Hurricanes in Central America, Cyclones in Myanmar, Typhoons in the Philippines
Being a science teacher by training, I know they all mean the same thing: bad news! The name changes depending on where the low pressure system is located, but the result is often the same: poor people living in inadequate housing, or along vulnerable coasts or hillsides, experience much devastation from winds and flash flooding.
The typhoon that struck the Philippines last weekend was unexpectedly intense, and travelled erratically. Because the Philippines is composed of 7000 islands, many people make their living by fishing, or travel by ferry. One ferry sank with 700 people on board. Several people were killed in Cotobato, where I had just visited last month. Our house withstood the winds well, but many of our friends had water inside as well as out!
My mother wrote “I’d rather not know when you are travelling by ferry until after you get back!”. Usin
g a ferry to get to Camiguin Island earlier this month, we visited Brian and Laureen Powell, the only expat missionaries there. Their vision is to unite the small, scattered evangelical congregations (averaging about 20 members) into a fellowship that will reach out to the island’s unreached people groups; Pray for them along with their two daughters. (Ruth pictured here)
We travel again by ferry this Saturday to the island of Mindoro, accompanying our newest missionaries, Herbert and Ursula Doering, from Switzerland, to their new assignment. One of our roles is to assist in the initial orientation of our new missionaries. Another couple, Michael and Anke Malessa, with their three young children, returned last week from their home assignment in Germany and we had a good visit with them last night. Michael is an OT scholar although he does not have too many classes for his Ugaritic and Akadian at this point! Later tonight, we will welcome back Jen Chrystman, from Canada, for another year of teaching at Faith Academy. With 2/3 of our field traveling during these summer months, we value your prayers for their safety and our ability to keep up with every
one!
Peema, a younger missionary we supervise has recently begun working on a team with Jenny, in a nearby M area. The school of 40+ youth, created to reach out to the community, is desperately in need of repairs. With a little plywood, cement, paint and nails, I expect that the team will transform the place. If anyone is interested in this small plan, let us know.
