It has been several weeks now since our trip to Guiuan,  Eastern Samar.  The purpose of the trip was to take some building materials not available to them.  Also, we wanted  to see the extent of the damage in the area.  I have tried to explain to Americans the impact of this storm, by comparing the damage to a Category 4 tornado.  However, the difference would be the damaged area is much larger.  This typhoon’s extreme damage covers an area of more than 5 miles wide and extends more than 50 miles across the islands.  Surely by now, you have seen pictures in CNN or some other international news program.  Nothing can prepare you for what reality is when you are actually there.  Nothing is left undamaged and most buildings are completely destroyed.

We, 12 of us including 5 other pastors,   began our trip with the bus of Bible Baptist Temple, Pastor Primo Tabanda. It is not the most comfortable vehicle, but it was durable and carried the materials that Pastor. Tom Raguirag needed to continue to have services until they could rebuild their building that is totally gone.

We spent about 75 hours on this bus for the 6 days of our trip.  I have to admit that it isn’t  the very comfortable ride but very serviceable. Once we entered into Samar, there was no place to eat, or rest, except along side the hiway.  So it was a good thing that we had a small generator and cook stove.  Then we had our “kitchen” anywhere we were.  Gotta eat you know.

After leaving the church in Manila  and beginning our trip, we traveled about  5 hours driving with out stopping.  Eventually,  we came to the dock at the town of Matnog where we were  to take a boat called a “roll on, roll off”.  Locally they are know as RORO ships.

But the purpose of the trip was actually the area of damage in the Island of Samar.  Once in the area and while traveling through, it is impossible to describe.  Even pictures cannot .  As you see the picture below, You can see the complete damage as you look down this street in the town if Guiuan.  At the right picture is what is left of Bible Baptist Church in the town..  Actually, the only thing left is the back wall with the baptistery built into it.  The awning was a gift from the Americans for some shelter.

We are still helping these people try to get some balance in their lives.  This past week we gave our two church in that area, a mechanical hollow block maker. Hopefully that will enable them to make their own, quality hollow blocks and they can build buildings that will not be destroyed so easily.  Of course, that is going to require more money for cement, sand, gravel for the mixture.  Also,  for other simple things like Sunday School materials, song books etc.  We thank Beams Bibles of Missippi, USA because they directed us to give several hundred Bibles to the churches in these areas.

So, if there is anything you would like to do to help In this endeavor, just send it to International Baptist Missions, 4346 N. Galloway, Mesquite Tx. 75150  Make the check to my name and designate it for Samar relief.  That is the address of our home church and clearing house.  We appreciate any generous actions to help those churches to continue reaching people and discipling them for the Lord.