Tindog Tacloban

So I'm no good at this blogging business. That's obvious. What is not obvious is that I would like to be better and therefore have put it on my 'to-do' list yet again...it ranks below "watch the voice," but above, "make dinner." So let's see how this pans out for everyone. Blog update, but no dinner for the husband? We shall see. . .

This past year has been pretty amazing. I ended my blogging updates with our experience, or part of, our experience in Tacloban helping after Typhoon Yolanda destroyed our beloved home across the world. At that time I was working at the MTC and sent those kiddos (missionaries) to Tacloban promising them joyful experiences that would change them forever. I never anticipated that something this big and disastrous could happen. But, those kids grew up quite a bit. I am so proud of them. Today most of them have now come home honorably after surviving not only the worst typhoon to ever hit land, but also helping in the aftermath of it all and always still representing our Savior, Jesus Christ. There were a couple missionaries in particular that I was very worried about, but they too, found strength in Christ and completed their whole missions. So many miracles have happened.

Back tracking a little:

We stayed in Ormoc for a couple days but traveled to the surrounding affected areas. We helped the church assess needs and set up a medical clinic in Dagami. So much joy being able to be with the people I knew and loved. Us volunteers slept on the floor in the chapel/cultural hall on our mats. Jared and I gave our little tent to Taylor because she was getting eaten alive by bugs every night. Other details, unfortunately have been forgotten as it's been almost 1 whole year! But, I cannot forget the all encompassing feeling of, "this is where we are supposed to be." "we are home."

Jared and the men cleared roads with chainsaws. I helped in the medical clinic. I dressed some wounds as well as interpreting the Waraywaray/Cebuano to the docs. I loved being with the docs Tim and Nate as they did mini surgeries as well as helping them figure out what to diagnose and watch them dress serious wounds.

We found Mildred and her boys safe and sound I believe on the first Sunday when we headed to Tacloban. She lived in a smaller house attached to large home where she cooked and cleaned ,etc. This home was right on the ocean. There are no words to describe what it was like seeing her again. None.

Mildred told us how absolutely terrifying the storm was. Water rising, the wind crashing and whipping everything, glass shattered, the glass pelting their skin, her boy MJ swimming trying to help little children get to safety, witnessing people drowning and not being able to do one thing to save them...bodies everywhere. The smell of death overwhelming. No food. No water. And she was one of the lucky ones that had connections to resources. But there weren't any resources.

It's beyond terrifying what they went through. But they are more than okay now. The church has helped Mildred build her own home and she also has a toilet thanks to some very loving people I get to be related to. So. Many. Blessings.

Over the summer the non-profit group HELP-International (the same non-profit I loved and traveled to fiji and africa with) was led by two of my friends I served with as missionaries in Tacloban, Steve Anderson and Chris Gallagher, and they needed a cook. I recommended Mildred and she was able to cook for the group of volunteers all summer which helped get her some income as well.

Basically, the typhoon was horrible and the destruction was devastating with years of lasting consequences. But, being there to literally help, and so soon after the storm, was not only miraculous but such a tender mercy for me and Jared and for the people we love. God is so good.

Now almost a year later many people I personally know have returned to Tacloban to offer love, support, friendship, as well as supplies, programs, and monetary support to help Tacloban rise again. It is wonderful to see and it is amazing to see the missionaries back there. They starting returning three months after the storm.

I am so grateful we were able to go back and help. We were protected each day as we were able to be helping hands to our brothers and sisters there. I remember one night in particular hearing gun shots, rumors of people lurking around and not knowing if they were escaped prisoners or NPA rebels. The men were on guard all night surrounding the church. The members staying in the church were so scared and neighbors came running to the church as a type of sanctuary when they heard the sounding alarm (banging on a tin roof) of danger in their community. It was a little chaotic and I remember being so worried that we might have brought more danger to these people being American...I found a corner with two other volunteers and offered a prayer pleading for safety and protection that night, for clarity as to what to do, and to help the people remain calm and lock the doors (they were not locking the church doors b/c they didn't want to lock the men standing guard out...). After I prayed I went back to the panicked people and got the front doors locked and the men had a good system in place with just one exit/entrance available if needed. The men stood guard all night and a few hours later there were more gunshots and more chaos, but it never reached us at the church. We were safe and remained safe for the rest of our journey.

Well, our love for the Philippines continues today. So grateful for the many, many experiences Jared and I both have had there together and a part. We ended our trip eating dinner in Manila with our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Malit. Such a wonderful time with them.

Well, hopefully we will be back to the Philippines in the next few years to visit our dear friends there and witness the progress that has been made. gugma, tori and jared