Philippine Typhoon Haiyan Update

 

We have had an update from our partners in the Philippines. As of April 23rd 126 houses have been built in the following areas:

- 39 houses in Medellin, Cebu.
- 23 houses in Kananga, Leyte.
- 25 houses in Camotes Island, Cebu. 
- 10 houses in Palo, Leyte
- 9 houses in Tacloban
* 20 houses in Palanog, Tacloban City [near completion]

Two churches in the following areas have been repaired:
- Tacloban City 
- Nipa, Medellin, Cebu 

Two churches in the following areas have been rebuilt:
- Dumalag, Capiz
- Dinginan, Roxas City

There is on-going constructions of 10 churches in the following areas:
- Palo, Leyte
- Kananga, Leyte 
- Apitong, Tacloban
- San Juan, Ormoc
- Panugnawan, Medellin, Cebu
- Coron, Palawan (2 churches) 
- Busuanga, Palawan (3 churches)

Pray for the on-going construction of over 1000 homes as well. Lots of work to be done yet but praise the Lord progress is being made!!

Post from March 28, 2014:

On November 8, 2013 Typhoon Haiyan hit the central Philippines, the third most disaster-prone country in the world. Haiyan claimed over 6,000 lives and destroyed an estimated 1.2 million homes. It was the strongest storm ever recorded at landfall.

C&MA individuals responded generously as they donated $594,508. We declared that amount to the Canadian Government’s matching program where they set aside one dollar for each individual donation to their Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund.  Added to this, some churches also gave funds from existing compassion/general funds in the amount of $196,000.    

The C&MA in Canada is engaged in a three-way partnership with CAMACOP (C&MA Churches of the Philippines) and CAMA Services (C&MA-US) for response to Typhoon Haiyan. Our C&MA Asian Spice Regional Developer, Mark Jones, travelled to the Philippines in November to join in the initial assessment of the most vulnerable people in each community and how funds could be used most effectively to help in the immediate needs, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases of relief.  

 

CAMA has provided a consultant to walk alongside CAMACOP pastors and lay workers in the response efforts.  They have been providing relief goods, trauma debriefs, reconstruction assistance, and funeral assistance to those who are hurting in the Philippines. 

 

Mark visited the Philippines again in March to assist in finalizing a project for the next phase of recovery.  We have most recently committed to contribute funds for the following:

·         Continued provision of food, water, clothing, etc

·         Rebuild 14 churches that were totally destroyed

·         Repair 7 churches that were partially damaged

·         Assistance to 1324 families whose homes were totally or partially destroyed

·         Assistance to rebuild 2 church schools that were damaged

·         Assistance to repair a community hall and community clinic that was damaged. 

Other Alliance World Fellowship national churches are also supporting these efforts.  It is great to be a part of a world-wide Alliance family.  Would you continue to pray for our sister church in the Philippines?  There is a long road of recovery ahead of them.  Pray that they will be a blessing to their communities as they demonstrate the love and care of Jesus!

Syrian Refugee Relief

"I lay on the street pretending I was dead for five hours because the snipers would shoot anything that moved.." 

This is just one example of the troubling stories shared by Syrian refugees as they recount their experiences of the civil war before fleeing to safety in neighbouring countries.

The living conditions of the refugees are terribly disheartening. Whether an extended family of 12 living in a one-room rented space, multiple families sharing one small apartment or young widows and their children in a tent within a refugee camp, life is difficult and seems hopeless. 

They have left jobs, homes, friends and family— with whatever they could carry— and now rely on the kindness and generosity of others. Many have experienced this care through Alliance churches in Lebanon, Jordan and within Syria.

The C&MA in Canada is supporting these relief ministries of the Alliance churches in Beirut, Damascus and Mafraq. In December, Joanne Beach travelled to the region with a team led by Arie Verduijn, President of Alliance World Fellowship. They visited these sister churches and many of the displaced Syrian families to whom they are ministering.

The most striking component of the churches’ relief ministries is the personal interest that is demonstrated. It is not just about handing out mattresses, blankets, heaters or food; it is about relational connection.

Once the distribution teams have delivered desperately needed items, visitation teams do regular follow-up visits to inquire about further needs, pray with people and simply spend time visiting. In the region it has been referred to as the "Alliance Approach."  Pastor Edward Awabdeh from Damascus summarized it in these words: "We let people know how precious they are."

The Syrian conflict has created a humanitarian crisis. The UN Refugee Agency reports that over 9 million Syrians have fled their homes due to the escalating violence.

"We let people know how precious they are." 

Joanne reports that their team was privileged to visit the 

Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan. With a population of approximately 130,000, it is one of the largest in the world. After a 30-minute briefing from the Colonel who oversees the camp, they were driven through the camp which enabled them to get a sense of what life is like within.

The most profound moment for them was driving up the main market street and passing by a bridal shop kiosk. In this new normal, people marry, have children and build new relationships; life goes on for the displaced.

Within these camps, people receive simple shelter, food, water and a degree of healthcare. Children attend school. Yet for millions of refugees who are not in official camps, this is not guaranteed. It is these people that the churches focus on.

"Now one of the needs is for discipleship, as many people are beginning to follow Jesus." 

The church in Mafraq has started a small school and is considering opening a larger one so that the hundreds of kids whom they are connecting with will have the opportunity to continue their education.

As the churches are reaching out with compassion to those in this crisis, they are finding that many are spiritually seeking as well. In their despair, they are finding hope in Jesus. Pastor Nour from Mafraq stated, “Now one of the needs is for discipleship, as many people are beginning to follow Jesus.”

Philippine Typhoon Haiyan

Please be in prayer for the Philippines as it was hit with a devastating Typhoon that has brought massive destruction. News sources are reporting that the death toll has surpassed 10,000. Hundreds of thousands have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed. Please also pray for the C&MA Churches of the Philippines (CAMACOP) as many communities with Alliance churches have been affected.

Here is an update from Bishop Jose Dalino, President, CAMACOP. He summarizes reports from District Supervisors:

CEBOLESA (Cebu, Leyte, Samar Islands): Two pastors are still unaccounted. Tacloban Alliance Church miraculously survived and became the haven of evacuees. Almost all church members of Tacloban lost their homes. In Camotes, Cebu our church and parsonage partially destroyed. 25 members lost their homes totally as well as their livelihood.

NEGPAS (Negros, Panay Islands): a) Roxas City, Capiz Alliance Church & school building totally destroyed. b) Sagay City -parsonage totally damaged. c) Barangay Rizal Outreach - church building totally damaged and livelihood of members.

Coron Island: Three Alliance Churches totally damaged, no update yet from other islands. 

Bicol: Our church in Calaay Alliance Church planting was damaged, including the members' rice fields, banana plants.

These churches represent whole communities that have been affected so please be in prayer for God to bring comfort and healing to the entire community.

Donations for Philippine Typhoon Relief may be sent to The Christian and Missionary Alliance National Ministry Centre, designated to Typhoon Haiyan Relief.  

We will be participating in the Canadian Government's matching program where for every dollar donated by individual Canadians up until December 23rd the government will set aside one dollar for their Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund.  

We are in communication with partner NGO's and with CAMACOP leadership to plan our response. As with disasters of this magnitude, we will be supporting immediate relief efforts and long term recovery efforts. We will post updates as available.

Online donations can be made here.

Alliance Churches please note: Only donations collected from individuals are eligible for the government matching program. Money remitted for Typhoon Haiyan Relief from a general mission fund is not eligible for the match. Please specify the amount received from individual donations and if applicable, the amount allotted to this project from the church mission  fund.  Please indicate clearly in separate lines on the remittance form. Thank you! 

Refugee Resettlement - Providing a Home Away from Home

June 20th is designated World Refugee Day by the United Nations. More than 45 million people were displaced last year according to the latest UN High Commission on Refugees report. These numbers are staggering; perhaps too daunting to motivate a response.

I have had several opportunities to visit refugee camps and listen to peoples’ experiences of flight. The stories have common elements.  Often at a moment’s notice, they grab the most important items and take only what they can carry. Their testimonies usually included loss of family members or threat of death or persecution. The refugee camps do not guarantee safety; only a different set of security and health risks.  Desperation and hopelessness prevail.  The C&MA has and continues to support several refugee relief programs in a variety of countries around the world.  BUT THERE IS MORE THAT WE CAN DO!  We can provide a home for those that have had to flee theirs. 

Many C&MA churches across Canada have been involved in assisting refugees to resettle in Canadian communities over the years. The result of assisting one family can have an impact for years to come not only on those sponsored but on their future generations.  We have our own story at the National Ministry Centre:

April Pitman works in our communications department. Her mother, Chhavy  Jeffs was a refugee in the 1970’s.  After fleeing Cambodia during the atrocities of the Pol Pot Regime, she arrived at a refugee camp in Thailand.  Relatives in Canada discovered that Chhavy’s family had made it to the refugee camp. They came to Kingston Alliance Church and asked if there was anyway the church would help.  When people in the church became aware of this need they were determined to reach out. They applied to sponsor the family.  Chhavy’s mother, meanwhile, discovered that twenty-three family members were in the refugee camp and resolved that they shouldn’t be separated.  Kingston Alliance found other churches in the city, including Bayridge Alliance, to partner with them. Soon all twenty-three family members arrived in Kingston and received love and care from these congregations. 

It is interesting to note that David Freeman (currently a C&MA Vice President) was a pastor at Kingston Alliance during that time. It was during a conversation at work one day that April and David connected the dots!

Watch this video to hear Chhavy's story of how refugee sponsorship impacted her family:

 

Oh that we could replicate this story over and over!  The C&MA Canada is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with Citizenship and Immigration Canada.  This agreement allows our local churches to apply to sponsor refugee families.  For more information please email:  alliancecompassion@cmacan.org

Note:  We are currently funding three separate relief projects for Syrian refugees in partnership with our Alliance World Fellowship churches in the Middle East.   

Saving Lives with Tiny Strands of String

During a recent visit to Cambodia, I saw firsthand how this string has been instrumental in pulling young 8-12 year old girls away from the potential of abuse in a brothel towards a healthy, educated, wholesome life full of hope for their future!   

Kim Bui, C&MA International Worker with Vietnamese Girls

Pictured above are some of the young Vietnamese girls whose families live in Cambodia as refugees. They have no legal status in the country. They live in extremely impoverished circumstances where too commonly young girls are sold by parents into the sex trade. Our C&MA International Worker, Kim Bui, is providing an alternative for these girls. 

Three days a week, the girls come to Kim's and make string bracelets.  Hundreds of bracelets!  The sale of these are providing money for their school fees and uniforms.  Education is definitely a huge factor in providing healthy options for their futures.  Funds are also used to provide supplemental food for their families as needed. 

Kim also tutors them in reading using kids' Bible lesson material. They are learning about how much God loves and values them. She is also developing relationships with their parents in hopes that they will also come to know the love of Jesus.  Only then will we see the potential for the practice of selling daughters to stop in this community.  

A highlight for the girls is swimming with Kim at a local hotel pool a couple times a week. The hotel manager has allowed Kim to bring them for a minimal cost. This is such a blessing as normally they would never have opportunities like this. 

Who would have thought that tiny string bracelets could provide life-saving opportunities!  Please pray for these girls and for Kim as she continues to minister among them.  Pray, too, for more workers to go and join Kim in this venture!