Letter of Encouragement

I received a gift and a sweet note from my parents' friend Peggy Rosenlund - from Scofield Church, Maranatha Sunday School class days.  Mom and Dad still keep in touch with many from that group from so long ago. I don't think she'll mind that I copy it on here, to encourage not only my parents and the people of ABC, but to all who read this.

2/15/12
Dear Ed and Paz,
We are all grieved with you about the earthquake, so many homes destroyed and the church building that you had worked so hard to build - you know as well as I do - that the church is not really the building....but the heart of the individuals that have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

God seldom tells us the "why" in our lives - and even if we knew the why - it does not change the events - His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts....May our Savior encourage your hearts during these difficult days.  Love in Him,  Peggy

Skype and Photos

We all skyped with mom and dad tonight.  We are so grateful for being able to video chat with them (and Auntie Lal too - since they can only skype at her house in Dumaguete).  If you don't already have Skype - you gotta get an account and have an opportunity to skype with my folks.  Dad updated us on the recovery efforts.  They got Pastor Regalado's house fixed so he and his family are now back in their home.   They were so thankful to hear about more donations that have come in - that will surely help with re-building the homes of the families from the church.   They hope to send some photos of the progress and where they used the funds.

I realized as I was talking with them that it was Sunday there - so they had left the leading of the morning service with Pastor Regalado and the other ministry leaders .  They had attended Calvary Baptist Church in Dumaguete, to ask for continuing support from the Body there.  So many churches and businesses from Dumaguete have stepped up to help in so many ways.

Here are some more photos that I've snatched from the Ayungon Facebook page - some of the precious people who continue to struggle and the unsung heroes - volunteers - who have worked tirelessly to distribute help and hope to them - a picture tells a thousand words, so I'll shut up for now....

(photos by G. Dupio and P. Mahinay, used without permission)

Relief efforts update

Just got off the phone with mom - she is still in Dumaguete taking care of my aunt (get well soon Auntie Suis!) - she said she may head back to Ayungon later today.  By the way, Dad who is in Ayungon told her that yesterday they felt another tremor.  I saw these photos on an Ayungon Facebook page and had to share here, even though I have not received permission to use them.  Mom says they won't mind.

(photo by E. Martinez, Ayungon - used without permission)

(photos by E. Tinezram - used without permission)

These are just glimpses of how people in each town affected are being helped.  There are different organizations going up and down the main road through each towns, handing out "relief packs".  I notice the large containers holding rain water - mom says that it's been raining pretty much non-stop since last week.  While fresh water is always a blessing, it is a challenge for the many folks who are still living under tarps in their yards. 

Mom was blessed and so grateful when I told her I was going to deposit money collected by our Lifegroup (group of 7 families from our church who meet in our home every other week) - my friends truly care for them and they have been so generous.  Even though we haven't worked out tax-deductible details - they didn't care - they still gave.  They have blessed me, and I know they have blessed my family there.

Dad and the elders have finished evaluating each members' homes and decided that whatever money comes in, depending on who needs it most - they will give them money to purchase materials and they will work on re-building themselves or get help with labor from the other families.  At this point - the pastor's home on Lolali (Pastor Regalado) is priority - he and his wife and 2 small children have not been able to enter their house and have been living in a tent on the grounds this past week. 

Blessings

I talked with mom last night - she is in Dumaguete to tend to my aunt (her sister) who is undergoing blood transfusions in the hospital.  I asked her to put in perspective for my American friends - what they are able to do with the money they receive.  She said that she just bought a 52 kg bag of rice for 1,500 pesos that someone in the city gave her.  P1,500 is equal to about $35 (P42 per $1 exchange rate).  And that 52 kilo bag of rice will be distributed to about 25 people (approx. 2 kilos per family) - and that would be enough to feed a family of 5 for a day.

She also mentioned that she was thankful for the water filtering trucks the government has dispatched to Negros.  As I was talking with her, she said there was one such truck down the road by the river, filtering the water for the lined-up townspeople.  I thought that was pretty cool.

(photo by G. Dupio - used without permission)

Both of my parents are extremely grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many people.   Last week Laura Story won a Grammy for her song "Blessings."  I actually thought of that song when I found out that it rained the day after the earthquake - while my mom was fretting about all her books being ruined, she also knew that was provision of much needed fresh water for drinking.  If you haven't heard it, it really is a great reminder of the fact that if you love Jesus - we truly are not Home yet.  And that the trials of this life may be His mercies in disguise.

Thanksgiving

(photos taken by A. Alisoso at Corvera compound, Iniban, Negros Oriental 2/11/12)

It was a rough week for everyone in the northwest coast of Negros. Moderate aftershocks were common occurrences and on top of it all - rain fell on those who are still living in makeshift tents. Relief efforts have been slow going, and people continue to be afraid and distraught over all they have suffered and endured.

As of Saturday I still had not seen any photos of my parents or any of my relatives. Then someone posted the photo above - it is of my parents, my aunt and cousins and nephew and niece. Seeing it made my heart soar - just love them so much and so happy to see them doing fine and having a good time together.

Quick explanation: Iniban is a "barangay" of Ayungon - kinda like a subdivision would be within a town or city. My parents live in Awa-an barangay. Their property, where the church sits on, is lovingly called "Lolali Beach" - Lolali is the first 2 letters of "love, laugh, live" put together. It is our hope that Lolali will continue to be such a sanctuary and gathering place for all who enter.

Valentine's Day

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
These are the beautiful faces of the children at ABC. Behind them is a banner of sorts - signed by the children of Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We wanted them to know how much they are loved by God and by us.

Today I hope each person affected by the earthquake will be touched by Jesus' great love for them. Happy Valentine's Day ABC.

How can we help?

(photos of ABC, taken Feb. 7, 2012, by Alain V. - I don't know her - she was just taking random photos the day after the earthquake and a friend spotted these on her FB wall - copied without permission; hope she understands.....)

2 questions I'm getting asked a lot are: How is your family in the Philippines? and How can we help them? It encourages me greatly to know how much people care. Thank You Lord. Dad is still in the long and slow process of setting up the church to have a non-profit tax status. In the meanwhile, since food, water and supplies are an ongoing need - and readily available for purchase - money is their immediate request and would be of most help at this time.

A week and a day after the big quake - there are still several families who are sleeping in makeshift tents on the property at Lolali. Dad and the elders are visiting each home to assess damages and evaluate what needs to be done. So in the meantime, Lolali has been a base from which families have come to get food and water and sleep.

(tent cities set up in the mountains - families are still living in the tents because they have no money to rebuild their homes.....photos by E. Martinez, used without permission)

As for donations, my folks have a personal account set up in a Dumaguete bank (about 2 hours drive south) - which I have access to deposit money from the States and Dad will be able to withdraw in the form of cash. If anyone would like to send them money now - any amount will help - you can mail a check - made out to me or Eulogio Dayday as either one will be deposited in our joint account - to my home. If you do not know my address please email me at: abcministry@yahoo.com

While it's been amazing to hear my parents recount the generosity of the other churches on the island who were not affected by the earthquake, and many donations from businesses and individuals - I have also been disheartened over news of mis-use of relief supplies and of people in need who are being ignored and overlooked. Sadly the relief organizations that we as a family give regularly to - do not have anything set up to help the people of Negros. My heart breaks for those who are not part of a church home or who do not have family members with resources to help - I pray that God reaches them in their darkest hour of feeling lonely and neglected. My first instinct is to hop on a plane and help with the relief efforts, but since that is not possible at this point, I would love to raise awareness and send help in the form of finances.

And as much as we want to help every suffering heart, I think the best way we can help is through my parents and the Body at ABC. There are over 20 families who are regular members, while there are many more who are turning to them in desperation. I trust my dad, the pastor and elders of ABC to use the donated funds to buy needed supplies and materials to distribute to the families who need it the most.

Fund-raising ideas and plans for the long-term rebuilding efforts are also in process - may God bless each hurting soul and guide each person with a heart to help and be used to further His kingdom on that little island.

February 6, 2012

(AP photo)

On February 6, 2012, at around noon (9 pm Sun. 2/5 RMT) - a strong 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook the island of Negros in the Central Visayas, Philippines.

The epicenter was located in the town of Tayasan, which is next to my parent's hometown of Ayungon, Negros Oriental. Most of the deaths and devastation happened near there, in the towns of Guihualgan and LaLibertad. But Ayungon was terribly hit nonetheless.

By the time I had heard about it (it was Monday morning here) - I immediately tried to call mom and dad - couldn't get through after countless attempts, so I turned on the TV and scoured the internet in hopes of getting any news.

Much to my dismay, since it happened on a remote island consisting of small towns and rural areas, it did not get a lot of news coverage here in the States. Here is a sample of what little TV news coverage we saw. And here is a page from the Denver Post website - with photos of some of the damage.

I'm thankful for Facebook, as that was my main source of info last week. Many of my relatives are on there, and some of them posted even while the "linog" (earthquake) was happening. I hope to be able to post some of their pictures on this page.

That first day was spent mostly talking with my Stateside relatives - trying to gather as much info from them as they were able to talk briefly with their loved ones who also live in Ayungon. By the time Monday night rolled around, I had talked with everyone except my parents, but I knew they were ok. My sister called later that evening, saying that she was able to get a hold of them and confirmed they were shaken but all right.

Earlier that morning at our Moms in Prayer time (a group of moms from our school who pray for our kids and the school) - we prayed for all those affected by the earthquake, and God faithfully and lovingly poured His peace in my heart, and I knew that mom and dad were all right.

I joined a Facebook group and kept a vigilant watch over my relatives' pages while continually trying to get through on their cell phone. I finally got to talk with them 2 days later. It was a relief to hear their voices. I will re-tell their side of the story in another post.