Reap News

Minutes ago we received a report from people we sent ahead to assess the damages in the village of Bugabuga. The village consists of about 150 families and is in a fairly remote place in the hills. The village was completely leveled with the exception of one house that had its roof blown off.

The people just received a small amount of government food – but very little. The report said, “They were very happy when they realized we were not only giving aid to the believers in the village but to all. They said that we gave more than the government did! They have been forced to regularly go out to the main road and beg passerbys for food. Our people said that though the need is great now, it will get greater still in about a month. Right now they are getting some food from vegetation not totally destroyed.”

Lorrie and I are planning to go to the village and oversee a larger distribution of food and materials as soon as it can be arranged. We are in the process of trying to buy materials in another city and finding trucks to transport the supplies.

I just talked to a man that has helped with the Indonesia typhoon and other disasters. He said this is worse. He said it covered a 200 mile path flattening everything. He said there certainly will be more deaths than what is now being reported.

We praise God that we heard from our pastor in Agataya. He said that they are now doing well. It is a small village of about 50 people. He said everyone helped one another and they were very blessed with the aid we already sent with him.

We are thankful for the generous outpouring from so many people to help the Philippines!

Nels and Lorrie

We are in a town called Taytay. My computer battery is about dead and there is no place to charge it before leave for the next village.

The men that went to Bugabuga reported back. They said they had to be careful because some people are intercepting trucks bringing food. They brought ten bags of rice covered by building supplies to the village. The village has received no outside supplies as yet and the people only have whatever vegetation they can find to eat not destroyed by the typhoon. They found there are 158 families in the village which would be about 1000 people. The ten bags of rice would be not even enough for 2 days. Unfortunately, the rice that they normally could have bought in Cebu for around $45/bag is now more than $70 because of the great demand or perhaps greed.

Please continue to pray for the people in Bugabuga and wisdom for us to know how and what to supply.

Nels and Lorrie

Lorrie and I are now on the island of Palawan in a remote village. We are able to attach with a WiFi gatchet as long as we sit down by the ocean. Praise God for modern technology.

We ministered most of the day today and will continue services at a few different churches during the next few days.

We have men to Leyte to survey the damages. We assigned them the task of bringing in some supplies and helping the people to began to rebuild their homes. After they have their homes, they will start re-building the church building. We sent the pastor of a church destroyed in Northern Palawan with some funds to help their situation. We instructed both to send back reports as soon as they are able to communicate so that we can accurately and successfully help the relief operations in their areas.

Thank you again!

Nels and Lorrie

November 2013 (Special)  

Dear friends,  

James 2:15, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”  
For those that may not have heard, a major typhoon hit the Philippines this past Friday. Some news agencies reported the typhoon as the worst in recorded history. The typhoon struck primarily the central part of the Philippines with high winds, heavy rains, and for those near the ocean, destructive waves.   It is impossible to put in words the devastation that was left in the hardest hit areas.

 Reliable reports have said that there are bodies lying on the streets and in the midst of the rubble.  Most of the news reports show of the damage in the larger city areas where most of the building have either been destroyed or suffered severe damage.   Communication was almost non-existent for the first several days.  Just yesterday we heard from the pastor of one of our churches in Bugabuga. He said that all but one of the houses in the village including the church building was completely destroyed.  He said the people are without food or housing. Just this morning, we finally heard from our most remote church. They said the building was totally destroyed as well as their sea weed that is there primary source of income.   From what we understand, the major help is coming to the larger cities but many of the small cities and villages are not being helped. We are sending a small team to go to some of these areas with some relief supplies. We are asking them to bring a report back to us to help us plan for future support. It is our desire to give but we want to make sure the supplies are what is actually needed in the respective area and that they get to the people where the greatest needs are.   We thank you on behalf of the Filipino people, for whatever help you are able to give. The need is great. The suffering is great. But our God is greater. He desires to get the glory though us as we are His hands extended to the needy.   We thank you for your caring and giving hearts!     Nels and Lorrie

Good morning!

Minutes ago I received news from our main pastor and overseer of the churches we work with in the Philippines.

For those that may not have heard, a major typhoon, by some reports the largest in recorded history hit the Philippines this past week. There are now reported thousands of deaths as a result. Until this time, there is still is no normal communication from much of the areas around Cebu.

Pastor Homer, the overseer of the churches we work with called me this morning. He just heard from our church in the town of Villaba. This is what he said, “Nothing was left all was gone carried by the strong wind even the drum set, guitars, roofs, lumber and all houses was destroyed, they are now hungry.” Pastor Homer also said, “Please pray for our people in Agutaya. There is no report and it is not yet reached by the media and the possibility of damage is also great because it is a small island and the big islands surrounding it was hit badly by the storm.”

We are making arrangements to send aid with Pastor Homer to Viiaba. Obviously, there is a great need. If you are able to contribute please send checks to our normal Reap account and designate for relief.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Nels and Lorrie