Love in a Time of Calamity

by Kim April Pascual
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines

Jason is a 13 year old boy I met last week in Iligan City. He was one of the teenagers from Iligan East High School who underwent Operation Blessing's trauma counseling. 

When Sendong unleashed its fury in Northern Mindanao during that fateful Friday night, Jason’s family was one of thousands who climbed their roofs to survive. 

But during the rampaging floods, the roof of their house crashed down. Fighting the currents and pushing their way above murky floodwaters, they were able to cling onto a drifting troso or log to move onto another roof. 

But after a while, this roof also gave out. They swam from roof to roof until they were able to find refuge on a higher one until help came.

It took about six hours before the family was rescued.

As Jason relived that moment, I saw how God has protected his family. While trosos were blamed for this disastrous flood and for the death of many, this has ironically saved his family.

The horror of what happened that night was very traumatic for Jason and for thousands of children in Northern Mindanao. Many got trapped on roofs, others saw their loved ones die right in front of them. Some drowned, while others treaded that thin line between life and death. 

Alone, these children will never move on from this trauma. They need help. More than the warm meals, they need warm hugs. More than the security of shelter, they need to feel inner security that only Jesus can provide.

This is what Operation Blessing is doing for the teenagers and children affected by Sendong. We give them toys, give them clothes, and provide them warm, tasty food. We give them our listening ear, extend our warmest hug, and share their only hope – Jesus.