It has been a week since the super typhoon Egay hit the Philippines. It has caused unspeakable loss, misery and devastation to the lives of many Filipinos. It has left many provinces and municipalities submerged in floodings for weeks.
Typhoon in the Philippines is a common phenomenon. The government may have set some actions and solutions for this kind of weather phenomenon. Since we are a tropical country we expect and anticipate typhoons and many other nature disasters like El Niño and La Niña, even volcano eruptions and many other disasters to be named as climate change, is also waving.
We cannot just point a finger to our government as we are also accountable for all these natural and human-made sufferings. We only reap what we sow for all the cruelty and abuse the people do to our mother nature. We suffer the price we inflict to our natural environment. God entrusted his beautiful creation for us to subdue not destroy.
The aftermath effect is just as worst as the super typhoon itself. Rich and poor alike when both big and small houses and luxurios cars submerged together with the floating rubbish. Landslides are everywhere, fishing, agriculture and infrastructures are greatly damaged and destroyed. Many lives were lost and missing.
The suffering is too much but Filipinos bear, dare and deal with life no matter how difficult it maybe. Filipinos never give up so easily. What is important we always give a battle of life a good fight.
I understand the feeling because I was once a flood victim, not once but a few times already. That was when our house submerged in flood, when flood water came rushing inside the house in different directions and corners. Panic attacked my being. I was afraid, tired, wet and cold. My consciousness was apparently floating during that time and I did not know what to do or what to save first.
Even if my experience was not as horrible as those who have been affected by super typhoon, the experience was still unforgetable.
It just reminds me that material possessions may vanish or be swept away in just a blink of an eye. Even lives can be taken away from us in no particular time, place and circumstance but the seeds of faith planted and rooted in fertile soil no storn can wither.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
It was tough for the typhoon victims to start life anew and gather its missing puzzle but it can always be mended in God’s time. The help of generous people cannot compensate losses but somehow can give a sense of relief and comfort.
We need to help those who have lost family and loved ones, and help them recover from their broken hopes and dreams.
I think God allowed me to experience many floods and storms in my life not at all to be drowned in pain and suffering, but we have to be the victim’s voice on how it is to be in their shoe.
We also pray for all the people of the world who also went through different sufferings that they may be healed and comforted in their pains and losses.
I pray I may also find strength and courage to stand and speak out for I believe that God uses me in my weakness. Gold shines its finest when tested in fire and so faith is built through the storm.
Lynn Salinas-Batoliño
The Philippines
