A Better Day

The average house in the States uses asphalt shingles for its roof, layered over a sheet of tar paper, laid on top of plywood, nailed to a maze of 2 x 4 rafters and beams. Here in the Philippines, the average house uses sheets of thin galvanized iron – GI sheets, nailed or wired onto criss-crossed beams of coco lumber. These will withstand rust and leakage for 5 to 10 years. Low cost houses in the States use a cheaper type of asphalt shingles. Native houses in the Philippines use the leaves of the nepa plant, weaved together with plant fibers to form shingles that will last a couple of years, maybe three.

Both types of roofs were blown away by the typhoon.

Last week, the week after the storm, we focused on immediate food relief and needs assessment. It didn’t take long to figure out that the overwhelming need, after food, was roofing materials. So, for houses that had nepa before the storm, we helped them purchase nepa to repair their roof. Same for those who used GI sheets. But, with a major part of the country needing to repair or rebuild their homes, building materials are in short supply.

That is why Monday morning after sunrise, as the wheels of commerce began turning in our city, me and my team were canvasing the hardware stores scouting for roofing materials. Once found, the next step was securing a jeepney (a kind of passenger van unique to the Philippines) to carry the nepa and GI sheets to our target areas, where they were accepted by grateful hands. Today, homes that were devastated by the typhoon are now livable again, thanks to the generous response of those who are giving to Baptist Global Relief.

This week, we are still focused on different aspects of disaster relief. Along the east coast, building materials are being delivered. In some inland areas, we are still finding villages needing food. Along the west coast, we will be delivering building materials, as well as assessing new areas for possible relief work and evangelistic efforts. All this could not happen without the eager help of our non-paid Filipino church leaders who are burdened for their fellow countrymen. They are leaders today because caring Southern Baptists in the past have supported missionaries and their training efforts.

The country has a long way to go. It still needs a huge amount of help. But today, the flood waters have receded, the streets are cleaner, sounds of rebuilding fill the air, and despair is turning to hope, as the world lifts a helping hand to a people who are eager to see a better day.