Typhoon Update

Manaoag, Pangasinan

Philippines

8 October 2009

Typhoon update – of the two “new” predicted Typhoons to make land on the Philippines, only one, Parma, has actually come ashore as forecast. It crossed land on the northern tip of Luzon and created flooding in that area. Parma, a super typhoon looked like it was going away once it left Luzon but then it stalled and has been back on shore twice since. In fact we have had rain at our house for the past 24 hours from Parma’s last pass. We have had no flooding here but we are sure there will be some north of us.

The welfare department in the area office informed us that their team is still helping members who have been displaced from the severe storm named Ondoy. The paper reported today that 37 Barangay (or townships) in Manila still have standing water so people cannot return to their homes. It will be two weeks on Saturday.

We have had no update from the storm damage from the north except from news reports which do not tell us about our members. The welfare department team in the area office is still engaged in Manila so they plan to organize another team from the north to help members in that area recover from this storm.

During this last week we found a couple of non-stormy days and made a trip to Manaoag, Pangasinan to evaluate a request for a wheelchair for an elderly member. The need was real and we assisted the sister in securing the proper certification from the Barangay captain for her husband who is bedridden. The paperwork was presented to the Humanitarian Missionaries at the area office and they gave us a wheelchair for the member.

On Monday we drove back to Manaoag and delivered the wheelchair to the family. (See above picture). What a spirit of thanksgiving was in the home and it was our privilege to represent the Humanitarian department of the church in the presentation. The needy family was there with their extended family members as well as the home teachers and all were grateful that the request had been granted so quickly. As poor as they are they had prepared a celebratory meal for all.

One observation – a little nipa hut in the front yard of the family had a thatched roof on our first visit but on the second it was gone. We inquired as to the reason and they told us that another family needed to replace their bad roof before the storm came so they gave their roof to them. The Filipino people will share what they have if there is a need and they can assist.

Elder NB & Sister MB