Dr. Paul Maxfield spoke by phone today from Bogota, Colombia, with Dr. Ofelia Viray, director of Grace Family Helper Project in the Philippines. Dr. Viray reported that the $34,000 sent by Children of Promise and Church of God Ministries has arrived.
Grace Family Helper Project staff and volunteers are distributing food (rice, canned meat, etc.), medicines, mats for sleeping, kitchen items, blankets, and clothes to the sponsored children and their families in a concentrated relief effort. Relief is being distributed to each family in need from vehicles used to transport the goods to the areas where the project operates.
Internet access has been unavailable in the Philippines for the last several days. Dr. Viray says, "We have been trying to send a report, but we haven't had connectivity. We hope to be able to send a written update and photos in the next few days once Internet access is restored."
Water still stands in several areas where Children of Promise sponsored children live: Nueva Ecija (PHNE), Laguna (PHSC), and Balucan (PHBG). The homes in these areas are flooded also.
Dr. Viray also reported that a number of Church of God churches have been severely damaged. Rev. Eddie Viray, national leader of the Church of God, is traveling throughout the country assessing the damage to churches.
"We are so deeply grateful for the assistance of Children of Promise, Church of God Ministries in this disaster. Our people are in such great need. Words cannot express our feelings of appreciation for both the relief help and your prayers and support,” shares Dr. Viray.
Special Note: News reports today warn that a third storm known as Typhoon Lupit (a Filipino word for cruel) is heading for the northeast coasts of the main island of the Philippines. Government officials, still utilizing the US Navy, have issued evacuation orders for communities in the area and delivered food, water and other necessities to evacuation centers in the north by helicopter. Typhoon Lupit is expected to make landfall by Thursday, Oct. 22, with the island experiencing the early affects on Wednesday.