Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

Well,  I'm sure most of you know about the typhoon that just passed through the Philippines last weekend.  We are safe.  It passed north of us and we didn't even have any rain.

But they say it was the strongest typhoon to ever hit land EVER! 

http://americablog.com/2013/11/haiyan-possibly-largest-typhoon-ever-hits-philippines-200-mph-gusts-amazing-satellite-images.html

And the death toll so far is over 1700 people.  Some sites are saying astronomically high numbers (12,000) which I doubt and pray the actual count won't reach that high.  But considering the number of people that were evacuated, that's a terribly high number.  One of the issues is that when the only savings you have are your possessions, you leave someone behind to watch them.  And those are the people who died.  Most who probably knew they'd not make it.  How terrible!

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/philippines-storm-kills-estimated-10000-destruction-hampers-rescue-efforts/1193465/4

And the devastation was intense!!  How do people find their belongings, is there anything worth saving.  How do you stay safe while digging amongst such sharp and rough debris.  And how do you get medical treatment if you were injured in the storm or after during the cleanup?  And where do you get water and food?  And if you have a loved one in that area, how can you find out if they survive?  The cell towers are still down!

This is a before and after shot of a portion of the coast that I "borrowed" from 

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/12/asia/gallery/typhoon-haiyan-before-after

There are a series of pictures there that truly show the devastation! 

But relief efforts are underway.  People are being fed and cared for.  Is it enough, probably not.  Praise God for those he has gifted with the skills to manage chaos and times of crisis.  

getty images

My prayer now is that people will come to know the Lord through this terrible storm.  But too that we wouldn't forget even after this storm is just a memory.  Many of these people will never be the same.  Their lives have been changed forever.  But also, there will be another storm, another earthquake, another tragedy.  We live in a fallen world, full of sin.  People will hurt each other and lives will be lost.  

I pray that we won't stop giving, and loving and sharing wherever the hurt or need is.  That in our quest for the newest.... or a better.... or a bigger....   that we won't forget the people who truly have nothing and will die without the kindness of fellow men.  That even though the world feels exceedingly small when we communicate via our smart phones and Skype, we are so very blessed compared to some and the world is vast and more importantly different! 

May we all listen to those around us and truly hear the needs that we may share from our abundance in our ups and receive during times of our own downs.