DISASTER UPDATE - Typhoon - Philippines - November 2013

VIA EMAIL 03 December 2013:

Shalom!

I’m updated of the happenings in the Philippines especially in the assembly by my son Edward. Typhoon Haiyan left more than 5,500 people confirmed dead and four million had their homes destroyed or damaged. One million fisherman and farmers lost their livelihoods. The National Disaster and Management Council fear that more bodies will be found as clearing operations continue.

My relatives that were affected by this typhoon were moved to Manila. Their properties were damaged but praise Yahweh their lives were spared. I’ve learned that YAIY brethren are safe though they experienced damages in their properties. Indeed, the name of Yahweh is a strong tower in times of trouble.

Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines last November 8, was one of the strongest ever recorded and generated giant storm surges that laid waste to dozens of coastal settlements and vast swathes of farmland throughout central Philippine islands.

The typhoon was indeed devastating and the only consolation was that a lot of Filipinos did all they could for those who survived. From the kids who donated their piggy banks to the companies that cancelled their christmas parties, many forgot about little quarrels and disagreements and remembered their here for the same purpose, to help each other out.

Thank you so much for your prayers and concern for the Filipino people and the brethren.

May Almighty Yahweh continue to bless and keep you and family, and the beloved brethren.

Agape in Yahshua,

Eddie

VIA EMAIL 12 November 2013:

Shalom! The typhoon Yolanda was indeed so devastating that the areas hit are beyond recognition. It was the deadliest disaster in Philippine history that left more than 10,000 who were feared dead. My heart melted when I saw the devastation and the condition of the victims of this super typhoon. Though brethren from Mindanao and Luzon regions were hardly affected, I have relatives living in Tacloban and I just learned and am very thankful that even though their properties were damaged but their lives were spared. I've been trying to contact Elder Vidal who was in Colon, Palawan during the typhoon and this area was also hit but I cannot contact him because all communications are down in that area. We're praying they are kept safe by Almighty Yahweh.

Thank you for your prayers and concern for the brethren and the Filipino people. We indeed live in difficult times, and the Bible has so much to say about these times. But losses and tragedies have a way of putting everything into perspective. It is during this time that our values are clarified and it help us to figure out priorities and make us realize what matters most.

May Almighty Yahweh continue to bless, keep and guide us in times of trouble.

In Yahshua, Eddie