By Beth McCloskey & Barb Wooler
September has certainly lived up to its reputation as the peak of hurricane season! Last week, as the eastern U.S. prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Florence, Southeast Asia was bracing for Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which swept through the northern Philippines before striking Hong Kong and parts of China.
With wind speeds greater than 200 kph (125 mph), Typhoon Mangkhut (or Typhoon Ompong, as it is called in the Philippines) was equivalent to a category 5 hurricane; far stronger than the winds of Florence at landfall.
The Batac Grace Brethren Church and another church plant in Ilocos Norte are the only Charis global fellowship churches in the direct path of Typhoon Mangkhut. Many people in their church and community suffered damage to their homes and properties, but thankfully there was no loss of life.
Yesterday, we received this update from Pastor Rey Paz:
“Until now there is much suffering going on. The city government has said they hope to restore power by September 26th if they can get the materials they need from Manila. Alma and I are sleeping outside because it is so hot, but the mosquitoes will not let you sleep well.
“According to the Servant Leaders, the three roofs at the back of the Church were blown off by the wind, also the back of the house of one of the brother’s house…the believers’ crops are gone now after the two typhoons – Josie from last month and Super Typhoon Mangkhut. There is no electricity and roads are not passable.”
As Pastor Rey reported, the storm brought great devastation. This is especially the case since it follows directly on the heels of Typhoon Josie. The combined damage has devastated the rice crop. More than 200,000 people were forced to seek shelter in evacuation shelters on Saturday, and the torrential winds knocked out power to over 430,000 homes. At the time of this writing, the death toll stands at over 60, but one local mayor fears the number will be well over 100 as a result of landslides and flooding.
Through your generous giving, last month we were able to help the Batac church and community after Hurricane Josie, but the major damage left in Mangkut’s wake, such as repairs to roofs of homes and also the Batac church building, is as yet unfunded. To give to this need, click here.
