While I have an internet connection I wanted to send out a quick up date on the conditions here in Baguio. The typhoon crisscrossed the island three times over the course of last week and the last three days were the worst for us here. The rains caused several landslides and currently all roads in and out of Baguio are blocked. Which means no supplies from the lowland are getting through. I do believe that will be rectified today or tomorrow.
The damage is great. One of the families from the chapel, with five children, lost half of their home in a landslide, what remains is critical as well and on unstable ground. One family lost five relatives in one landslide down in La Trinadad. We visited with the family from Navy Base over the last couple of days to bring needed food and supplies. Their home will take considerable work to make it safe again. Others have suffered damage as well, we will know more details as the day progresses today.
We were able to have our study at Navy Base yesterday since the rains have now stopped and we finally have some sun to help dry things out. We received over 2 meters of rain in one week…so it will take a while for everything to stabilize again and to dry out.
Continue to pray. There will be a lot to deal with in the coming weeks. Pray that the Lord will continue to bring comfort and strength for the days ahead.
Joyce and I are fine. Flood waters came up to our door step in the front and back…but nothing entered. We have several leaks in the roof but nothing compared to what others have suffered.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Update October 6, 2009
Thank you all for all your prayers. The typhoon which threatened Northern/Central Luzon has moved across the extreme northern sections of Luzon and it now rotating out in the South China Sea. It remains stationary and so we remain under a storm signal warning. But all indications are that it will move south west and away from the islands. Although it spared us a direct hit it did cause a great deal of damage north of us. Many have lost homes and several deaths were reported.
We had some strong winds and lots of rain, which began Saturday afternoon and continued through Sunday. I was able to travel down to Baguio Gold to speak on Sunday morning. The roads were passable and we were able to drive down fairly close to where the chapel building is. The remainder of the way we walked but both on our walk down this rather steep staircase, and our walk back up the rains let up. From Baguio Gold we went straight to Navy Base for their meeting which we much enjoyed. Then in the afternoon we had our fourth session of bible school. So the routine has returned to normal.
Today we continue our study of Ilokano. It is a long hard road, and we would continue to covet your prayers. We are trying to use what we know, but currently that is still quite limited. I will continue to translate outlines and main points into Ilokano for my teaching down in Baguio Gold, this will greatly help with my vocabulary. I have found it very hard at this point in my life to get a hold on this new language, but the Lord is gracious, and the people so very happy to hear us using it.
Again, thank you all so very much for your prayers. There is still much need down in the Manila area because of the floods. Several chapel buildings were destroyed and many believers lost everything. Please keep that recovery effort in your prayers.
We had some strong winds and lots of rain, which began Saturday afternoon and continued through Sunday. I was able to travel down to Baguio Gold to speak on Sunday morning. The roads were passable and we were able to drive down fairly close to where the chapel building is. The remainder of the way we walked but both on our walk down this rather steep staircase, and our walk back up the rains let up. From Baguio Gold we went straight to Navy Base for their meeting which we much enjoyed. Then in the afternoon we had our fourth session of bible school. So the routine has returned to normal.
Today we continue our study of Ilokano. It is a long hard road, and we would continue to covet your prayers. We are trying to use what we know, but currently that is still quite limited. I will continue to translate outlines and main points into Ilokano for my teaching down in Baguio Gold, this will greatly help with my vocabulary. I have found it very hard at this point in my life to get a hold on this new language, but the Lord is gracious, and the people so very happy to hear us using it.
Again, thank you all so very much for your prayers. There is still much need down in the Manila area because of the floods. Several chapel buildings were destroyed and many believers lost everything. Please keep that recovery effort in your prayers.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Update on Typhoons - Oct 2, 2009
We are bracing for super typhoon Pepeng. It is due to landfall tomorrow afternoon, but we are beginning to feel the effects of it already. The storm itself has slowed, which could indicate, according to the meteorologists, that it may change direction. Currently it is heading a bit north of us here in Baguio. But the other scenario is that the high pressure system currently over Hong Kong, could block it and cause it to track more south, or across Central Luzon, which is where we are. We are praying that it will continue to track north, although sometimes you feel guilty praying for such things as it will mean much suffering for others who live in those regions. We pray that His will would be done.
I am writing this update now because I am not sure if we will continue to have electricity tomorrow or internet service for a while if the storm tracks this way. We will try to keep you updated the best we can. Thank you all for praying. It is really our prayer that this storm will spare Manila of more heavy rain. They have already suffered much. So many of our brothers and sisters lost everything and several chapel buildings are completely destroyed. This is a huge storm and will bring rain over all of Luzon. So much suffering.
Keep praying…and we will up date you again when we can.
I am writing this update now because I am not sure if we will continue to have electricity tomorrow or internet service for a while if the storm tracks this way. We will try to keep you updated the best we can. Thank you all for praying. It is really our prayer that this storm will spare Manila of more heavy rain. They have already suffered much. So many of our brothers and sisters lost everything and several chapel buildings are completely destroyed. This is a huge storm and will bring rain over all of Luzon. So much suffering.
Keep praying…and we will up date you again when we can.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Typhoon Ondoy - Sep 28, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
September 15, 2009 Update
Greetings once again to you all in the wonderful name of our gracious and faithful Savior. We have had a full month. The bible studies are going well and producing some fruit for the Lord. In one of the study three made a profession of faith in Christ, at another almost all of those attending were out on Sunday to hear the word taught. I taught on the Saturday afternoon session concerning the coming of the Lord, several had never heard or understood these teachings, and it seemed to stir a few hearts. In another two have requested baptism. So we are thankful for what the Lord is doing in the hearts and lives of many. Please keep these studies in your prayers. We will begin, at the study in Fatima, some lessons on the eternal security of the believer and Christian living in the weeks to come.
These last couple of weeks the chapel building at Navy Base has been rather full. Seems we may have to expand the building. When it rains, all those who would normally sit outside or by the windows are forced inside which really packs the building both for Sunday School and the teaching time.
We began the first session of the new bible school this past Sunday. We had 16 who were in attendance. This bible school will run on consecutive Sunday afternoons rather than consecutive weekday evenings. The elders decided this might allow others to come out for this important series of teachings. We are encouraged.
The heavy rains associated with a typhoon that moved north of us brought caused a couple of the bible studies last week to be cancelled. They are in areas that are not easily assessable. We are still in the typhoon season here until October, so this will not be the last of the heavy rains.
Thank you all for your prayers.
These last couple of weeks the chapel building at Navy Base has been rather full. Seems we may have to expand the building. When it rains, all those who would normally sit outside or by the windows are forced inside which really packs the building both for Sunday School and the teaching time.
We began the first session of the new bible school this past Sunday. We had 16 who were in attendance. This bible school will run on consecutive Sunday afternoons rather than consecutive weekday evenings. The elders decided this might allow others to come out for this important series of teachings. We are encouraged.
The heavy rains associated with a typhoon that moved north of us brought caused a couple of the bible studies last week to be cancelled. They are in areas that are not easily assessable. We are still in the typhoon season here until October, so this will not be the last of the heavy rains.
Thank you all for your prayers.
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