Yolanda Disaster Response - Post #1

Typhoon Yolanda. The most powerful storm to make landfall in recorded history. Sustained winds of 167 mph and gusts of up to 193 mph bending steel frames as if they were made of wire and snapping palm trees in half like toothpicks. Storm surge as high as 21 feet for several miles inland, washing cars up into the trees. Category 3-disaster zone (the most severe rating). 6,201 confirmed deaths, 1,785 still missing. 1,140,332 homes destroyed or partially destroyed. 235,000 pregnant and 170,000 lactating women. Average of 800 births a day in the affected regions, most considered high risk and without access to a midwife or skilled birth attendant. Mercy In Action responds. A damaged elementary school conference hall turned 24/7 Delivery Clinic and primary health care center, serving the people of Dulag in the hardest hit province of Leyte, Philippines. Eight weeks. 339 pregnant women identified in the immediate surrounding areas. 95 deliveries in 60 days. 1,307 primary healthcare visits. Over 3,217 individual encounters and lives touched by individual personalized prayer.  Local Filapina midwives and nurses hired, trained, equipped and empowered to carry on the services long after Mercy In Action leaves the area. 

The opportunity to serve in the disaster zone as a volunteer nurse came the day after my final academic intensive midwifery exam. The resounding "yes" in my heart to respond to the invitation was confirmed many times over through the immense support of individuals. My family supported my decision with blessings even as the holiday season was upon us. Within 10 days, I had finished school, sold my car and bought a ticket and was on my way to Tacloban, Philippines to join Mercy In Action in their response to the massive disaster that had swept through the province just 3 weeks prior. 

I had never been part of a disaster response team before. I had many feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty and unpreparedness. However, I did know that the Lord had told me to “do it afraid” and that word gave me a supernatural empowerment to move forward beyond my natural understanding and comfort level. There were no false reassurances from Him that I would avoid difficulty and trials. In fact, I knew that I had no guarantee of anything. The Lord seldom calls us to a life of comfort and safety, but more often to one of risk and vulnerability as we step out beyond ourselves in to the things that He has already exhorted us to pursue. 

And so my story of living and serving in the disaster zone…

First of all, I owe an apology. I have been living in a very different world for the past two months and have had very little time or opportunity to connect with the outside world. Other than a supply run, a hot shower and a quick internet blurp from Manila right before Christmas, I have had very limited ability to send out thorough updates and communication with home. I understand this may have caused varying levels of distress and concern. However, your prayers have carried us through some difficult weeks, and although I was not able to communicate directly, I trust that the Lord gave you reassurance of our well-being and direction on how to pray. I know that many things were diverted through your faithfulness in prayer and intercession on our behalf. As I said earlier, there is never an absolute guarantee of anything especially in these types of situations but I felt that the parameters of our camp and even the town we were residing in had a wall of protection around it and other than experiencing the inconveniences and discomforts of an extended camping adventure, we all stayed healthy with limited episodes of emotional breakdowns, which we all had in turn but tried not to have simutaneously!  :) 

It will take me a few days to catch up on the past 2 months. Rather than writing one long update, I will post several over the next week or so.

To be continued…

Mercy In Action base camp at San Jose Elementary school in Dulag, Phillipines