Tropical Storm Ondoy hits Manila, Philippines—Berean Protestant Reformed Church is affected

Friday, October 02, 2009

Dear Fellow Saints,
       You have, no doubt, heard the news about the flash flood in metro Manila as a result of Storm Ondoy that our sovereign Lord sent over the city a week ago on Friday night and Saturday morning, Manila time.  The Lord showed His great power in the storm by sending 13.44 inches (34.1 cm) of rain in this area in about 6 hours.  And, the rain kept coming through early Saturday afternoon, too, so that the storm total was recorded at a historic 17.9 inches (45.5 cm).
     Our house is on a hill so that we and the rest of our neighborhood suffered no harm from the resulting flash flood.  However, the flash flood did affect several families of the Berean PRCP and families of our regular contacts.  Their situations have been stabilized, but there is now the work of cleaning, repairs, and replacement of earthly necessities lost in the flood or totally ruined by the silt and mud, mixed with oil in some cases.

   In response, the Berean PRCP diaconate has been assessing the benevolence needs of our affected families and the families of our regular contacts, and for the needs that exceed our ability we will be contacting the Doon PRCA diaconate for assistance, which the Doon diaconate has already offered in our time of need.  We are confident that our heavenly Father will supply the needs of these saints in their distress, even through the concern and genuine mercy of our fellow saints in the body of Christ.
      We are thankful that the lives of our affected members and contacts with their children were spared.  Above all, we may be thankful for their confession by the grace of God in their present troubles that "God is our refuge and strength:  a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear ... though the waters thereof roar and be troubled..." (Psalm 46:1,3).
Cordially in Christ,
    Rev. Richard Smit and family.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Dear brothers,

As far as we know this afternoon (Wednesday), all of our flood-affected Berean members have been contacted, have been moved to safety, and no longer stranded or trapped by the floodwaters. One

family, which lives in Pasig, was still stranded Wednesday morning, but by afternoon, they are now in safety and in good health at this time. Some of you know Max Lising, our 88 year old member, and have actually visited in his house. He was moved out of his house to safety so that he is O.K. We do not know the details of his rescue, but we will find out soon. The consistory have planned visit him on Saturday, our earliest opportunity for him.

That these members, living in flood-prone areas, have been retrieved and moved out to safer areas is a relief because another set of storms with more rain is set to arrive on Friday.

We thank our sovereign Lord for sparing the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Lord and their children. Now, there is much work clean-up and repair work to do. Nevertheless, the our heavenly Father by His tender mercies and lovingkindnesses will provide our needs, and that is the confidence and confession of those adversely affected.

I do not have an new information regarding our regular contacts. Pastor Flores reported earlier to some of the ministers privately that about 2 dozen of his members were badly affected, losing all their earthly possessions to the floodwaters. I have not heard from Pastor Andres yet, and from some of the other contacts. The Berean consistory is contacting them for information and waiting for a response. I have Bible Study tonight, and will get the latest news again this evening.

Remember the distressed saints here in your prayers.

Cordially in Christ,

(Rev.) Richard Smit

Monday evening, September 28, 2009

Dear brothers and sub-committee,
    Greetings!
    The sovereign Lord touched the metro Manila area with a deluge of water on Friday and Saturday of last week.  It was the worst rains since 1967.   I have lived in SW BC and NW Washington area for many years and thought I was well acquainted with rain storms, but this was far beyond that.  At the height of the storm, our house roof leaked in spots and the main floor area had some water coming in a the doors, but that was all.  In comparison to many in the metro Manila area, we have escaped unharmed.
    Several families in the Berean congregation have had their houses flooded out.  We have yet to hear from the Lisings, but imagine the worst for their homes.  They are reportedly safe, but no word on their houses and belongings.   I imagine that they have lost much.  The Oriartes, a newlywed couple, spent  most of Saturday night on their rooftop until the waters receded on Sunday.  The worst part of this flooding is not the water itself but the mud and miscellaneous junk and germs that come with it and get into clothing, furniture, etc.  The cleanup will take a long time.
    There were no church services on Sunday.  My family could not get to church since one bridge across a river was closed to vehicle traffic for Sunday and the other two alternate bridge routes were either closed or so congested, travel into metro Manila was impossible.  We tried to drive out to Quezon City, but turned around and returned home through some shortcuts.  The Sumulong highway suffered a landslide in one section, and today we will find out if it is repaired and opened.
    School for the children has been cancelled today because some of the Faith families are either stranded due to washed out roads or bridges or they their houses were flooded out, too.

    As far as helping out, if necessary, we will keep you posted as to developments and any emergency needs, which may undoubtedly go beyond our church's ability here, will be directed through the Doon diaconate whom the other diaconates may contact to offer assistance.   We have not only our own church members to care for, but have many regular contacts that may need help as well.  I will be meeting with a committee from Doon Council tomorrow, and will update them on the situation.

    Thank you for your prayers and concern.

Cordially in Christ,
    Rev. Smit

P.S.  My internet connection was finally restored today, but at a much slower speed.  I can be reached at 0908-394-4987 or via Daniel Kleyn or via Vernon Ibe through cell phone/text.

Monday morning, September 28, 2009

Good morning,

I just received another brief text message from Richard -- he sent it about an hour ago.  He said they are still waiting for news from two families.  He also mentioned that his internet provider is still down.

Rev. Daniel Kleyn

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Here's an update from one of the Office Bearers in the BPRC in Manila. Rev. Daniel Kleyn.

-----Original Message-----

Subject: updates in Berean Situation

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sorry for my delayed response. Our house was nearly hit by the raging currents of Tullahan River yesterday. Most of our neighborhood had left and evacuated to safer places for fear of unusually rising water. We're not at home when the water rose to an unexpected level, killing many people ( according to the news ) and destroying many houses in nearby barangays and along the riverbanks. We were stranded along Mindanao Ave. near Trinoma and was trapped there with over head deep water some 100 meters away from our car and we cannot move out.

At 9 pm, we were able to reach home via a long, difficult, and dangerous route because most of direct routes to our place were blocked and under high water and rendered impassable. One very important bridge near our house that connects us to other barangays collapse and washed out, that adds to our difficulties. We've got no water and electricity all night. we have a very short and limited sleep last night.

concerned about the brethen, Pastor Smit, Elder Rod, and I tried to communicate with the church membership to know their situations. most of the brethens were graety affected. Bro Eric suffered a neck-deep water inside their house in San Juan. Bro Max stayed almost trapped inside their house in Malabon. Bro Alex and Sis Che stayed all night at the rooftop of their house in Pasig. There's no words yet from Deacon Dick, Bros Carlito, John Lising, and Lando in Gabaldon. We're still trying to hear from them until now for they are not responding to our texts. Other members are ok now. There are still many flooded areas in the Metropolis. We are now under the State of Calamity. Pastor himself did not make it to the services today prompting us to cancel the worship services. Elder Rod and I conducted 2 Bible Studies instead with 12 people in attendance. We plan to visit affected brethen tomorrow, God-willing. Please pray for us.

in Christ service,

Bro Sonny (Elder Sonny Umali)

***********

Good morning,

I received a few more brief text messages from Richard.  He mentioned that they had to cancel their church services for Sunday.  Also that some of the members have been badly affected, with their homes flooded out.  These messages were sent around 2:30 pm on Sunday (which was 2:30 am Sunday morning our time here in Michigan).  I was glad to hear that the Smits are doing fine, and that the Lord has been pleased to spare the lives of those we know and love in the Philippines.  May they be assured of His goodness and loving care.

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm ...." Isaiah 25:4.

May you all have a blessed Lord's Day!

Daniel (Kleyn)

*******

September 26, 2009

Good evening brothers,

I've not been able to have any email contact with Richard -- probably due to his internet connection and perhaps also their electricity being affected by the storm.  But I also sent him a text message through my cell phone and he responded with a brief message to say that the flooding is very bad and that some member's houses are flooded.  At that point (8:15 am on Sunday there) he indicated they would still have church, but I'm not sure if they would have or could have.  Personally I would doubt it, based on reports of how extensive the flooding and power outages, etc. are.  That's about all the news from him, but I was glad at least to hear from him.  Will keep you posted if I hear anything more.  We keep them in our prayers.

Lord's blessings,

Daniel.

*******

On Facebook, Melody Ibe made the following comment:

"Was able to talk to mom who's in the province. My sister Bing is safe in the school where she teaches. They were advised not to leave the premises anymore. My sister Ning is safe as well though the water is just 2 steps away from the 2nd floor where she stays. Bro. Eric & family who are staying on the main floor are with her already. But my sister Che & her husband Alex was at the top of their roof already when mom last heard from them. Now we can't contact them anymore.No one from the consistory replied to our text message yet so we don't know the situation of other members except that of Bro. Eric Mescallado. Please continue to pray for them. God is sovereign!"

*******

Dear brothers,
Our prayers should especially be with the Philippine saints and Smits this Sunday in light of recent events there. In case you are unaware, Metro Manila was hit by Tropical Storm Ondoy. Winds were not as damaging (50 miles/hour sustained) as the rain--the highest recorded 24 hour total in over 40 years, some 13 1/2 inches in 6 hours or so, more than receive on average in one month. Flooding was extensive.
I have been unable to reach the Smits but did talk to Melody Ibe, who has not been able to contact her family either...thinks phones or electric might be out & that its doubtful they would have church today. I understand more rain is expected although the bulk of the storm has passed. If any of you have further information, please email & if I learn anything more, will send it to you.
Rev. Bill Langerak

Below are some links to pictures and videos if your are interested:

Local News Videos (in Tagalog):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG_GXBA3oQA (note people being swept down the river on the wreckage of their houses--1:35 of video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_BLXyzoFdw (rescue operations in Marikina)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr49gZ1SgMs

Miscellaneous videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWs5XTcGgOk  (flooding on the North Luzon Expressway--NLEX)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9YVd_7ax64 (from inside of a jeepney--note pictures of the airport near the end)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-oH7K2vlNE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jaKYQCEhUk (an idea of how fast water rushes down some streets)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBe_LC20b1A (flooding below elevated train station--LRT)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7OPEgpfkaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQAPKPMofgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqAdaiCZBQ4 (Stranded people on houses along Pasig River--taken from high-rise)

About a 30 pictures of the flooding:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Tropical-Storms-and-Hurricanes-tropical-storm-Manila2C-Philippines/ss/events/sc/091905hurricanes/im:/090926/481/a2add38a19814370b95451362920d367/#photoViewer=/090926/481/a2add38a19814370b95451362920d367