2 parsonages and a brand new 80 sqm church were completed in San Miguel ahead of time, much to the delight of Ps Jascinta and the believers there. Together with Barangay Tugop in Tanauan, a total of 44 houses and 2 churches were rebuilt within 5 months. Thank you, friends, for making this rebuilding vision a reality!
Even as we celebrate this milestone, we remember two things. Firstly, the many Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) survivors who are still living in temporary shelters more than one year after. And secondly, survivors of another Typhoon – Hagupit (Ruby), which made landfall on 6 Dec ’14.
Thank God for downgrading Hagupit from a super-typhoon to a tropical storm and that it did not devastate the same communities badly hit by Haiyan one year earlier. Although it brought about knee-high flooding, all the houses we helped to rebuild in Leyte were not damaged by the strong winds and heavy rains. We stand deeply grateful to God for this.
However, 3 of our pastors in Samar (north of Tacloban) where Hagupit made landfall are affected. Ps Samuel in Borongan, Ps Luc in Catarman & Ps Ed in Servantes report that their churches and several members’ houses are damaged. We plan to make a trip there to see them and to assess the situation. Pray with us for God’s direction and resources to help in some way.
