Most of you are very aware of the recent floods that struck the Manila area. Kim and Larry live in that area but their dorm home is on a hill above Faith Academy and they experienced no floods. But right below them there was devastation everywhere. The waters are receding still, and the clean up will take a long time. Many of the believers’ homes as well as missionaries homes were totally submerged for many hours, and mud has filled most of those homes. Cars were literally moved along and piled up by the rapid waters that were flowing by. Several chapel building have experienced damage, and I am sure, although this has not been verified, that the chapel in Cainta was under water. It is raining once again in Manila today, and there are two more storms heading in this direction. We are praying that both will veer north and by pass the islands. The first one, which is expected to develop into a typhoon by weeks end, is currently tracking to strike the extreme northern sections of the island of Luzon, and may produce a lot more rain. But it possible strike areas still includes most of the island of Luzon.
Rescue efforts and relief efforts are underway. So many have been effected, we do not know what to expect when we travel down tomorrow. Please keep these things in your prayers. Dave and Ruth Harvey experienced just mild flooding in their living room and Aunt Rose Brooks had no flooding to speak of, so we are thankful for that. Holly Lucas is also safe and above the flooded areas.
So many are suffering and have experienced the loss of everything. Food shortages, water shortages, lack of clean water, electricity still in some areas is off, so there is a long way to go before things return to normal, if they ever really can for some folks. When Kim saw it raining hard again today and knew that there was the potential for more storms heading our way she said, “It makes my stomach churn, for these poor people who have already lost so much” Larry went out on Sunday to try and gather together and bring some relief supplies to the squatters down below where they live, and when he asked if any of the dorm boys wanted to help, every one of the volunteered and went.
Just keep the saints in your prayers. Keep praying for the relief efforts. Pray for wisdom of the government officials who have the responsibility to coordinate the relief efforts. Pray for the US agencies that are already involved in the relief efforts as well.
