Typhoon Relief Update

It’s been over 100 days since Typhoon Haiyan plowed through the central Philippines, leaving behind 6,000+ fatalities and hundreds of thousands homeless. Last week, I visited some of the hardest hit areas of our island and recovery efforts are well under way. In the northern coastal town of Estancia, where over 100 deaths occurred, both government and private agencies are rebuilding parts of the town. In the provinces of Capiz and Antique, most areas now have electricity.

Just west of Roxas City, Capiz (where Hannah and Martha were born), teams from the disaster relief arm of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention have been focusing on helping a devastated coastal town rebuild. Thanks to the efforts of SBTC and BGR (Baptist Global Response), the town’s elementary school has a new roof and classes are meeting there once again. About 8 small housing units have been built, with dozens more planned, prioritizing the elderly and families with small children. Building materials have also been given to other high need families.

Partnering with the SBTC building teams is Bro. Ronald, manager of the computer school that was helped last December, along with several students from the school. They have begun evangelism efforts in the town and have had 8 to receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. Bible studies are beginning. Me and another Filipino partner have provided evangelism and discipleship training for those reaching out to the town. But prayer is still needed that open hearts to the gospel will prevail.

In northern Iloilo, about a dozen people lost their lives in Concepcion when a 20 foot storm surge wiped out much of this coastal town. One of our Christian Filipino businessmen is from Concepcion and he has converted some of his land into a farm, managed by two trained farmers whose work there is supporting their church starting efforts (2 churches started in the past year). They have planted a variety of cash crops, have begun cultivating the hillsides, started a fish pond, and are raising about 40 goats for meat and milk. We are exploring the possibility of using BGR funds to expand the scope of this farm to be a training center for future farmers who would spend several weeks there learning farming techniques as well as being evangelized and equipped to carry the gospel back to their home places.

Please continue praying for the ongoing relief efforts on our island of Panay, as well as in other parts of the Philippines. I talked to one farmer who lost nearly 100% of his banana and mango trees, 80% of his coconut trees used for his copra business, and his entire spring rice crop. Small scale farmers who lost everything are dependent on benevolent handouts until their land can recover. As with most disasters of this nature, there is a lot of government corruption, so please pray against that. But on the positive side, many families are back on their feet again. Many of our pastors are reporting that their members have renewed interest in their spiritual growth. And the gospel is finding open doors in places where before there was none.