Just a few days before the Tribune went to press, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines at 5 a.m. local time, November 7. Relief efforts had already been underway because of an earthquake that hit the islands of Cebu and Bohol in mid-October, but nothing could have prepared the Filipinos for Haiyan. Some predicted wind gusts of up to 235 miles per hour, and unlike the momentary strike of a tornado, a typhoon can make its presence felt for days.
Here is a sample taken from some emails received from BBFI missionaries just after the typhoon moved on to mainland Asia.
BOYD AND DONNA LYONS
The super typhoon did not pass through Manila where Donna and I live. We did get some winds and rain but no damage. Thank you for praying for us. We did not know how bad we might be hit with the storm.
I have two pastors on the Island of Samar and Leyte who were hit very, very hard by the eye of the typhoon. I received a text that they were in storm signal four, highest in the Philippines, and were experiencing strong winds. It has been four days and I cannot contact either one of the pastors. I am sure that their church was damaged or completely destroyed. I do not know if they are safe right now.
JON STEFFY
Here in Iloilo we experienced wind speed of 135 kph on Friday afternoon. We were without power for several hours. Roxas City to the north of us was directly hit and the city was destroyed. I am still waiting to hear how our churches survived as communication has been cut off. We have also been gathering info on the terrible destruction in Leyte/Samar. There is one pastor friend of mine in Leyte/Samar along with his wife who drowned in the storm surge. The storm surge was approaching tsunami heights close to 20 feet high.
I found out today that at least two of our churches in northern Iloilo were completely destroyed. I would like to make a trip there on Thursday or Friday to assess the damage and bring relief supplies like drinking water, and rice, and canned foods, etc. So I need to get some money quick to get these supplies so we can bring them when we go to assess the damage and take pictures of the damage. Communication is hard to these places because they don’t have electricity to charge cell phones even if the cell towers are up and operating, which many may not be. All landline phones are down.
JOHN QUINLAN
We are fine as we are located quite north of where the typhoon hit. We got some hard rain and a little wind, but nothing out of the norm.
We do have some pastors and churches in the typhoon area; some we have heard from and some we have not. As of this date we know of three churches who have lost their buildings plus the pastors’ houses. All have some damage but are thankful for their lives and that their buildings are still standing.
One of the pastors has been trying to contact the pastors in his area. He keeps in contact with us about it. Yesterday, he and some of his members drove to check on some of the pastors and take them some food. He said they could only go so far as the roads were covered in trash. They went home before dark as there is no power and for safety because some will do anything for food.
The greatest devastation is in Tacloban and Samar. We have some missionary friends there and they are okay but have lost everything. There have been several of their people who have lost their lives. Their church building is not completely destroyed but heavily damaged. The pastor in Samar we have not been able to contact.
DEL HOOGE
We are fine — about 600 miles from storm center. Dozens of churches/schools and homes destroyed or damaged. We are doing a comprehensive assessment of needs and any help will be appreciated.
One of our national missionaries and his wife were killed by the storm. The family members here in Manila are headed down into the area for services.
GREG LYONS
Our team is involved in relief efforts with our contacts on Cebu Island. If some BBFI churches would like to help, we will be facilitating some clean water systems as well as relief goods to areas around Cebu.
We are specifically focusing on Bantayan Island that was devastated by that storm. Bantayan Island is north of Cebu Island. This is an area that may be overlooked by the larger relief efforts. Initial reports are that 600 people who were gathered in an evacuation center died when the center’s roof collapsed. Most of the major structures and houses were destroyed by the storm. Our partners are mobilizing some temporary housing tents, water, and supplies to help with immediate needs. We continue to pray for the thousands of families that have been affected by the storm. There will be much needed over the next few months.
LANCE GOTCHER
This is the worst recorded natural disaster ever in the Philippines and that’s saying something. We are fine here in Manila but we are getting some supplies together and trying to get them to Tacaloban by boat. We have been in contact with the Jesalvas in Cebu and are trying to coordinate relief work through them. The office of the president told people tonight to not go there right now because it is too dangerous.
We hope to actually get some supplies there by the end of the week and then do follow-up work, but I will keep you updated as to the plans and the need.
Kent Jesalva told me they have lost at least two churches they know of on the island of Leyte but there are many pastors they have not heard from yet.
A couple from Bethany Baptist in Makati who pastored on Leyte died in the storm — Pastor Ed and Janet Ragracias. That information came through Del Hooge.
It looks like on Leyte, many people lost everything. There will be a lot of work to do in the coming weeks. Thanks for your concern and prayers for the Philippines in its darkest hour.
Those who want to help with Philippines relief effort may donate online at www.BBFIMissions.com.
You may also send a check marked “Disaster Relief Fund” to: BBFI Mission Office, PO Box 802757, Kansas City, MO 64180-2757.