Typhoon Yolanda

Typhoon Yolanda had very little effect on Manila, but major damage in the islands about 300 to 400 miles south of Manila.  Relief efforts are on-going here in Manila by many different groups.  The church members in Manila have been part of those efforts.  Below are pictures of the food bags and hygiene kits that have been assembled at a church building in Quezon City:



Assembly line for loading

At our meetings on Wednesday Elder Pajaro, an Area Seventy, told us about what has been happening with locating all of the missionaries in the typhoon damaged areas. We heard some stories this morning about how the missionaries (the 22 missing ones) were located and were able to get on flights back to Manila. A priesthood leader who had been helping care for 3,000 members who were taking refuge in a church building went out and located the missionaries. He did this after losing his home and all of his possessions. The missionaries were able to get to the airport in Tacloban by walking more than 30 kilometers. Even though they had electronic tickets they were not able to get on their flights in all the confusion. A US marine saw the missionaries at the airport and asked how he could help. He was a member, Brother Clark. He was able to get them on flights to Manila. He later told the leaders there that he was wondering why he was here, but he knew after he was able to help the missionaries.



Assembly Line down the stairs

There are 400 missionaries who have been evacuated from the storm damaged mission areas to the Mission Training Center here in Metro Manila. You have probably seen pictures of the devastation. We have heard several more stories about the survival of missionaries during the storm. Two missionaries were in their apartment and tied their mattresses together to cover themselves because they were worried about the winds. Water started coming into their apartment. A little later the ceiling in their kitchen fell down.

They decided to get under the dining table because they wanted to be safer. Under the table they were praying and the water kept rising. It was up to their chests. After their prayers they noticed that a picture of Christ on the wall fell down. It floated over to them. They took this as a sign that they were being watched over and everything would be alright. They spent about 2 hours under the table.

Two other Elders were in their apartment. They also had water coming into their house. It kept rising and they thought that maybe they should get out. When they tried to get out of the door they found they could not get out because of a metal gate covering their door and because of the water pressing against it. Now they had to figure out how to get higher out of the water. They broke through the ceiling and climbed into the rafters. The water kept rising. They eventually broke a hole through the roof and got out on the roof. They stayed up on the roof for 3 hours until the water started going down.

 

 

Relief Supplies

 

It is wonderful to see all of the people who are coming together to help their devastated countrymen.  The missionaries who were in the heaviest storm damaged areas are now being reassigned to other areas here in the Philippines.  Others are helping with relief efforts in their areas of assignment.





We really appreciate the opportunity we have of being here to serve and witness this great out-pouring of love.