PHILIPPINE 2021 TYPHOON DEC 2021

Updates on Typhoon Relief and Construction

Last December 16, 2021, the Philippines was hit by the Super Typhoon Rai, locally known as Odette. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified Odette a “Category 5 Super Typhoon” with 1-minute winds of 265-300 kilometers per hour. It is the first “Category 5 Super Typhoon” for December since the Nina (Nock-ten) last 2016. The most affected areas were the Visayan Islands. Limasawa Island which is located south of Leyte was reported to have 90 percent of homes destroyed with no water, food, shelter and communication lines. Many families also lost numerous loved ones (one family lost all seven children including both in-laws) during the typhoon. Mindanao, specifically Cagayan de Oro, suffered from heavy rainfall and flooding. The water surpassed the dams, washing away many houses along the river.

Pastor Daniel Cadavos, together with some members of the youth group, visited Pastor Vincent Torre of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Cagayan de Oro last December 19, 2021. Two families of his church members lost their homes because of the flood. The group visited the site where the homes were before, and indeed nothing was left. Then after a week of prayer and preparation, Pastor Cadavos, together with 5 men who are equipped with carpentry and chainsaw operating skills, and other church members returned to Cagayan de Oro last December 28, 2021. Financial assistance for the construction was sent the day before the team went to Cagayan. Upon arrival, the construction team immediately started the lay outing and building of the first house, whilst the church members distributed food packs and gospel tracts. Two souls professed to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.

As of December 29, 2021, the $2,000 amount provided by Operation Renewed Hope was consumed. Five pastors were given financial assistance of $500 which was donated by church and school individuals for roofing. 50 food packs were also distributed. Another 1,000 food packs which were donated by church members, school parents, businessmen, and loving people of Bukidnon will be distributed to different locations.

The future plan is to go to Limasawa Island, which is 198 kilometers away from Malaybalay City, on January 4 or January 5. The target on arrival is clearing out the area, reconstructing and gathering at night for evangelism. In addition, pastors from five different churches will be gathered for edification and prayer. For the trip, we need additional food, water, fuel, construction materials, financial assistance for traveling expenses and payment for manpower. Furthermore, the church seeks to also send help to rebuild Bohol, Limasawa, and Dinagat Islands which sustained severe devastation and provide water to Agusan Sur, Cabadbaran, and Cabacan who are in dire need of water.