Respond to Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines 2013

On Fri., Nov. 15, along with other United Methodist clergy friends and colleagues, I met with Filipino Bishop Cerrie Francisco and his wife Restetita, who happened to be in the U.S. for a meeting of the United Methodist Council of Bishops when Typhoon Haiyan ripped across their country last week. 
 
Bp. Francisco is the leader of the Davao Area in the south, which was the hardest hit region and includes many islands and remote areas.  Some 800,000 people have been displaced.  Six United Methodist churches in his area were damaged by the storm. 
 
I asked the bishop to describe the people of the Davao Area.  He said that many are very poor and that fishing and farming (rice and corn) are the chief means of self-support.  The typhoon has destroyed homes and food supplies.  My colleague Rev. Rolland Hayag told how his wife's parents lost their home to the storm.  They are safe and now living with relatives....four families under one roof!

Ms. Francisco described dedicated pastors who in normal conditions travel great distances to reach people in remote areas.  "There are two seasons in the Philippines," she said. "Hot and Hotter." She told of one pastor who wears one dress for travel, then has to change into another dress when she is on location with the people.  Many pastors serve poor communities who often cannot even pay the full salary: $40 per month.  The devastation of the storm makes it even more difficult for the pastors to receive financial support from the people they are serving.  But these communities need the spiritual encouragement of the church now more than ever.     

In our meeting, we emphasized the importance of supporting our United Methodist presence.  The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the champion agency of our church which is already in the Philippines and has been distributing emergency food, water, and water purification tablets in Tacloban City, Leyte Province in Bp. Francisco's Area.   

Our gifts to UMCOR can do a lot more good than we suppose.  I have already made a donation online through UMCOR, and I would urge you to do the same.  Here's the link to give to UMCOR's relief and recovery work in the Philippines.       

In addition, my friends and colleagues discussed with Bp. Francisco the possibility of forming long-term covenant partnerships with churches in the Philippines, where there is over 100 years of United Methodist heritage.  Imagine the blessings to Trinity Wilmette that could be possible through such a partnership. 

Most importantly, I would encourage you to hold the people of the Philippines in your prayers.  There are many faithful Filipino Americans in the congregations throughout Northern Illinois Conference, including Trinity Church.  We are not praying for strangers, but for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

 

A Prayer for the Philippines

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

you calm the storms and bid us not to be afraid.

Send your power and grace upon your church in the Philippines,

especially those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Bless rescue and relief workers as they reach out to those who are suffering.

Stir up in us your compassion for our brothers and sisters,

and turn our love into generous action;

even as we pray in the hope of your strong and saving name. Amen.