December 11, 2006

From: Chris McKinney

Last week the library on Philippine College of Ministry's new campus caught fire and all the books were burned. I feel heartsick. Over the past 14 years, I've taken great pleasure in channeling books into this library. Some of you have donated valuable books from your own libraries. I've solicited book donations from Bible colleges, bookstores, and publishers. When Dad died College Press donated many brand-new volumes, specially inscribed in his memory. On furloughs I've spent hundreds of dollars purchasing selected books at deep discounts at conventions and estate sales. Many of the books in the PCM library were classics long out of print. We had perhaps the finest collection of books on the Restoration Movement in the country. By last week, PCM had over 8,000 titles in her library.

Now, the PCM library consists of about 500 books, those donated or loaned by friends of the college or checked out before the flames struck or duplicates packed away for donating to other schools. People are gathering what they can to help the current students finish out the semester. I also happen to already have three large boxes of books in our forwarding agent's garage, ready to be shipped.

Attached are some pictures sent to me by faculty and administration members at Philippine College of Ministry. Although the Fire Department has not yet ventured to say what may have caused the fire, a dehumidifier is suspected. The college did not have fire insurance, based on reports that insurance companies in the Philippines are very reluctant to pay out on such policies. I'm also attaching a plan disseminated by the administration to restore the library. The fire did not harm the structural integrity of the library building (which also houses the computer lab and classrooms), but the library ceiling and floor of the next story up will need to be replaced. It will cost an estimated $40,000 to restore the library building.

Can you help PCM rebuild her library, whether by sending books or money? It will likely take many months before our library again has the number and quality of books we had in November 2006. Please pray not only for a quick recovery from this loss, but also for the morale of the PCM community.

In Christ, Chris McKinney

Send books to:
Philippine College of Ministry
Lamtang, Puguis
La Trinidad, Benguet
2601 Philippines

or to:
Philippine College of Ministry Library
c/o Karen Hong
2652 Altamira Dr.
West Covina, CA 91792
Tel. (626) 964-2098

For shipping check out Forex or
Universal Cargo (909) 606-8788 or (626) 482-1331

Send checks designated "PCM Library" to:
Philippine Christian Mission
8159 Woodland Dr.
Buena Park, CA 90620
Tel. (714) 484-6675