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Manila, Philippines Aug. 2012

 
August 12, 2012

The sun shone in Manila on Sunday morning and we headed off to Malanday where five of our Bryce Homes are located. Pastor Richard had called me late Saturday night indicating they were planning to hold a service at his church and asked me if I would speak. He also told me that the clean-up was a long way from being complete and to expect the same devastation we had observed two days earlier.

As Sunday was to be my last full day here in the Manila area it was important that we do our best to visit the Malanday area with the purpose of speaking to the fellowship of believers and to visit the Bryce Homes. We arrived in the Malanday area but Richard was only able to find a place to park that was about a block and a half from the church. The last time I had been there was at night and there were no lights to see. This time it was broad daylight. We put on our boots and headed towards the church. The following photos will give you an idea the conditions the poor people of Malanday are facing. The water has subsided but the damage remains. The smell is unbearable. Disease threatens their lives.


Pastor Richard's church in the background

 


Residents have pushed mud and garbage from their houses into the street

 

According to reports the government will not be able to clean up the area for at least one week and the power will be off for at least one month. We visited all five Bryce Homes before the service and tried to encourage the parents of the homes and the children. We also committed to continue to provide them with resources so they can get back on their feet.


Frances and Frankie Aquino – Bryce Home Two

 

As you are reading this report, try to imagine what it would be like to live in this location during this time. This morning the weather report indicates there is another monsoon in the making and Manila is expected to face more flooding in the near future.

My topic for the morning service was intended to be an encouragement to those who were there. Before the adult service over 50 children from the area met and sang songs, recited Bible verses and had a Bible Study. Afterwards the children were fed and given a packet of rice and noodles to take home.


If you were here to see this situation as I was I am sure you would be deeply impacted. We who have so much have no idea what it would be like to be faced with a situation like the one that has been experienced here. If you can help in any way it will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Roger Oakland

 

August 11, 2012

The rain stopped today but the whole day was spent waiting to see if we could enter into the Malanday area to visit our Bryce Homes and take in relief. It was not until late in the evening that I heard from Richard. He notified me that we would attempt to hold a service at his church on Sunday morning and that I should be ready to be picked up early Sunday morning.

Apparently the conditions are still very bad and the streets have not been cleared. I will know more in a few hours and will write another report as soon as I know more.

Please continue to pray for all of our Bryce Homes in the Manila area and the people of Richard’s church in Malanday. This is a crisis that is beyond anything I have ever experienced first-hand. We will do all we can while we are here with the resources we have and then follow up with more supplies to be distributed later when I return to Canada.

 

August 10, 2012

Since turning the focus of the ministry of Understand The Times towards sharing the gospel to the needy in poor countries I have witnessed and experienced many things that have been etched into my mind for as long as I live.  More and more it becomes obvious to me that this is the direction the Lord has called us to go in this phase of my life. Yesterday, while here in Manila, it was once more confirmed that reaching out and helping the poor and orphaned is truly what the Bible calls “real Christianity” (James 1:27).

As I mentioned in my previous report I arrived at the Manila Airport in the midst of one of the heaviest continuous downpours the city has ever experienced. All rivers had over flown their banks and low lying areas nearby had been flooded. Over 1 million people have been impacted by this disaster and the loss of human life is now over sixty.

The first day I was here it was not possible to go to the area where our Bryce Homes are located because it was completely underwater. Yesterday there was a let up in the rain and we set out around noon to take food and necessities to as many of the six homes we are supporting here.  Pastor Richard picked me up and we went to a large market where we purchased rice, noodles, sardines and soap.

Our first stop was Bryce Home One in the region of Pasig City. While the water here had been chest high it was one of the first areas to subside. Our caretakers there are Rey Loaogan and his family. Earlier this year UTT had assisted Rey to add a room to his humble home to take in two children, to care for them and give them an education. After dropping off some goods we proceeded on our way to the area where the remaining Bryce Homes are located – Malanday.

Finally by dark we arrived at Malanday but were unable to get within a block and a half of the church. There are no words to properly describe the conditions we saw. What made it worse is that there was no power and we were submersed in compete darkness. A group of children from Pastor Richard’s church in Malanday met us and told us the best route we could go to make it to the church on foot. We put on our knee high boots and slopped our way through the muck carrying the produce we had purchased to the church. Some of the older children helped us carry the smaller packages.

I cannot describe in words the conditions we saw in this area. The streets were completely buried in mud and garbage three of more feet high. As you can understand the smell of this rotting garbage was unbearable. It is hard to imagine how the people living here would be able to recover. I have been to this area several times before in the past. In my wildest dreams I could have never imaged the devastation I saw this time.

After dropping of the produce at the church there was not much else we could do. As we were leaving the area the sky opened up again with another deluge and there was a tremendous amount of lighting and thunder. As we headed back to the hotel Pastor Richard received word that government officials had warned those who remained in the Malanday area to leave immediately as an overflow from a dam holding back a river running through the area was about to be released.

Today the rain has subsided and I am waiting word whether we will be able to go back tomorrow. I desperately want to see the remaining five Bryce Homes and find out what we can do to assist them in this time of need. I am also thankful I was here to be able to see first-hand what our brothers and sisters in Manila are facing and to find ways to help them in this time of great need.

While it is not our custom to appeal for funds every time we see a need, I feel that this is an exception. If you feel led to contribute to assist in this situation you can do so through Understand The Times. Pastor Richard is a totally trustable brother who will administer the distribution of all resources. Your gifts will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Roger Oakland
Understand The Times

 

August 9, 2012

I am writing this ministry update from Manila. Several months ago I planned a trip here to visit the six Bryce Homes that we established here to come alongside widows and poor families and by assisting them with food, clothing, education and spiritual direction. Little did I know when this trip was planned that I would be arriving at the peak of historic monsoon rains that have left over 800,000 homeless and 20 dead in the Manila area.

I was met at the airport by Pastor Richard and taken to my hotel which is located in an area of Manila that was not affected by the flooding. Unfortunately, the area where all of our Bryce Homes are located is completely flooded with water that is chest high in the streets and homes. As it has stopped raining today we are waiting on word when we will be able to get to the area and provide relief to our families.

It is apparent to me that the Lord has guided me here at this time to be His hand extended. Please pray for us as we visit the six homes and provide care and assistance. I will be sending daily reports to be posted on our site.

Sincerely,
Roger Oakland
Understand The Times

 

Understand The Times is an independent non-profit organization in Canada and the United States.
Understand The Times is not affiliated or dependent upon any other organization or denomination.
Understand The Times is accountable to a board of directors in the United States and Canada
and accountable, first of all, to Jesus Christ and His word.

 

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