It is not such a simple thing for many Filipinos to welcome 2012, especially with the tragedy that came to our kababayans because of typhoon Sendong. And with the more recent landslide in Compostela Valley that killed several villagers, it is difficult to shout Happy New Year at the start of this so-called “Year of the Dragon”.

On the other hand, the Department of Tourism has just unveiled its new marketing campaign with the slogan, It’s More Fun in the Philippines! – very positive, upbeat and confident. What a contrast.

At FEBC, we have learned that we can only trust in God who created heaven and earth and who is not taken by surprise by any calamity. He also knows full well what it is like to live in our country. And so, we encourage you to put your trust completely in Him in the matter of the thousand plus Filipinos affected by Sendong and the Compostela Valley landslide.

Our Bayanihan Ngayong Kapaskuhan collected around P1.5 million from individuals, businesses, churches and organizations. It will all go to help the affected families through our partners Philrads, Operation Blessing and World Vision Philippines.

At the same time, there is so much we can look to God for this year. Filipinos need to hear the Gospel in order to respond, and so we at FEBC Philippines will move forward more aggressively to make this happen – through broadcasts, new media and social engagement. Families need to be strengthened with godly values and so we will continue to teach on the air and partner with like-minded organizations to see it become reality.

We believe it’s a very reassuring way to look at this New Year. It puts the focus on God, not on what we can do.

So, how do we say Happy New Year this 2012?

“Our hope is in You, LORD!”