Super Typhoon Hits Philippines
At the end of July a typhoon categorized as a “Super Typhoon” hit the northern region of the Philippines. The high winds along with the intense amount of rain left significant destruction in its wake. While the Philippines has had worse storms, this was still significant for the many areas here in the north. Destroyed homes, roads, crops and loss of life were all results of this storm.
From our Missionaries
Ethnos360 Aviation was able to partner with the local government, our own missionaries and others to bring much needed aid to small villages that were impacted by the typhoon.
Overall we carried around 8,800 lbs of relief good & resources. Many of the locations we flew into were too small for the larger government helicopters to access, so we were happy to be able to help these smaller communities.
The relief flying consisted mostly of flying food into the most heavily devastated areas. We also were able to fly in government employees to be able to help assess damages to better focus further relief operations.
Future Impact
This relief project was very special in the fact that these communities we were serving are the same communities that our missionaries are working and trying to reach with the truth’s of God’s word. Currently missionaries in this people group are drafting the chronological Bible teaching lessons. We are excited to see how these acts of kindness will impact future ministries and relationships and draw people to hear the teaching.
From Our Missionaries
Here in Calanasan, Apayao typhoons are a common reality that bring uncertainty. Although the news of an approaching typhoon comes early, the strength and path of it often aren’t known until the day before. Every family has stories of loved ones lost in landslides, floods, or falling trees. Every person has experienced reduced harvest from wind and rain damage. What will the next typhoon bring?
Super Typhoon Egay didn’t break any records but brought all the same problems. With 34” of rainfall in 36 hours, rivers were raging, and landslides left villages unreachable. Needs became apparent immediately. Harvest was coming soon and the rice from last harvest was nearly or completely used up. With only enough money to get through the next week, stranded husbands unable to return home meant families couldn’t buy their rice! News also began to spread of six missing people in Butao, Calanasan.
Rudy Barlaan, a missionary working with the Isnag people since 1971, knew the needs would be immediate. He quickly responded by ordering 200 kilos of rice to be flown by Ethnos 360 Aviation into a remote church in Tubongan, Calanasan. This is the sister church of the Dibagat Bible Church, normally just a 35-minute drive on the recently improved roads. With 17 reported landslides east between the two churches and 27 landslides heading north to the municipal capital of Calanasan, help was a long way off. The only reasonable way to transport aid would be by helicopter.
Newer missionaries to the area, Alex and Erin Williams, serving with New Tribes Church Planters of the Philippines knew they needed to help ,but were unsure what the real needs would be. Neighbors were already knocking on their door two days after the typhoon asking for help to feed their families. Friends were messaging to let them know that no one had arrived in Butao to search for the missing. A few of the lost were relatives of the pastor in Tubongan. After talking to Rudy, a connection was made with a teacher in Calanasan, Poblacion. Alex and Erin were informed of food relief being available there in Poblacion, but there was no way to transport it.
Coordinating with the mayor of Calanasan, Shamir M. Bulut, a plan was made to bring 180 relief packs to Butao. After Ryan deRoos, pilot with Ethnos360 Aviation, and Alex Williams flew to Tubongan Bible Church to deliver 200 kilos of rice, they hopped over the mountains on a five-minute flight to Calanasan to retrieve the relief packs bound for Butao. In contrast, first responders had been hiking for two days to reach Butao and had only made it two thirds of the way. These deliveries bring more than just a few days of food; they bring relief and reassurance that help is coming, that these people are not forgotten. After these initial deliveries, the mayor requested more flights to be done to deliver goods and personnel to the affected areas. The government blackhawk helicopters were busy delivering relief to other areas and it was unknown when Calanasan would be helped.
“It is great to be a part of something where people are helped immediately, and the love of God is shown so clearly. Our ability to help so quickly will be remembered. Lord willing, it will be used to bring the people of Calanasan to understand who God is and what He has done for them.”–Alex William
Thank You For Praying For Us And For So Generously Giving To Us To Keep Us Here Serving In The Philippines!
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