I can say that the existence of the El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI in our parish makes the Eucharistic celebration more lively and meaningful. The people, especially the Filipino migrant workers here in South Korea, have become more aware of the need for God in their lives. Many have responded by living the Gospel, and by loving God and their fellowmen. Even those who belong to other religious sects are now attending the Eucharistic celebration and are converted to the Catholic faith through the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ and at the invitation of this group.

I firmly believe that the work that the Foundation have started is a tremendous work of the Holy Spirit. It is doing miracles of renewal and healing, both internally and physically for the Church in the Philippines, as well as for the Filipinos in the “Diaspora” (Filipino migrant workers scattered all over the world), who, I believe,are people with a mission.  The impact of the community is felt more among our countrymen abroad. Many, who before found solace in discotheques and all sorts of 

gambling (as an escape from their hard and lonely lives) now come to its prayer-meetings with longing and gusto, strengthened, happy and fulfilled. They have lost their attachment to their former wasteful pastimes—to say it mildly. So, I believe, God has sent Bro. Mike as a prophet of our times mainly for the Filipinos abroad, for over here, they are more aware of the need for God in their lives. The people he have touched through the Foundation in the Philippines are the pillars of faith-renewal among Filipinos abroad.

I have also witnessed miraculous healing through this community. Two outstanding cases I'd like to mention were the healing of two patients with serious cerebral hemorrhage. One had partly lost her vision and suffered slight paralysis on the left side of her body. Together, we prayed hard with faith in God during the course of her treatment. Before any surgical intervention was performed on her, she recovered her sight and her paralysis disappeared. Later, the doctor had to operate on her because of a tiny blood clot. Her progress after the operation was fast, to the amazement of the doctors. After some rest, she returned to her work last July. The other case was so hopeless that the hospital would not accept him anymore. Through our prayers, he was admitted and the doctor decided to operate on him. His progress was steady to the surprise of his attending doctor. Now, he is healed. Praise God for the miracles He is performing on His little ones! The Foundation has the Spirit of Christ, because it caters to the little people—the poor, the sick, and those who have no bread, but are searching for the Bread from Heaven. Sometime in February last year, I had a chance to visit its center at Amorsolo Street in Makati. I was reminded of the time of Christ, as the simple people crowded all over the place. In contrast, many of our parishes cater to the upper bracket of society, who, coming to Mass in their luxurious cars, are given priority attention. I'm happy with the way our Church in the Philippines respects Bro. Mike and the Foundation, giving him a lot of leeway, I'd say not in the usual way. The greatest guarantee of Bro. Mike's authenticity as a servant of God and having been God-sent is his being a proven man, his humility and obedience. God be praise for this tremendous work!

I see a danger, however, that may run adverse to the work he have started. When God sends a prophet, He usually sends a prophet and not many prophets. The danger is that those who lead as coordinators of its chapters in the Philippines and abroad may imitate him and think they are sent in the same category as him. Some have no religious background and formation, and when they experience power, especially spiritual power, it can go to their heads. Power struggle and ambition creep in and that's the beginning of the downfall of the work of El Shaddai. No wonder, Bro. Mike mentioned in one of his voice tapes that some coordinators, instead of helping, are only giving him headaches. A sure guarantee that these chapters can go on along the path that Christ has marked for His disciples and followers was that the parish priests and chaplains should not be just spiritual directors, in the sense of giving their blessings, but should also have a decisive role in the running of its respective chapters under their care. I close now and assure Bro. Mike of my prayers for him and his staff and the Foundation. The spirit of God is indeed upon him to bring the Good News to the poor and the little ones. God bless.

Rev. Fr. Erasio P. Flores, S.V.D.
Former Chaplain, Filipino Migrant Workers Chaplaincy
Madrid, Spain

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