This morning (now five days ago that it took for me to post this…), we attended a local church; if you’ve churched in a different culture, you can probably relate that this is always an interesting experience. Interesting and often encouraging, today was definitely both.
The building of the church is an older, two story concrete building with typical tin roof cladding and beams but no walls for an open air concept. I didn’t take any pictures, but will hopefully can get a few from someone on team later. During the storm, many from the community took refuge in the building. While many of the newer buildings around suffered extensive damage, such as a number of much newer and fancier government buildings, this two decade old church building thankfully fared much better, with relatively limited damage to the structure.
As a congregation, the church lost five children and two adults in the storm who were elsewhere during the storm so this is very much a hurting and grieving congregation. But amidst the pain remains a great hope, positive attitude, and renewed faith. And of course, several inspiring stories.
We came to know about this church through a couple whose husband is the pastor, and the wife is a doctor at the nearby hospital where our SP medical team has been based. This family’s house was right next to the church building and was basically destroyed during the storm. The overall death and destruction that swept through these communities is well documented and this couple had every reason, and the resources, to escape to safer areas. Instead, they sent their two children to Manila to stay with family, while they chose to remain behind, living in a tent in the church for the many weeks following, in order to care for the physical and spiritual needs of their hurting community. One of team doctor’s was telling us how difficult the immediate days following the typhoon must have been. With most of the hospital staff taking care of their own families and dealing with their own tragedies, and international help yet to arrive during the most critical few days, the undermanned hospital staff who remained to work, such as this doctor, operated around the clock to treat the countless casualties. Courage. Strength. Compassion. Sacrifice. I wonder if I’ll be asked to give up what this couple has, and if I’d be willing to stay like they so willingly did.
The pastor invited a man on crutches up to share during the worship service. He only spoke the local Waray language so we had to catch the story afterwards. He and his pregnant wife and 5 children were hiding in their home during the storm when one of the walls began to fail. The man managed to hold up the wall from collapsing on his family until they could escape from the house. However, he wasn’t able to escape himself and was crushed by the falling wall. It wasn’t until several hours later that others heard his cries and were able to free him, and then it wasn’t until five days later that he was able to see medical attention for his crushed leg. Unfortunately, by then, the only option was to amputate a part of his leg. However, his comments are only of his thankfulness for the safety of his family, which is now eight as his wife has since given birth to their sixth child.
I’m just thankful to be able to have been able to hear his and the pastor and doctor’s stories. Hopefully you’ll be likewise inspired and encouraged by them as I have been.
Still don't have photos of the church so here's a couple photos from one of the larger kit distributions with my WASH Hygiene team. LOTS of learning on the fly on this one as we worked through day three of heavy rainfall, a half impermeable roof, 750 early arrivals, my truck driver getting lost en route, and a truck breaking down...
