We are standing with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan in the Philippines, as they continue the arduous task of recovery from the devastating floods that crippled the region in December. Twenty four thousand dollars has been contributed and sent to aid this ongoing effort. The aid money has been used for a number of critical needs: medical care (for pastors, leaders, and Oro Bible College students), safe drinking water, emergency housing, structural and grounds repairs. Below are some excerpts from Bishop Efren Miranda, head of the Philippine Advent Christian Conference, and Dr. Nely Gamayon, director of Oro Bible College.
Bishop Miranda writes:
“…As I write this letter, I am here in Iligan then I and my wife are set to appropriate cash assistance to 47 individuals who are confirmed to have lost belongings during the flood. There are also few who have undergone and are still undergoing medical treatment due to illnesses related to the tragedy…
“Pastor Mark who was confined for several days due to liptospirosis is getting well. He's taking a short break at his home town. But he's still taking further medication and checkup. So well with Pastor Pabling [Pablito Molina]. In his recent medical exams, his blood pressure and sugar level are noted high. And so he needs our prayers…
“Generally, the victims are now trying to recover not only from losses of properties but also from traumas caused by the disaster. So aside from appropriating material and cash assistance, we are also conducting stress debriefing to victims…
“Two of our churches here were really hit by the flood. I am particularly citing the Macanhan Church at CDO and the New Life Fellowship at Iligan. Good for Macanhan because they according to Ptr. Benjie, they were awake when the flood came so they were able to save their musical instruments and equipments. But I am more concern about New Life Fellowship in Iligan… because all instruments were damaged. After the flood, the church now conducts worship service using solely a hollow guitar.”
Dr. Nely Gamayon:
“I took care of the Cagayan de Oro pastors and students who got sick and for those OBC related needs as a result of the flood. I was not really physically exhausted but I think much more emotionally. I couldn't help but cry everytime I see the pitiful condition of the poor people who were severely affected by the flood and for the condition of the church members who were affected both in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan...
“We concentrated on the roof, the pvc pipes, the roof of laundry area of the dorm, the kitchen and the concrete enclosure on the ground where the mango tree was planted. We thought that was all. Then Monday, when I reported back to work, I have a class in the conference room. I noticed that the door would not close and when I look up I saw that the ceiling is about to fall off. The students told me, during the storm, the flooding on the second floor was severe in the rooms where the rain came in after the roofs flew off because of the strong winds…
“It is urgent that we repair it, empty the ceiling of water for right now, it is full of water, change the ceiling, the door frame and the walls that are now showing decay. I think electrical connections also have to be replaced to avoid fire that might burn the building…
“We still have one family of evacuees in the dorm. One of their daughters, who is our fourth year student had been hospitalized and still recovering. She started coming back to class Wednesday. The other family returned to their house on Tuesday, they cleaned their house and are now trying to rebuild their lives again after the flood…
“Classes are now back to normal, except that we have instructed our students to be careful not to drink the water from the faucet because it is still contaminated. Around the areas where there was flooding, people continue to uncover dead bodies, now decaying and unrecognizable. The evacuees in the public schools are now impatient with the government for their relocation. They are no longer allowed to go back and build their house by the river bank or on the island at the middle of the Cagayan de Oro river…
“The donations that are given to them, they use to buy the basic things they need; such as utensils for cooking and eating. Relief distributions of various kinds continue to be given to them. But what they need now is rehabilitation…
“My counseling class will be joining one church that will conduct a stress debriefing among the victims of the flood around the areas of Balulang and Macanhan."