The following is an email sent to many Compassion employees yesterday by Menchit Wong, our child advocacy director. It contains prayer requests for our Philippines brothers and sisters in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
Dear Friends and Spiritual Family from around the world,
Thank you for your messages, prayers and concern for our current situation in the Philippines. As you know, a super typhoon named Haiyan ravaged the provinces in the central part of our archipelago last Friday. These cities are a plane ride away from Manila, so those of us living in the capital city are safe.
Before the typhoon struck, Christians were praying that the Lord would change the typhoon’s course. As it was however, fierce winds and tsunami-like waves totally whipped these provinces, killing an estimated 10,000 helpless victims. Warnings and preparations for evacuation and relief work were no match for the winds and rain. Many cities now look like no man’s land.
But our Lord is sovereign over all; He never fails us and we believe that as a nation, this is an opportunity to show our spirit of unity, deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and demonstrate our selfless giving.
We have not seen in our history such a generous outpouring of aid and supplies from within the country (through the private sector), and from countries around the world. Everywhere, we see people wanting to help out and give their support.
Please pray with us through the weeks and months ahead of relief, rescue and rehabilitation work, on behalf of the millions of Filipinos who are helpless victims of this tragedy.
These are our specific prayer requests:
- Pray that our Lord will give an extraordinary amount of wisdom, steadfast spirit, keen insight, quickness to respond and political will among our national, regional and local government officials in mapping out and implementing a sustained plan of action for relief, rescue and rehabilitation. Pray that the Lord will give them the mind of Joseph who knew how to direct the people when the seven years of famine struck Egypt. Such was his wisdom that no one lacked. Pray that the millions of aid will be wisely distributed and allocated.
- Pray for our Compassion Philippines Rapid Response Team to be able to carry out relief assistance and to provide comfort, prayers and support to our afflicted children, their families and local churches. Pray for the safety and health of our Philippines Country Director, our Asia Regional Advocacy Director, and the rest of the Rapid Response Team as they are in Cebu and Leyte to carry out relief work.
- Pray that Satan, the Enemy will be ‘padlocked’ so that unscrupulous people/thieves/robbers will not be able to carry out looting, robberies, or resort to killing; pray that no corrupt officials will be able to lay their hands on any of the relief money or goods for their own selfish motives.
- Pray that the Lord will give our Filipino brothers and sisters an unwavering faith in the Lord and that they will receive timely help in terms of food, water, medicines and a safe place to sleep for the weeks and months ahead.
- Pray that the US military personnel sent to help will be able to quickly train Filipino local officials so that all (and not only a few) affected towns and provinces will receive timely relief help. Pray that the aircraft sent to airlift goods and supplies will be safe and will help bring food especially to those towns where people have not eaten a single food since Friday.
- Pray for miracles of healing to those who are ill, and for thousands and millions of Filipinos in central Philippines to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior through the mighty work of the Holy Spirit. Pray that the body of Christ in the Philippines, represented by the thousands of local churches will be a source of sustained blessing to the typhoon victims, in word and deed.
- Pray that as we see the relief work successfully accomplished, we will be able to declare:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21, (NIV)
With sincerest thanks,
Menchit Wong
79 Comments |Add a comment
Susan,
I have posted here before regarding our little girl in the Visares, Capoocan, Leyte. area of the Philippines. She attends the Hill of Zion Child Development Center. I know you’ve said to be patient and I’m trying…
I have a question, through research I’ve come across a group that says they partner with Compassion in this area. It is Christian Church Fellowship International (CCFI). And specifically Bishop Ursulo “Ursing” dela Peña. They have offered to find out and send me info regarding our child. For obvious reasons, I hesitate. But…I thought I’d ask, Are they legit? Can you verify and advise me whether to continue this contact? I so hope you say “yes” but will wait for your instruction.
Thank you again.
-Mike McGhee
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20 KJV)
Mike, I just sent you an email responding to your post.
I am checking on our sponsored child, John Wayne Patrick Roiquero, PH 896-0097. He attends Buasdamlag Child Development Center southeast of Bacolod. Could you please provide an update?
Jana, I was so very excited to see another sponsor with a child in the same center as our child John Erick Estrella!!! We are rejoicing in the news that they are getting aid. We have been praying for all of the Filipino people, especially our children, families and workers of the Buasdamlag Child Development Center. We will continue our prayer support as wait to hear specifics of their wellbeing. Blessing to you.
Hi Jana! I’m sure you’re anxiously awaiting any type of news about John Wayne! We have begun contacting sponsors via phone and email about their child’s status. I’m so sorry that I don’t have more for you right now but regrettably, information is still coming in and we do not have any specific information on John Wayne. We do know that his student center is receiving and distributing relief assistance. As soon as we know John Wayne’s status, we will contact you with that information.
We continue to pray for our child and look for information regarding her safety. I am seeking information about our sponsored child Jenny P Torres #PH9790060. She is part of the Good News Child Development Center. If you have any updates on her status we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!
Hi Jenny! I appreciate your care and concern and for taking the time to ask how your child is doing! It looks like your sponsored child, Jenny (great name!), is in an area that was affected by the typhoon. While we’ve already received quite a bit of specific information on children, we don’t have anything on your sponsored child just yet. As more information comes in, we will contact you personally.
Hello! I too am seeking any information on our child, Arlyn (Sponsor # 1984887). I realize you are likely overwhelmed with questions but if you have any information that you could share on her status or area we would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!!
Hi Jennifer! It looks like Arlyn was affected by the typhoon. Regrettably, we have limited information about specific children at this time. As more information comes in, we will be contacting you via phone or email about her specific status.
We continue to pray for our sponsored child in the Philippines. His name is Jefferson Torres (PH-982-0011). He is a student at the LOC Messiah Child Development Center in western Masbate. We are hopeful we will hear an update on Jefferson and his family soon.
We’re still waiting to hear any news about our sponsored child, Ceferino (PH9610074). He is at the Tingusbawan Learning Center. Could you give us any information that you have? Thank you!
Hi Ron! It looks like your sponsored child is in an area that was not affected by the typhoon. We are still gathering information and we should have specific child information very soon. If your child has been affected, we will contact you.
Thank you, Susan! That is so good to know. I will let the rest of the family know. We’re still praying for the children and their families, and the staff.
Any word on aid to the PH-896 area?
Pam, we know that PH-896 was most likely affected but we do not have any specific information at this time. As more information comes in, we’ll be sure to keep you updated.
Would you have any information on the Pag Asa center in Malinao. How it was affected?
Hi there! We do not have any student centers by that name nor do we have any student centers in Malinao. Do you happen to have the center number or your child’s number?
Do you know if aid has reached the area/center where my child is located PH-896? It seems from some of the news we see on the internet things are beginning to move along.
All,
Hope it’s okay to put this on here. Google has a “person finder” site. I’ve entered our little girl on here. You give as much info as you like, even a picture? and others can add info if they know something? You can request email updates? If you’re like me and helplessly worried sick with prayer as your only source of comfort…you might try this:
http://google.org/personfinder/2013-yolanda/
We know Jesus is with her “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”
Hi Mike! Please keep in mind that Google has not verified any of this information. We will contact you once we have gathered and verified specific information about how your child is doing in the aftermath of the typhoon. Thank you so much for your prayers and your desire to make a difference in the life of a child in need!
Thank you Susan. I understand. I know you will contact us when you know something. This at least this helps me feel like I’m doing something.
Hello Susan, Our sponsored child John is in area PH-896. We, like all the others are just heart sick waiting on word about our children. Can you tell me was his Center impacted and are there any updates on that area?
Hi Pam! I really appreciate your care and concern for your child! I’m so sorry to hear that you’re heart sick for him. 🙁 John is in an area that was directly impacted by the typhoon but regrettably we do not have any more specific information about your child at this time. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child was affected.
Thank you so much for your reply. We are still praying for everyone involved and for the Filipino people. Our prayer is that they survived and God had them firmly in his grasp.
My sponsored child is Jehiel Ph 813-0397. He lives in Canlaon City. Does anyone know how badly that area was affected? Thank you. Prayers go out to everyone!
Hi Cathleen! Jehiel is in an area that was impacted by the typhoon. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child has been affected. Thanks for asking and thank you so much for your prayers!
Thank you so much for the information. I know God is watching over him!
Hi, would you be able to find out about our sponsored child PH-978-0168? Will try to call again in the morning also. Thank you.
Stacey, It looks like Rachelle is in an area that was impacted by the typhoon. Regrettably, we do not have specific information about the status of your child at this time. As more information becomes available, we will contact you if your child has been affected.
Thank you Susan for the reply. Will be praying and keeping an eye out for information.
Hi Susan, if you can tell me about Lovely Mae Hortelano PH-742-0165. She goes to Capstone Generation Child Development Center about 100 km away from Cebu. I called last week and there was no information. Have you heard anything about my child? Thank you kindly in advance!
Teri, your sponsored child, Lovely Mae, is in an area that was not impacted by the typhoon. That’s a good indication that she’s fine. 🙂 However, as more information becomes available, we will contact you if we find that she was impacted at all.
My sponsored child Michael is PH -216-0807. Could someone please let me know if his area has been affected?
Hi Lisa! Michael is in an area that was not directly impacted by the typhoon. Thank you so much for your care and concern for him!
Thank you so much for letting me know. I’m praying for all those affected and for all assisting with relief efforts.
Susan,
Please do you have any information on the area where our child, Carmen PH468-0043, lives?
Hi Larry! It looks like Carmen is in an area that was not directly impacted by the typhoon. Thanks for asking and thank you for the love and concern that you have for Carmen!
I have a correspondent child, PH-742-0045 and was wondering if she is alright
Hi Lauren! It looks like your sponsored child is in an area that was directly impacted by the typhoon. Regrettably, we do not have any specific information about your child’s status at this time. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child has been affected.
One of my sponsored children, Jelly Ann is from the Capstone Generation child development center. From pictures it appears that the Island it is on was in the path. Is there any news about the facility? Our family and friends are praying for the safety of the children and families that Compassion ministers to in the Philippines.
Hi Tracey! Yes, it looks like Jelly Ann is in an area that was directly impacted by the typhoon. I’m so sorry but we do not have any specific information about your child at this time. We are currently meeting immediate needs and gathering information. As soon as we have more information, we will contact you if your child has been affected.
I have still not heard anything from compassion about the Capstone Generation Child development center, or my sponsored Child Jelly Ann Garcia. Is there any news about how things are there? I pray for Jelly Ann and her family often and would love to hear a little encouraging news.
Thanks
Tracey
Tracey, I appreciate your care and concern for your child! We had hoped to speak with you personally with specifics about your sponsored child and left a message on your answering machine on December 20 asking you to give us a call. I just emailed you the information that we have on Jelly Ann so that you’ll have it.
Could I find out about sponsored child PH-701-0009 if her area was affected?
Hi Erica! It looks like your sponsored child is in an area that was directly impacted by the typhoon. Regrettably, we do not have specific information about your child’s status at this time. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child has been impacted.
I heard from Jhovie, who graduated from Compassion last June, her house in Aklan was totally destroyed. They are staying with her uncle right now and praying there will be a way they can recover. Also waiting on word from my sponsored children in PH924, PH809, and PH864. I’m pretty sure the other 4 are safe because they are in the southern part of the Philippines.
I have a correspondent child who lives about 100 km north of Cebu and was wondering if anyone knows anything about that area? She attends Capstone Generation Child Development Center. Thank you for your help.
Thank you so much Susan for all your info and Vicky, you put my soul at peace, thank you! My Antonette Youngod, age 15, mine since she was 7. She was in direct path of Typhoon- In Cebu, she lives outside the area of electricity or running water so she might not of heard the evacuation notifications, I don’t know, I grieve for the lost and am hopefull, in prayer and meditation for my girl. Liz
Requested information about our child Carmen Dadia PH-468-0043 this morning. I have seen responses to other requests since then and would love to know if you have any information on her area.
Our child lives on the plains of Bago City. Could you tell us if this area has been affected? Thank you so much. Our prayers are with everyone there.
Hi Debbie & Sarah! We so appreciate your faithful prayers and loving concern for your child and for the people of the Philippines! It looks like the area your child is in was directly affected by the typhoon. We’re still gathering specific information on how are children are doing in the aftermath of this disaster. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child was affected.
Would like to know if anyone has any info about our child, Carmen Dadia PH-468-0043, or the area that whe lives. Thank you for your help.
Our little girl, lives in Visares, Capoocan, Leyte. She attends the Hill of Zion Child Development Center. All we know is that Compassion will notify us when they know something. I’ve been wearing out Google trying to find anything specific about the area, people affected and the damage there. But having no luck other than to see the path of the storm. Our hearts are sad and longing for news. If anything positive is known…please pass it on.
Mike, I’m so sorry but we do not have much information about specific children yet. However, as you know, Leyte was directly impacted by the typhoon. We have a team that has been on the ground in the Philippines providing assistance to the hardest hit areas. As soon as we have more specific information, if we find your child has been affected, we will contact you.
Susan,
Thank you kindly.
We are so worried about her (PH9330162).
She goes to the Hill of Zion Child Development Center.
We know Jesus is with her…where ever she is. PTL
I see that some people have been given word about the particular area that their child is in. Is there any news about our child’s area? As far as I know he attends the Racham Student Center. Thank you for any info you may have. We have been praying for him, his family and all those affected.
Beth, the Racham Student Center is on Negros and was directly impacted by the typhoon. Regrettably, we do not have any specific information about the status of your child yet. As more information comes in, we will contact you if your child was affected. We have a team on the ground who has been providing assistance and gathering information. It could take some time but as soon as we have more information we will contact you.
Thank you so much for the little bit of info that you have provided. We will continue to pray for our child Mark Lesther Grajo, and his family. My heart is hurting for all affected. We are praying that he is ok, he is such an amazing young man with a heart for God. I pray that everyone got to a safe place before the storm hit. Words can’t express what we are feeling while we wait to hear. Wish we could be there to help.
Hello, please notify us of any updates, any at all, about our child Tyron Kim Gulle, PH-622-0204! We appreciate knowing how his family is doing, the student center (Child Development Center?) is doing and to know he is OK! We are praying, along with thousands of others, and know God sees and is providing! We just need to know he is not starving, homeless, thirsty, sick, etc. The stories we keep hearing about the Philippines is devastating!!
Hello, we are concerned for our sponsored child as well. We understand there are so many sponsors wanting answers and praying, but we would appreciate any information on Tyron Kim Gulle, PH-622-0204. I understand his home is 112 km SW of Butuan and his student center may be in the plains of Barangay Salvacion. ANY news would be fantastic! We just wrote to him, do you know how long it will be before he gets the letter?
Thank You!!
Hi Paul! I so appreciate your concern for your kiddo! It’s true that the reports are devastating but we can pray and trust our Great God! It looks like your child’s area was not directly impacted however the storm was just to the north so they might have gotten some heavy rains and winds as well. We will certainly keep you updated on your child’s status if he was directly impacted. Since the country office in Manila was not affected and is still up and running, my guess is that letters will continue to go with little or no delay. However, we have not received word about this yet. I’d say it doesn’t hurt to keep sending loving letters and they will be an encouragement whenever your little guy gets them.
Please let us know if our sponsored child in PH971 is OK. Also, we had previously sponsored children in PH873 andPH813. Were these areas affected? Thank you so very much.
I appreciate your care and concern for your children! It looks like the area that PH971 is in was not directly affected. However, PH873 and PH813 are in affected areas.
Hello, My sponsored child attends the Padaba Child Development Center. He lives in Guinlajon , south of Legazpi…any word if that is an affected area? (I haven’t been able to keep up with news on my phone as much as I would like to but It has been on my mind and worrying me). I know there is not too much information right now on specific children but at least to see more less how affected his area was. Please let me know if possible
Hi Melissa! I’m happy to help and hopefully I can put you at ease a little! The hardest hit areas are south of Masbate and your child’s area is just north of Masbate. Your child’s student center is also not on our list of directly impacted student centers. -Susan
Hello, We would like to inquire about our sponsored child in the Philippines. We are praying for his safety. His name is Roderick Junior E Sotillo, #PH5620390. We appreciate any information you may have about Roderick and his family.
Thank you,
Cindy Contreras
Hi Cindy! I so appreciate your concern for Roderick. Thanks for asking!
It looks like Roderick’s student center is in an area that was not directly impacted by the typhoon. That’s a good sign that he’s fine. However, we are still collecting information and if we find that your child was impacted, we will contact you.
Mark, Teresa, and all others who sponsor children in the areas of impact – I have learned this only from friends whose sponsored children have been impacted by severe disasters, elsewhere, over a number of years, and I learned it after the earthquake that hit Haiti, almost two years ago: It can take several months–or many months–before Compassion knows about your child, or you might learn relatively soon (several weeks). Please continue to pray, watch for updates, and know that no news may be good news. Compassion will call you if your child is seriously affected, or worse; they will not call you with general updates.
I well understand your sense of urgency to know, NOW. Take your fears for your child, your lack of peace, your growing impatience if the time with no news stretches out–take it all to the Lord in prayer. And may the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, calm your hearts and minds, and give you peace.
Good advice Vicki. I have no children in the Philippines, but I am praying for their safety, and that all sponsors with children there, will get timely answers as to their kid’s circumstances.
I am a corespondance sponsor for Jedah Margaret Bolivar in the Phillipines. Will I receive an update on her and her family? She has a newborn baby brother and I am quite concerned.
Hi Beth Ann! First of all, thank you so much for your commitment to write to, love, and encourage Jedah! Your ministry is a very important part of what we’re doing here at Compassion. We so appreciate you! Yes, we are contacting correspondent sponsors if their children were affected by the typhoon.
No where on the website am I allowed to send a special gift to Jedah. Is there a way that I was not aware of? I was just hoping to maybe send some extra money to her and her family to help them get back on their feet if they were affected. Thanks for all you all are doing!
As the correspondent sponsor, you are not setup to send donations on our website. However, you are more than welcome to call us at 800-336-7676 or email [email protected] to send a gift to your child or her family. We’d be happy to send this for you. 🙂
Agreeing that wisdom and helps may be all that is so needed. Praying that the power of the Lord will prevent evil from prevailing. Praying for health and welfare for the rescuers, for the victims, for the children especially. Praying for warm and dry places to sleep. Praying for the Lord’s sustenance for those who are hungry. And I thank You, precious Lord, for all that You do. You are all powerful, all knowing, and all loving. Amen.
Praying!!!!!!
This is my sponsored girl’s project in the photograph! Praying!
How can we find out if our sponsored child is safe or not?
Is there a process?
She was attending the Mt Olives Student center north of Cebu.
mz
I know where Mount Olives church is. Its just 30 minutes away from where I live. Generally Cebu City has minimal damage. ill ask around for your child. ive a friend in their compassion staff.
Hi Mark! We’ve received word that this student center may have been impacted. We are currently working to provide immediate needs and gather information about the impact of this disaster on the children and families in our programs. As this information comes in, we will contact you via phone, email, or a letter in the mail if your child has been directly impacted.