Eight days before Christmas, on December 17, Tropical Storm Washi dumped a month’s worth of rain on Mindanao Island in the South Philippines in only a few hours. Forests, denuded by logging, could not soak up the water. Surging flash floods combined with a high tide caused widespread flooding. More than twelve hundred people, still asleep in the shantytowns lining the riverbanks, drowned. Many thousands of adults and children were left homeless.
Although the Philippines are located in South Asia, half a world away, we have a connection with this country through three Filipino households that are part of Hope Fellowship Church. Both Shirley and Lily come from there. But it is through Jerry and Emma that our connection to this natural disaster is very immediate. Emma’s hometown, Iligan City, was the hardest hit by the flooding. Not only that, Emma experienced many personal losses. Emma's niece and two of her children died; her niece’s other two children are still missing. Emma’s brother’s house was washed away. Several in-laws also died. Surviving members of the family are depressed because of the loss of lives.
In light of this personal connection, we must do something. But what?
Jerry and Emma have told us that the survivors need basic clothing like t-shirts and jeans, personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and linens for bedding. They have found a way to ship a box of goods for $60 (every third box is free) to a contact in the Philippines who will make sure that these items are distributed to Emma’s family and others. As of now, they have two boxes ready and they’re close to filling a third box. They are definitely doing something.
If we are willing to donate some of our used summer clothing (all sizes), as well as linens, hygienic products, and even non-perishable foods like dried rice and cans of food, the family is willing to pack and ship it. So we can also do something for their relatives, friends and others.
One of the most helpful ways to respond is by donating money that can purchase aid locally. Therefore, our deacons have decided to hold an extra offering for “Philippines Tropical Storm 2011” on January 15. Thankfully, there are 25 established and 20 emerging Christian Reformed churches in the Philippines, and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is working closely with Living Hope Christian Reformed Church in Cagayan de Oro where some of the Living Hope church members’ houses have also been destroyed
When Marja and I met with Jerry and Emma family last week to learn more about the tragedy that had befallen their extended family, Jerry said that The Starfish Story motivated him to do something. As you may recall, this familiar story by Loren Eisley goes like this:
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
Although the Philippines are located in South Asia, half a world away, we have a connection with this country through three Filipino households that are part of Hope Fellowship Church. Both Shirley and Lily come from there. But it is through Jerry and Emma that our connection to this natural disaster is very immediate. Emma’s hometown, Iligan City, was the hardest hit by the flooding. Not only that, Emma experienced many personal losses. Emma's niece and two of her children died; her niece’s other two children are still missing. Emma’s brother’s house was washed away. Several in-laws also died. Surviving members of the family are depressed because of the loss of lives.
In light of this personal connection, we must do something. But what?
Jerry and Emma have told us that the survivors need basic clothing like t-shirts and jeans, personal hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap and linens for bedding. They have found a way to ship a box of goods for $60 (every third box is free) to a contact in the Philippines who will make sure that these items are distributed to Emma’s family and others. As of now, they have two boxes ready and they’re close to filling a third box. They are definitely doing something.
If we are willing to donate some of our used summer clothing (all sizes), as well as linens, hygienic products, and even non-perishable foods like dried rice and cans of food, the family is willing to pack and ship it. So we can also do something for their relatives, friends and others.
One of the most helpful ways to respond is by donating money that can purchase aid locally. Therefore, our deacons have decided to hold an extra offering for “Philippines Tropical Storm 2011” on January 15. Thankfully, there are 25 established and 20 emerging Christian Reformed churches in the Philippines, and the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is working closely with Living Hope Christian Reformed Church in Cagayan de Oro where some of the Living Hope church members’ houses have also been destroyed
When Marja and I met with Jerry and Emma family last week to learn more about the tragedy that had befallen their extended family, Jerry said that The Starfish Story motivated him to do something. As you may recall, this familiar story by Loren Eisley goes like this:
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”
Next week, let’s donate the requested items and money and throw some starfish back into the Sulu sea.
- Pastor Peter
“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”
Next week, let’s donate the requested items and money and throw some starfish back into the Sulu sea.
- Pastor Peter
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