is so shallow around the area beaches of Santa Fe that you can walk out onto the soft sand bottomed coast at least 100 yards and not have water come up past your waste.

    Walking along the pristine beaches, talking to the native fishermen who still make their living by the sea, you have a sense that you are among a very unique people. Although they are extremely poor and lack even the most basic necessities of western culture, they have a wonderful joy and a smile that never departs their beautiful tanned faces.

  • Forgiveness, Homosexuality, Jesus Church, Philippines, Rob Robinson

    Posted on December 10th, 2010

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    Gays Increasingly Accepted in the Philippines

    As I have visited the Philippines on five occasions over the past 5 years and hope to live amongst my Filipino friends in the near future at least six months out of the year, I have become increasingly concerned over their tolerance of the gay lifestyle.

    Filipino’s are fun loving, easy going individuals who accept just about anyone and remain friendly to all those who are friendly to them. This often leads to their acceptance of those who have chosen the gay lifestyle without saying much. Most Filipinos do not privately endorse sex between two men or two women as being acceptable, but to actually stand up and protest and say something against such actions goes against their non confrontational personalities.

    Today I read an article that is included at the end of this post that was just one more very sad commentary on the direction that the Philippines has taken in the acceptance of those who are gay amongst them. Largely a solid traditional male-female family oriented culture, they are a close knit community who cherish family and the time they can spend together. As I sit here this cloudy morning in Cebu my wife and I sleep in the master bedroom of my wife’s Sister and Brother-in law. They gave up their comfort and convenience to make us as comfortable as possible. They will sleep downstairs in a small bedroom and forfeit their own privacy for the sake of family. Tomorrow we take a trip by car to the white sands and blue waters of Mactan Island to enjoy a family day together. It will be a day of laughter, love and the pleasure of just being together.

    Family is very important to Filipino’s and I am personally concerned that their docile acceptance of homosexuals and lesbians into their society will turn the Philippines into a modern day sodom and gomorrah. The consequences of that acceptance will undoubtably be the deterioration of the family values they cherish and enjoy.

    Every great culture which has embraced the gay lifestyle, has over the course of history collapsed into ruin. This is an undeniable fact and a statistic that is pointing the way towards to soon return of Jesus. The Bible describes the fact that in the last days before Jesus return, societies will increasingly endorse sodomy and lesbianism as an acceptable lifestyle and this will turn their culture away from God and cause their downfall.

  • America In Prophecy, Encouragement, Outreach, Philippines, Rob Robinson, Salvation

    Posted on December 8th, 2010

    Written by Rob Robinson

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    The Effects of Salvation: A Tender Heart

    The Effects of Salvation: A Tender Heart

    Yesterday my wife and I went with a few family members to the local mall here in the Philippines. It is a stark contrast to this culture that they have such beautiful and modern malls in the midst of so much poverty. As our car passed along the crowded city streets, there were many souls lying on cardboard mats near stone walls, completely exposed to the rain, polution and in full view of the thousands of cars that pass by.

    A man at the entrance to a side street, hails a taxi for two pedestrians walking towards him. He has become an entrepreneur by finding a job for himself hailing cabs for those looking for transportation. Only a few that he assists will pay him perhaps one or two pesos for his efforts, but none the less, he has acquired a job for himself.

    A darkly soiled, and slightly bent over man sits beside the road with his dirty feet, matted hair and disheveled presence going unnoticed to the passers by. No one cares that he has not eaten in days, nor has anyone embraced him or told him they love him for years.