One of the main reasons I felt called to serve people in other countries is because we have been so blessed in the U.S. and often seem to take things for granted, not realizing how good we actually have it. Basic resources such as education, infrastructure, religious freedom, shelter, clean water, and healthcare are all things that so many others in the world will never experience or have access to. While I still believe we “have it good,” the Philippines adjusted my perspective on this very early on during the first very week of our trip. The people there showed me that even if you have very little in comparison to what the world values, you can actually be the ones who “have it good.” This is because their faith and the Holy Spirit that they are filled with.
Our first month we served in Tacloban, a southern part of the Philippines. They are one of the top three disaster-prone countries in the world and five years ago, on November 8, 2013 one of the most powerful super Typhoons of all time struck the area. Typhoon Yolanda took thousands of lives including whole entire families as they referred to using the term “wholesale”. It was a category five typhoon with three wave surges over 15 feet high and wind speeds greater than 195 mph. The devastation and rebuilding is still very much a part of the everyday life in Tacloban, even five years later.
The majority of Filipinos live at or below poverty level which was evident throughout the communities we went to and the housing conditions we saw. Typhoon Yolanda did not help this as it contributed to the destruction of 33 million coconut trees, a major source of revenue and income for the people of on the island of Leyte. Most of the houses we saw in Tacloban were made of sheet metal and did not have firm foundations of brick or cement. Meals were not a solid resource either as many people relied on “feedings” at schools and throughout the communities. Kids International Ministries-KIM which is based in Manila, with a branch in Tacloban called “The Lighthouse” where we stayed, helps provide these feedings called “Lugaw”. This was our main ministry for the month as we served as a source of food and nutrition to those in need throughout the community. When relief efforts first poured in after Typhoon Yolanda, KIM provided “orphan grain” to over 200 churches in various villages accounting for 15,000 meals a day. This was second solely behind the U.S. Government which provided 20,000 meals a day to the area. A few years after Yolanda, relief efforts drastically slowed down and now The Lighthouse is only able to support a couple of other churches in and around Tacloban. One morning we had the opportunity to drive four hours to deliver boxes of food to Pastor Jun. He was incredibly grateful to still have the support of feedings for their area and shared with us about his basketball ministry where young adult men play in tournaments and attend Bible studies.
Despite challenging circumstances, the people we met were all so incredibly joyful, welcoming, and hospitable. They were a true reflection of what it means to give generously, devoting their lives to helping one another. “For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part” 2 Corinthians 8:2. After Typhoon Yolanda, many Filipinos gave everything they could to help their neighbors in need. Even if that meant moving from Manila to Tacloban, they still sacrificed the comforts of their own homes and uprooted their entire families to give and share gifts that God had given them. The word of God says “there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land” Deuteronomy 15:11. May we all be inspired by people like Papa Sel, Mama J, Kim, Nixon, Kurt, Nadiene, Beryl, Chris and Christine, Sara, Aira, Rina, and others who live this out. Thank you for the example you set!
People of the Philippines, we will forever keep you in our hearts and prayers as you showed us that the true source of joy comes not from worldly riches or wealth, but hope in Jesus Christ. Whether we met at a Women’s Bible study, Student Bible study, at the Women’s prison, or a feeding in the community, know that we are grateful to have met you and will always embrace the impact you had on us. Whatever your circumstances, past and or present, your hope in the Lord is something that I pray our society and communities in the U.S. will strive to exemplify. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13.
