November 08, 2013 was the remarkable day and this is also the day when the strongest typhoon recorded in the history, super typhoon Yolanda which is known as the international name Haiyan left unimaginable devastation especially in the province of Samar and Leyte in Eastern part of the Philippine islands where more than 10,000 people died.
As our country was ravaged with a series of calamities and disasters, I found myself handling simultaneous relief operations in various provinces, as there was marked increase in the call for disaster management assistance.
Nevertheless, we are grateful that God complemented this predicament by raising people who took the challenge of bringing God's love closer to people in the language they can fully comprehend and appreciate which is the language of love and sustainable care translated to relief goods, rebuilding efforts and rehabilitation of the affected areas.
The typhoon left many people homeless, traumatized, hungry and with no livelihood.
Trees were uprooted, business establishments were destroyed, houses were left with no roofs, electricity and communication lines were down, and the airport tower was damaged leaving hundreds of people stranded.
Thousands of family relief packs were prepared by close to a hundred volunteers in a tow-day packing sessions at the main headquarters in Metro Manila.
This is to provide a systematic flood-related calamity management action in order to alleviate the poor conditions of our Filipino fellowmen who became victims of these natural disasters.
Typhoon Yolanda provided an opportunity for the people to experience God's protection, and provided an avenue for Christians to be a testimony.
As the roof was blown away, they continue to hold on to the walls, praying and worshipping God.
And soon, the winds started to die down.
Their lives spared.
We may not be able to help everyone in need but certainly we can help many.
Rice, drinking water, biscuits, soaps, noodles and canned goods were among the goods purchased and repacked using the monetary donations.
Among the countless stories of God's faithfulness and mercy amidst this tragedy, according to the book of Psalms 100:5 in the New International Version of Holy bible said "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
" Just beyond the cool sands of one of the best beaches in the world, are stories of loss, hope, and love.
There lives people who turned to God in the time of tragedy and found salvation.