From: The Desk of HFCF Disaster/Emergency Assistance Mission
Last July, after Typhoon “Emong” struck the provinces of Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur with strong devastating winds of 120-130kph (75-85mph) and intense rain, we received urgent request from pastors/church leaders in the Western Pangasinan area desperately pleading for disaster assistance and relief supplies. Thousands of families, including more than 60 families of our brethren living in the district of Anda, Pangasinan, had lost everything literally overnight, as the onslaught of floodwaters and intense cyclone winds drove them out of their damaged dwellings.
(Below are pictures of a few families)
With a generous grant from IDES (International Disaster and Emergency Assistance) and donations from our loving donors, we immediately sent disaster assistance/rebuilding funds to our disaster assistance paster/coordinater Bro. Luis Invencion (our local pastor at San Jose, Anda, Pangasinan). Our aim was to help our brethren (more than 50 in all) rebuild their dwellings as well as their lives, allowing them to recover from their heartbreaking losses as quickly as possible.
Since there were so many families who badly needed to rebuild their houses, we had to prioritize those families who had suffered total losses/destruction (Phase 1), then afterwards those with major losses (Phase 2). Most families who had suffered minor damages were able to repair their dwellings within the first few weeks after “Emong” left.
The families were encouraged upon the early news of receiving assistance to help rebuild their houses, and as they see their destroyed dwellings being rebuilt. their joy could not be contained. They tearfully praised God for His faithfulness and profusely thanked the pastors and the teams, and HFCF and IDES who had rebuilt their houses! God be praised indeed!
We joyfully received from Pastor Luis Invencion these updates and pictures of finished houses under Phase 1 (total loss category) of the “Post-Emong Disaster Assistance Project” in Anda, Pangasinan.
Phase 1 will be finished after the rebuilding of Sis. Crysilda’s house (shown above). The monsoon rains and subsequent typhoons have hampered the progress of the “Post-Emong Disaster Assistance Project” , but our preserving team continues the work as time and weather condition allows. Let us pray for good weather and added grace and protection for or disaster assistance/rebuilding team so they can move on to Phase 2 of this project (major damages category).
Please follow the progress of the ‘Post-Emong Disaster Assistance Project’ in our Facebook wall (‘Harvest for Christ Foundation’) and pray for our brethren and their families who have been affected, so they can recover and be further be strengthened in their faith. We will post regular updates as we receive them. GOD BE PRAISED FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS!
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
Matthew 25:35-36