To family and friends,
If you have been following our Facebook and/or watching our Blog - you’ll know we have been very busy, since we have gotten here in the Philippines. With everything else we have had an earthquake in South Central Philippines and the super typhoon (worst ever in all of the century) in East & South Central Philippines. Both were major disasters, with thousands of deaths and... even more loss with major damage to properties. We have luckily missed both of these disasters so far, both were on other islands in the Filipino chain of the country, but our responding and attempting to help have occupied a great deal of our work time. The body counts continue to increase on the typhoon nearly every day, there were entire smaller islands wiped clean of both people and all of the structures. Life in these areas is somewhat returning to normal, or what they say is normal, but it will take many years before what we call normal to be restored. It was several weeks before even the public airport in Tacloban could handle any civil (public) traffic and begin to assists with transporting the wounded in bringing them to safer situations and brining in outside health assistance. We (in our Public Affairs office) work individually with NGO’s, local and federal politicians, business leaders, and whomever will help to further the cause of helping, no matter what they religious background, if they are willing. In fact, our Church is helping to rebuild the oldest Catholic (over four hundred years old) Church in the region with giving them supplies and some funds, for reconstruction. In short, life is very, very busy but we are loving it! No time in our schedule - to worry about the (over the top) crazy traffic, or the terrible smog each day, and water pollution or the other 15 million people who live here with us in Manila. May the Lord bless, protect, help and support you in all your righteous endeavors. And may the next few years be good for you, as this coming to the Philippines, has been for us!
With Love on this special Christmas Day!
If you have been following our Facebook and/or watching our Blog - you’ll know we have been very busy, since we have gotten here in the Philippines. With everything else we have had an earthquake in South Central Philippines and the super typhoon (worst ever in all of the century) in East & South Central Philippines. Both were major disasters, with thousands of deaths and... even more loss with major damage to properties. We have luckily missed both of these disasters so far, both were on other islands in the Filipino chain of the country, but our responding and attempting to help have occupied a great deal of our work time. The body counts continue to increase on the typhoon nearly every day, there were entire smaller islands wiped clean of both people and all of the structures. Life in these areas is somewhat returning to normal, or what they say is normal, but it will take many years before what we call normal to be restored. It was several weeks before even the public airport in Tacloban could handle any civil (public) traffic and begin to assists with transporting the wounded in bringing them to safer situations and brining in outside health assistance. We (in our Public Affairs office) work individually with NGO’s, local and federal politicians, business leaders, and whomever will help to further the cause of helping, no matter what they religious background, if they are willing. In fact, our Church is helping to rebuild the oldest Catholic (over four hundred years old) Church in the region with giving them supplies and some funds, for reconstruction. In short, life is very, very busy but we are loving it! No time in our schedule - to worry about the (over the top) crazy traffic, or the terrible smog each day, and water pollution or the other 15 million people who live here with us in Manila. May the Lord bless, protect, help and support you in all your righteous endeavors. And may the next few years be good for you, as this coming to the Philippines, has been for us!
With Love on this special Christmas Day!
Mike
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