On Friday, November 8 the Philippines witnessed the fury of typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The typhoon hardly did any damage in Iloilo City where I’m visiting but the eye of the storm hit approximately 60 miles away and major damage started only about 30 miles from Iloilo City. So far government officials estimate up to 10,000 casualties. Because the area I was in was not affected, it’s so hard for me to wrap my mind around the devastation just a few miles from me. But the evidence of the destruction of this typhoon is everywhere and we cannot turn our eyes from those hurting. Hearing the stories of families that were affected breaks my heart and it compels me to do something.
As I was helping a local church here pack relief bags with
some food, candles and matches I wondered how long those goods would last them.
But I thought, “Even if it only last them 3 or 4 days, showing them that
someone loves them makes an impact in their lives!”
Desiree Patricio, director of the Sonshine Center, recently
wrote about a couple of ladies who survived the typhoon:
These 2 girls came to our church in desperation,
asking for help for their island Bitoon in Northern Panay. The island was
completely washed out, all the houses were completely damaged. Only one boat
survived thus they were able to cross the island and seek help. They really
need food and water. One of them said the people in the island survived on
coconuts. Just hearing them talk about their experience is really
heartbreaking. We need all the help we can get to help rebuild their lives and
their homes.
Click
here to sow a seed of love.
