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I will have more story to come from the floodway in Arenda, Taytay. I wanted to get these pictures off to you. I was out in the crowd talking with the men, working the pharmacy table or running between the exam stations and the pharmacy and the supply truck. We had an incredible day. Great ministry. One of the men I spent time with was an educated man and resident of this neighborhood. He had a degree in Civil Engineering and came to Manila from the Bicol Province 35 years ago. He hoped for a construction job, but became a laborer his whole working life. He raised his family, and proudly introduced his daughter who is a Christian and student at a seminary. He now cooks barbeque chicken and sells it in a street-side stall. We discussed the needs of the community, and he shared the lack of jobs, food and medical care. And obviously the present state of the community with the effects of the typhoon, he is unable to sell bbq chkn. Basically this community has carpentry, masonry, laborers and unemployed living in the community. And many children
Arenda Medical Relief on Friday, Oct 23….There were 150 tickets distributed. All showed up, and then some. Three children, with very bold mothers, were brought to us without tickets, and we accepted them as emergency cases. One had a 104 degree temperature, another had severe ear infection, and another had scratched a skin infection raw and bleeding. A scene that is etched in my memory is of one lady who came in with two children, her eyes were swollen and wet with tears and lack of sleep. As she came down from the examination station to receive her medicines, she was still looking haggard, but her face showed relief and a wide smile. We had to turn no less than 25-50 people away, who had waited 5 hours to see if they would be allowed to get treatment. That was very hard for them, and it was very hard for us. But it was a difficult reality. We could only serve 150 patients in this allotted time.
We treated skin rashes, diarrhea, high temp, and various exposure related conditions. We had a variety of antibiotics, pain and fever relievers, ointments, vitamins, etc.... We had two doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist. Two doctors who had originally committed to come fell ill that morning. And a bunch of us volunteers were fitting in on a number of tasks. Pastor Bernard spent the first hour sharing from his heart, speaking to this large Catholic community about a relationship with Jesus Christ. Accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord of their life. Many in the crowd were from families of drug lords (Shabu), gambling (cock fighting), alcoholism and other lords that have separated them from knowing and having a relationship with the living God. Pastor Bernard is gifted and passionate in dealing with the people in his community in the Arenda floodway, Taytay.
This work was a true blessing to the church and volunteers, and to the people in the community. It will strengthen the relationship of Pastor Bernard and the church with their immediate neighborhood and beyond. You will notice water is still in the streets, three weeks after the typhoon. And that water isn't going anywhere soon, with new storms and rains sure to come. This is a critical time. There will be more Typhoons between now and the first week of December. Please pray that this area will be protected from further damage, loss of life, and economic fall-out. Also the health concerns, from malaria, denghue fever, typhoid, and other exposure conditions created by flood waters.
We thank you friends for your prayers and sacrifices. Many have and will come to know the Lord through these calamities and through these relief efforts. This of course is one of the ways God works. His ways are way beyond me, and when he reveals his plans I am stunned by His awesome grace, mercy and provision.
God bless you and take care,
Phil
