I called Emma to get an update on all the clothes and goods that they received from our church family last Sunday for the flood victims in the Philippines, including those in her extended family. When I asked how she was doing she said, “The sun is up and I’m good.”
It took two vans to bring all the donated clothes and goods to their home. Since then they’ve been steadily sorting and packing. Emma estimated that they are going to be able to send at least twelve boxes to the Philippines. To save space, they are shrink wrapping the contents and carefully taping the boxes with red construction tape. “Hopefully no-one will tamper with the box, or the box will explode,” Emma laughed.
The boxes, shipped from Scarborough at a cost of three for $150, will be sent to four trustworthy persons well known to Emma's family: a niece, a government counselor doing relief work, a cousin who is a children’s aid worker, and a pastor who was one of Emma’s former classmates. If nothing goes wrong, the boxes should reach the Philippines in six weeks and these four persons will then distribute everything to those in need.
Last Sunday’s offering for “Philippine Tropical Storm 2011” was also very hopeful. Together we raised $4487.89; this week a couple of people dropped off checks that still need to be added to the total by the counting committee. “That’s a large amount when it goes there,” Emma observed, mentioning the need for water, tents and other supplies. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee will disburse these funds. “Giving even $25 to a flood victim in Philippine allows that person to buy locally and help address his or her immediate needs,” I was told by Wayne de Jong, the CRWRC’s executive director. “The Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines will assess the needs and see that the money is distributed fairly.”
Emma admits that she, like most of us, is shy about asking for help. But her husband, Jerry, reminded her that, “to experience the grace of God you have to experience the humble act of receiving.”
Today she is really grateful not only for Hope Fellowship’s help, but also for the opportunity for her family to do something positive for those who are trying to rebuild their lives in her homeland.
- Pastor Peter
It took two vans to bring all the donated clothes and goods to their home. Since then they’ve been steadily sorting and packing. Emma estimated that they are going to be able to send at least twelve boxes to the Philippines. To save space, they are shrink wrapping the contents and carefully taping the boxes with red construction tape. “Hopefully no-one will tamper with the box, or the box will explode,” Emma laughed.
The boxes, shipped from Scarborough at a cost of three for $150, will be sent to four trustworthy persons well known to Emma's family: a niece, a government counselor doing relief work, a cousin who is a children’s aid worker, and a pastor who was one of Emma’s former classmates. If nothing goes wrong, the boxes should reach the Philippines in six weeks and these four persons will then distribute everything to those in need.
Last Sunday’s offering for “Philippine Tropical Storm 2011” was also very hopeful. Together we raised $4487.89; this week a couple of people dropped off checks that still need to be added to the total by the counting committee. “That’s a large amount when it goes there,” Emma observed, mentioning the need for water, tents and other supplies. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee will disburse these funds. “Giving even $25 to a flood victim in Philippine allows that person to buy locally and help address his or her immediate needs,” I was told by Wayne de Jong, the CRWRC’s executive director. “The Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines will assess the needs and see that the money is distributed fairly.”
Emma admits that she, like most of us, is shy about asking for help. But her husband, Jerry, reminded her that, “to experience the grace of God you have to experience the humble act of receiving.”
Today she is really grateful not only for Hope Fellowship’s help, but also for the opportunity for her family to do something positive for those who are trying to rebuild their lives in her homeland.
- Pastor Peter
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