Update: Ministering Amidst the Storm
Church of God missionaries testify of the progress made before and following the recent typhoon in the Philippines and how a desperate need for relief still exists.
By Tom and Margaret Tioaquen
A team of four from the islands of Hawaii arrived with a primary purpose and goal to work with Fresh Hope Refuge Shelter on a short-term missions trip in the midst of wet weather and a pending typhoon’s arrival. The typhoon came, bringing heavy rains and flooding to many areas. Most flooding in our area took place along the river where the river people live.
The team worked with the workers at Fresh Hope Refuge Shelter, changing diapers, bathing babies, cleaning, babysitting and assisting the shelter workers. They swept water, emptied buckets as rain leaked through the ceiling, waded through high waters and were buffeted by strong winds while holding tight to good umbrellas, as they walked to the shelter and to do ministry.
Even with all of the inclement weather, the team was able to bless, teach and pray for the shelter children, teach them songs, pray for their sick bodies and cry as they hurt. The team also visited outreaches where they brought food, ministered and blessed children, among others.
International Agape Ministries was blessed with music and the testimonies of team members. Pastor Shirley Nanod preached the message Sunday morning. Sunday Evening Gospel Fellowship Center in Dau was also blessed with the ministry of the team members.
The Floods
Two weeks from their day of arrival, the team departed. Five days earlier parts of Manila were under water. Some people moved in water up to their necks in the swirling dirty brown flood, others climbed telephone poles and crossed to higher locations via telephone lines. The flooding tragically took over 300 lives in the area. One cause for flooding, as reported by the news media, was trash having been dumped on the streets. As the ensuing storm waters swept trash into the drains, the drainage necessary to remove floodwaters was blocked. Some areas in Manila are known to pile trash along the streets awaiting removal, thus creating a hazard with other trash thrown already on the streets and roadways. Large piles simply became a potential disaster. In addition, a large body of water broke through its dam and created more tragedy and havoc.
The typhoon provided rains that reportedly were the largest amounts of rain to fall in a short period time in many years. In our location, Angeles City, flooding occurred as well, but most drained due to the city’s higher elevation to Manila and other areas.
On our way to return the team to the airport in Manila, we observed something never seen before. The streets were clean; it looked as if someone had swept them. Rain was falling because of a new typhoon arriving in the northern part of the country, but the streets were clean from the previous flood. We did see destruction, entire shanty compounds were missing. When the waters receded, the people simply moved into the streets, creating a new shanty out of retrieved tarps and discarded cardboard. In some areas a renewed build up of fresh trash was evidenced in small piles along the route home.
Tom and Margaret Tioaquen
Missionaries to Philippines
Project Number 0650466
Philippines Flooding Disaster
Project Number 7650041
(Gentle Hands, Word for the World and the Philippines National Office are three Church of God ministries in the Philippines involved in immediate disaster relief. To give to this special project, please reference the project number above. 100 percent of all donations will be divided among these three ministries in the Philippines who are on the scene of the flooding, to be used for churches and families.)
© 2009 Church of God World Missions
