CoolJournalMe: 07/19/14

TYPHOON HAIYAN commonly known as TYPHOON YOLANDA

4:00 A.M . I woke up because of the wind outside our window , i can hear the wind's whistle . I slept back since it was too early to wake up. We waited in bed until 6:30 A.M . Me and my companion decided to do the daily Exercise . Sister Laureano open the door and I ask her why is she opening the door since it is really windy! she just said i just like seeing the trees dancing and it is our first time to experience this kind of typhoon. After 30 minutes we started to hear the wind blowing so hard . The water is rising up and came in into our apartment . Both of us started to go to second floor took shirts and pants for extra's . We converse on how we could go to the mission office to be more safe . We thought everything was okay. We bravely come out from our terrace and check out our neighbors but we saw how this typhoon damage the whole city. At the side of our apartment there is a family who were trying to get out of their house, It was the time when me and my companion were very worried . They were trying to save their lives. it was hard for them to find refuge since the next house has a barb wires walls . We tried to wrap our extra foods and gave it to them. We even tie it using our bed sheets but to no avail since the wind is so strong. While waiting for the wind we knew that some parts of our roof are already torn off. Since we already saw water coming in through our Ceiling , can even see it shaking due to the strong wind. We decided to kneel down and Pray many many times . We ask the Lord to protect us and other missionaries and the people . We prayed that he will protect and keep the strong foundation of our apartment since we can feel that it is shaking. After that prayer we never felt our apartment was shaking , we knew the Lord have his Hands protecting us. We sang songs like "Master the Tempest is Raging" "Come, come Ye Saint's" . While singing this songs we were comforted. We then prayed again and ask for his Guidance on what we will do. After that prayer we decided to check the door if we can get through and go to the mission home .Sister Laureano volunteered to go to the door and open it. She kick the door! there we saw two Single Adult men who were looking for us and help us get to the mission home. Answered prayer indeed. We reach the mission home safe and sound.
Sister Missionaries came by the help of the Elder's and President Andaya. All of us were very tired and was still in instilling process on what will happen to tacloban next. What will happen to us? What will happen to the people . The night came . It seems like a dead city , you can only hear dogs barking who were left by the owners, no electricity , no water. Silence was there. We slept at the wet bed and some sisters slept at the couch sitting. It was a day of us still wondering what will happen next. But yet each of us Stayed strong for that day, Tired but yet we have it in our minds that we were there because He know's we can do it .

Our Mission Office and Mission Van's

Took by Elder Daffon - Mission Home a few meter's away is our apartment

We reach the Mission Home!

Our Apartment

The Mission Home's look after Yolanda

Strength and Miracle have been Given by The Lord

6:30 am . We were just at the mission home. President Andaya and office Elders Parson , Nath and Elder Johnson was not here. They were busy going to to city hall back and forth to communicate the Area. When they got back they gather us and President Andaya explained what was going through and ask us if it is okey we missionaries can help packing the goods. Indeed we all said yes and willing to walk for 1 hour to the city hall to help . All that we have in mind at that time was We Are "CALLED TO SERVE" . We reach the City Hall and was instructed to pack the goods. We finish it @ 5:00 p.m together with the second batch of goods that came . As we walk home we were gathered by President Andaya and gave us further instructions . While we were walking back home we usually sing a song to entertain ourselves. We can see people sitting looking at their loved ones who are lined up and is dead. I remember taking only biscuit and water for that day but indeed as we go through we can see the hands of the Lord providing us the strength to do his work and help others do the Lord's work in Tacloban. It was once in a lifetime experience that I am blessed and had help me to more mature enough to do the Work. This work is true. Our faith , Trust and Patience was tested.

Ms. Jinky Soliman (DSWD Secretary )

Sister Malietoa and Me!

SMILE!

A Long walk.... :D

Distributing Goods - 3rd Day

We waited and wake up @ 6:30 am and did our sacrament meeting , we started partaking the sacrament by biscuits and mineral water using a big cup , we just sip it and ended the sacrament meeting we then went to the city hall , walk from Mission home to city hall for approximately one hour . Then we waited there for instructions and we saw some people arguing because they were asking when to give the goods , You can definitely feel that they are hungry already. 12:00 nn we were ask to serve by distributing goods since we can be recognize because we wore yellow vest .The Elders were ask to fall in line there were hundreds of people taking a line to each of these Elders . Afterwards the sister's were ask to do the same . We give the goods after the instruction was given . I have learned even in the look in their eyes on what have they been through , as they receive those goods you can hear some of them saying "thank you" or "sister/elder can i have the rice instead " . Some of them have really serious wounds , The soldiers were there too . It's hot, and we were sweating but after all of those experiences for that day it was fulfilling seeing them smile .
We know as missionaries we might not help them ease their burden but by this little service we had made a difference that there is "HOPE" . We met President Noynoy Aquino (Philippines President) after that service and Mrs. Jinky Soliman (Secretary of DSWD) who were with us and gave instruction on how we could help. We seem to see ourselves like in an action movie or a rescuer haha! . After that we packed rice for the Casualties . We then received 4 boxes of water from an Army who gave us a ride home. It was a day were all of us felt how grateful we are to be alive , we then realize how Biscuits , Water and even the small things that we had where we sometimes took for granted . We definitely realize how important these things are into our lives. That even one biscuit at that time made us feel like it was the most delicious food we had . The Lord is mindful of us , each of his children and He will never leave us unaided .