The Typhoon That Devastated Northern Mindanao.

On Friday the 16th December at approximately 10pm local time the Northern Tip of Mindanao between the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro and their surrounding districts was hit by the typhoon Sendang. The typhoon brought very heavy rains which by the time they ran down into the rivers which reach the sea along the northern coast it was around 4.30am Saturday morning. Most of the local inhabitants were asleep when the rivers burst their banks and the torrents of water swept through their homes. Many people were literally swept away in the swell of the torrents and subsequently drowned those fortunate enough headed for higher ground or even their rooftops or anything higher than the water level which included trees.

The aftermath of this dreadful event was to leave in excess of 500 dead and countless missing presumed drowned or buried in the devastation.

Both cities and particularly Cagayan de Oro which is closest to Bethany have been devastated with still large parts without power or running water. Aid agencies are working flat out to help those affected by the devastation and the resulting trauma.

Talakag where Bethany is located is still cut off from Cagayan de Oro due to the road being blocked by several landslides still to be cleared. There is also no power in Talakag area due to lines being down so there is no direct communications with them. There is also no water due to the power outage. I know the people of Talakag will make do as will the staff of Bethany till things can be put right that is the nature of the Filipino.

My concern is for the future when the mess is sorted and the children affected by this disaster need to be placed as will surely happen. Children will have lost parents and siblings, some parents will not be able to cope after loosing all in the storm resulting in children requiring care.

With Bethany not being funded by anyone other than individual donations they are going to require your help and urgently.

Please if you can spare a little let me know by direct mail to me and I will get back with instructions of how to send your donation to reach Bethany.

I don’t wish to post pictures of the disaster here as the situation has already been widely publicised and would only cause more distress to those who have been affected.

God bless all those who have survived this ordeal and give them the strength to continue.

FESTIVE GREETINGS TO ALL MY READERS

Well it’s that time of the year again when we recall the events past and look forward to those still to come.

Christmas is not just about receiving and giving presents but also to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who from such humble beginnings is now known and remembered in all countries of the world we live in.

I would like to think that our founder Miss Lynip’s work at Bethany would also not be forgotten or that of the many people past and present who continued in her footsteps.

Bethany is a wonderful place for children who need love and care that due to often tragic circumstances makes it necessary. For those fortunate to have visited Bethany and witnessed first hand the dedicated work by its staff and seen the smiles on the faces of the children I’m sure you will agree with me.

My challenge since my promise to Miss Lynip in 2005 has been to try my very best to help ensure the continuity of Bethany and the great work it does.

I ask those of you who can possibly afford to do so please help us maintain the wonderful tradition of keeping Bethany alive and serving the needs of Filipino children. Whatever you give in the year to come big or small will be cherished and used for the benefit of all. I promise I will keep those of you wishing to know informed of the happenings at Bethany by way of this blog on a regular basis.

I wish you all a wonderful festive season and a happy and prosperous New Year and may your God go with you and care for you always, where ever you are.

UP DATE ON RICKY LOPEZ

Ricky Lopez whom I wrote about previously is coming along in leaps and bounds as the saying goes due to his therapy treatment for his autism being funded by Erin and Rodger Kadey from the USA.

My wife Marilou keeps the Kadeys informed on a regular basis as to Ricky’s progress which has been truly amazing since it began in late 2009.

Ricky has gone from being a disruptive and difficult child to someone who is now willing to communicate with others as well as show a willingness to learn new things.

I have often read and heard of a child’s hidden talent and its all about finding a key to release that talent.

Ricky with his Jigsaw.

Ricky has a talent for completing jigsaw puzzles and the more he does the advance and complex his undertakings become. To watch his face when he is doing these puzzles is a sight to behold and the concentration he puts in is something I never thought I would ever witness from him.

The above is an example of how a child if given a chance can develop despite their handicap. I do appreciate that in today’s world climate finances are tight and giving is extremely difficult however every little counts as Bethany’s needs never go away.

If the burden of care can be shared it becomes less heavy for the individual when spread amongst the many, its better to give $2, £2 or €2 than give nothing at all as when all the donations are counted a Bethany child will truly benefit.