One year and one week ago, on November 8, 2013, Typhoon Yolanda made landfall in Tacloban, the Philippines. It was the most destructive typhoon in recorded history. Over 5,000 people were pronounced dead, and to this day over 1,700 are still considered missing. People fought for their lives as waters rose above their homes and overpowering winds destroyed nearly everything on higher ground. Almost every survivor of the storm lost people close to them. Some survivors lost their entire family. Tacloban and the surrounding areas were filled with pain, questions, and deep, deep wounds.
One year ago, I sat in class, in my senior year of high school, in International Relations class. I remember doing a current event on Typhoon Yolanda. I wrote about how many people died, how many were missing, how fast the winds were, and what countries were sending aid. I was so detached from it all, and ashamedly I admit that I really didn’t care that much. Then, I came to Tacloban. I met survivors. I heard their stories. I saw their pain. I saw places that still have not been cleared or cleaned after the storm. Everything changed in my heart, and it became so personal.
The ministry we are working with, known as “The Lighthouse,” is made to be a light in the darkness. It is a place of healing and restoration from all the scars left by Yolanda. Last week, on the one-year anniversary of the storm, we did a special outreach project with the surrounding community. We wanted to be sensitive to the need for mourning but still try to bring about joy and healing on such a significant day.
On the morning of the 8th, everyone at the Lighthouse woke up for a sunrise worship service. We praised our God as the sunrise ushered in a beautiful day. For the rest of the morning, we spent time in prayer and visited gravesites of Yolanda’s victims.
Beginning in the afternoon, we had a huge event where we welcomed many members of our community to join us for fun activities and fellowship. We provided ice cream for everyone. Kids played with chalk and bubbles. We also had an area where kids could receive balloon animals. As things really started to get going, I saw that the balloon area was very crowded, with only one person making the balloons. So, I quickly went over and learned how to make them so I could help. I am now proud to say that I know how to make a dog, and giraffe, and a sword, all with decent speed.
We also unveiled the “Typhoon Yolanda Wall of Remembrance.” A number of my squadmates worked together to paint this in the days leading up to the 8th. We unveiled the mural, and we invited the people to add their handprints and anything they wanted to write. Unfortunately, the internet I’m using now is too slow to upload pictures. Hopefully pretty soon I will be able to soon.
After a few hours of activities, we had a worship service, and a pastor from the states shared the gospel message.
To end the night, we released dozens of sky lanterns, ate dinner, and watched fireworks. We served food to over 1,100 people!
November 8, 2013 was a day of death, fear, and loss. November 8, 2014 was a day of fellowship, joy, new beginnings and new life.
Now hundreds of people see the Lighthouse as a place they are welcome; a place for growth life, and joy. My prayer is that for years to come, people will feel safe and welcomed here. I hope and pray that everything we did on the 8th of November, 2014 will remain in the hearts of these people for many, many years.
p.s. I PROMISE as soon as I get a better internet connection, I will post pictures! I’m sorry I can’t so far. You can look on my facebook page and see some pictures of what’s going on here!
