Philippines (MNN) — Families are picking up the pieces of their lives after Typhoon Kalmaegi ripped through the central region of the nation this week.
As of Thursday, at least 114 people have lost their lives and more than 120 are missing, many from the central province of Cebu. Most deaths were due to flooding.
Herman Moldez with A3 says those numbers will change. “There are still many areas where we don’t have power, and communication is poor because [the] internet is down.”
The storm is just one more layer of disaster for the people of Cebu. A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the tourist hotspot September 30, killing dozens and displacing tens of thousands. Typhoon Kalmaegi is the 20th named storm to impact the archipelago nation this year. What’s more, another storm system is on the way, called Fung-Wong.
But even as people suffer disaster upon disaster in a broken world, God is at work for good.
“Normally, in our country, this proves to be awakening,” says Moldez. “In the midst of disaster, people cry to God. They realize that there’s no one who could help but God.”
(Image courtesy of A3)
People in the Philippines have learned that help doesn’t always come when it should. A corruption scandal broke earlier this year involving perhaps billions of dollars stolen from national projects meant to control floods. Moldez says the presence of corruption can make international aid groups hesitate to send help. But aid is exactly what is needed right now.
A3 is connected with a network of local pastors and churches. Pray that churches will be able to respond to Kalmaegi’s devastation with gospel hope and practical help. Ask God to give endurance to local believers facing so much loss and need.
“Prayers are very important, because they strengthen the inner resource of people to become resilient, and not to give up — just to persevere in this situation,” says Moldez.
Header photo: Women and children in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Zeyn Afuang via Unsplash.)
