When Typhoon Haiyan (aka – Yolanda) comes to mind or in conversation, it is always with a feeling of heartache especially in light of the extensive damage and suffering caused by a storm of such magnitude.
Suffering in general is something we want to avoid and when the time comes that it knocks on our door, we find it challenging to endure. Despair, fear and hopelessness can consume even the strongest of people. Yet somehow in the midst of these trials, there is a unique opportunity to encounter the realness of God unlike any other way.Facing these hardships brings to the surface our frailty and need, something not always recognized when life is going smooth.
God always wants us to place our sufficiency in Him, yet it often takes low points in life for this reality to sink in. The things we set our security or hope in quickly vanish with such loss. People who turn to their Creator rather than from Him in these times of testing, have powerful encounters to share, encounters of God’s presence and peace that surpasses understanding. Peace that does not make sense considering the storm that rages around them.
One of our leaders at Hope for the Island (Let) took a brave step in obedience to God’s prompting and went to help in the devastated areas. She knew all too well that we could have easily been in their situation. She also knew God wanted to use her to serve those in need and point them to the only hope found in the Lord.
This outreach was one that changed her heart. Being on the end of serving and caring for those in despair, she experienced God moving in her heart and guiding her steps. Obedience to His call truly brings forth great blessing. Those who have stepped out in faith obeying the Lord know just what I’m speaking of. With a burdened heart of compassion, Let placed herself in God’s hand and the testimony shared is one that can inspire us all. This is her experience…
Barangay Maalat of Madridejos is one of the towns on Bantayan Island. Mostly fishermen and their families live there. There are approximately 500 households and 600 families. Of all the towns on Bantayan this was the most devastated place. Their evacuation center was completely destroyed. The ceiling caved in and the walls crumbled during the typhoon. People inside were trapped. As the rain and wind intensified, they were sure they would die. Many were injured but survived because a father sacrificed his life and died in the process to get everyone else out to safety.
As the kids gathered around me, I saw the fear on their faces as gusts of wind and rain came. The images and sounds haunt most of the kids. It is understandable considering all they could hear for hours was the snapping of trees, crashing of houses and people screaming and wailing all around them. I cried as they told me their stories. As I embraced them I knew all the more our heavenly father was embracing and comforting them.
With 90% of this barangay (village) leveled, people were gathering rubble and scraps to make basic shelters. I got a glimpse of what it felt like to be lying bare under the heavens with no protection from the elements. Through the help of friends, tarps are on the way to provide temporary covering to these families.
The mothers I talked to found a way to be thankful knowing that casualties would have doubled if the typhoon hit at night especially with all the flying debris. They were running and crawling just to be kept away from danger.
I arrived in Barangay Maalat of Madridejos on November 20 loaded with used clothing, bottled water, noodles, canned goods, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste and medicine. After two days of travel, I felt tired and hungry. To see people smile and their hospitality despite their difficult condition, I almost cried. With no money, no crops and no boats, most of the people I met had nothing to eat for that evening. I gave out supplies with the help of others to 200 families within that area.
Kids I had spent time with the night before were already waiting for me at first light. I enjoyed playing games, singing and talking about hope that comes when we place our trust in Jesus.
Knowing that I already had limited supplies, I traveled by boat to Cebu city to stock up again. I got twenty-three sacks of rice, boxes of noodles, laundry soap, candles, coffee, nails for building and medicines for cough, cold, and fever. While there God also provided ten water filters! That was a big help, especially with contaminated water being such a big problem.
Early Friday morning I was back on Bantayan. It was a busy day distributing food in Maalat and communities nearby. Special gift packs were given to those who lost family members. I spent time in prayer with those families and was there to lend an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. It was ideal being by myself or with few others because people were less intimidated and more open.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to shine Christ’s light in these areas where the majority were not Christians. They were very responsive to the Word of God and I pray the seeds planted will take root and one day bear fruit for eternity.
At the end of my visit I went back to the wife who lost her husband who helped save people from the collapsed evacuation center. God led me to provide financial help so that this widow would have the means to earn a living on her own. I also had a gift for two special boys 9 and 13 yrs. old who were orphaned when they lost their father shortly after the typhoon passed. It was a memorable and tear filled way to end my time in Bantayan Island. It is a place that will forever be in my heart.
Thank you to all who helped make this outreach possible! Your prayers and support were an answer to prayer. Thank you for the concern and love you extended to our people.
