2013 JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS: THANKFULNESS TO GENEROSITY

Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

2013 JOURNEY TO CHRISTMAS

THANKFULNESS TO GENEROSITY

 

Today, my daughters and granddaughter's photo appeared in the Kansas City Star, in a section about thankfulness.

Daughters Faith and Sarah and Granddaughter Megan.  Copyright 2013 Marcia Norwood

Kansas City Star, Monday November 25, 2013

We are thankful.

God, Help us be generous.

We we will not ignore those who are suffering...like the people in Tacloban, Philippines.

 A  PRAYER

Teach me, Lord Jesus, to be generous: 
to serve You as You deserve; 
to give, not counting the cost; 
to fight, not heeding the wounds; 
to toil, not asking for rest; 
to labor, not seeking any reward, 
save that of knowing that we do Your will. 

Amen. 

Typhoon Haiyan brought terrible destruction to the Philippines. Thousands are feared dead. Five million children have been affected by the typhoon.

Typhoon Haiyan, among the most powerful in history, slammed into the eastern Philippine city of Tacloban.

Tacloban, a once-thriving city of 220,000 was hit by winds far more powerful than those of Hurricane Katrina when it made landfall near New Orleans in 2005.  

New York Times:  

Struggle for Survival 

in Philippine City Shattered by Typhoon

CLICK on the link or COPY & PASTE the link in your browser: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/world/asia/philippines-storm-surge-leaves-scenes-of-devastation.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

My friends, Dan and Tori Beaver and Mike and Kathy Hart live and serve in the Philippines through First Love International.    (I taught at Independence Christian School with Dan and Tori in the 80's.  Kathy attended ICS, and her mother also taught there.) 

Here's a first-hand report that I received today, November 25, 2013, from Dan Beaver, Director of Boracay and Panay Island Ministries, and Task Force Tacloban, First Love International.  

If God leads you to help those suffering in the Philippines, your money is well spent with Dan and Tori Beaver and Kathy and Mike Hart. 

"I feel as if I am in a war zone or in a screen from an 'End of the World' movie...   every house and   tree is reduced to rubble...   there is nowhere to look where my heart is not moved"   Olivia Bauman - First Love International Missionary Imagine vast stretches of towns and cities having been obliterated off the face of the earth.  A sight so devastating and unfathomable that one can not understand exactly the brevity of such destruction, until one personally beholds it . . . giant trees toppled, concrete power poles snapped in half, large steel structures crumpled. The destruction from the super typhoon was truly devastating. For the past few days, my heart has burned with grief and sorrow as our First Love team and I have viewed miles and miles of flattened homes, neighborhoods and cities, as a result of the worst storm calamity ever recorded.  20 ft ocean surges came in and swirled like gigantic washing machines over towns and villages.  The loss of life is incomprehensible. The stench of dead bodies still lingering throughout the city.  I stood amazed at the destruction from the winds and tidal wave surges.  - There is one pastor who lost his pregnant wife and their toddler child, and yet after the storm, he continued to help others in need.  - A young male teacher heroically rescued four female teachers trapped inside their classroom as the water was rising.  He risked his life to save others.   - Out of a family of 10, only one survived.     - Reports are that all the babies in the maternity ward of the hospital were swept away when the tidal wave came in and flooded the hospital. - Widows and orphans so numerous.  We are compelled to pray for these. These are just a few of the many gripping stories.   Geo, his mother and the rubble directly behind us was their house.  Geo explained to us what happened when the tidal wave surge came and covered their neighborhood. He and some other strong swimmers were able to save women, babies and children during the terror.   Many have come to the rescue, bringing mass amounts of food and disaster supplies.  The US military has brought thousands of tents and pure water.  The compassion of people and organizations from all over the globe is bringing more and more food and survival supplies. Dan and First Love team handing out survival supplies to hundreds of hungry, thirsty people.   'HOW CAN WE MAKE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT and LASTING IMPACT?' Although our First Love team will continue to bring in supplies, we have asked the question, "How can we rebuild lives and make the most significant lasting impact?"  We know that as the towns and cities rebuild, most of the money will go to rebuilding government buildings and infrastructure, but sadly, many of the needs for the poor will not be addressed.  This will be our target; to rebuild for the poorest of the poor!   Vice Mayor Sambo of Tacloban and Dan Beaver listen while Dr. Tom Clinton, Executive Director of First Love International, explains our desire to make a lasting impact.   OUR PATH FOR REBUILDING LIVES First Love will continue to bring in relief goods and set up more long term feeding centers, linking with Tacloban Bible Church and several partnering churches in the areas of great loss.  Our partner, ATS, Asian Theological Seminary has assured us that they will be sending crisis counselors into Tacloban and Samar to help with those who are so emotionally and spiritually traumatized.  They are even at work right now training more pastors and lay Christians for this important need. Now most recently, we have implemented a construction team to help rebuild and construct simple homes for the poor.  We are starting with members of churches and their neighbors as localized outreaches.  Some of these homes will double as house churches.   Some of you are coming to assist us at the feeding centers and for the construction of homes.  For this, we are so grateful for the help.  How much more will you impact those who have lost everything, including their families? This is just the beginning of rebuilding lives in the midst of gloom and destruction.  This crisis is far from over.  We are in this for the long hall as God supplies.  If you are moved, partner with us.  PLEASE donate. For those who have already given funds we claim Hebrews 6:10. Thank you for your prayers as well. Dan Beaver  Director of Boracay and Panay Island Ministries Task Force Tacloban First Love International  Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.  2 Cor. 1:7 Donate at http://www.FirstloveInternational.com Designate: Task Force Tacloban Facebook Task Force Tacloban Share Forward to Friend Copyright © 2013 On the Rock Ministries, a Ministry of First Love International, All rights reserved. http://www.serveinboracay.org/ Our mailing address is: On the Rock Ministries, a Ministry of First Love International 1194 Bismark Way Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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Marcia Norwood
America's STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking 
 Proverbs 19:17 
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Isaiah 58:10 

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.