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.