WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER #YolandaRelief

The synergy that goes into coming together for a united purpose is invaluable.

In the recent days, we’ve seen many come from all walks of life contribute to the relief efforts ongoing to alleviate the pain and suffering of our countrymen in Leyte, Samar, Tacloban, Iloilo, Cebu and other parts of the Visayan region.

While at Victory we try our best to contribute our small part, we realize that what we do won’t even make a dent in the overall picture.

But when we all pitch in, like every brick that is placed during construction, at the end of it all, we see a cathedral or an amazing edifice not because one brick was more important than the other but because each brick was vital to seeing the whole come together.

Just wanted to say thanks to all who have pitched in and continues to do so.

The international relief efforts, big and small organizations, that help mitigate the misery.
The private businesses that have donated, shared, and contributed their resources.
The schools that allowed their students to participate in the repacking, loading and hauling.
The armed forces of the Philippines who did everything possible to help the victims.
The churches that prayed and prayed and prayed for more goods to come.
The bloggers and social networkers who have helped communicate the needs and praise reports.

(Please feel free to add to the list.)

ONE BIG THANKS!

The work is far from over but just wanted to drop a note of appreciation.

 

Pastor (Col.) Dennis Isleta with Lt. Col. Nelson Morales on our first delivery (10 tons of goods) to Tacloban via C130.
My batchmates from high school who pitched in and gathered all they could.
5300 bags repacked the first 7 hours of relief operations
Partnering with Operation Blessing. These goods (6 tons) went to Coron, Palawan and Tacloban.
Youth and children even pitched in repacking.

AN IMPORTANT RELIEF OPS TEAM

As the relief operations goes in full swing, we divided the staff and volunteers of Victory Fort into teams – Admin, Receiving, Storage, Repacking, Transport, Delivery, Volunteer Management, Benevolence, Releasing.

But equally important as those teams is this one critical group – prayer team.

This has been a power source and have become a lifeline for the teams.  Worship and prayer went on pretty much the whole day starting at 9am.

Tonie, our lead campus minister at Spark, shared during our debriefing in the evening that when the supplies would start to run low, just in time, someone will donate. When our bottled water were running low, then someone comes with boxes of it. When canned goods supply were running low, then a family comes with boxes of it.  It was really a sight to see.

Then this morning, we were just wishing for some pandesal because many haven’t had breakfast yet, then BOOM!!! … someone comes with 4 bags of Pan de Manila.  GOD IS GOOOOOOOOD!!!

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking,
and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew 7:7, NLT) 

HOW TO HELP DURING CALAMITY

1. Pray.

This sometimes becomes the last step in the process. But in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are encouraged to pray without ceasing. Which means the first step, succeeding steps and the final step is prayer.

2. Leave it to the experts.

If it’s not your expertise, don’t get involved. I’m particularly talking about rescue operations. You want to add to the solution not the problem. Help in anyway you can but if it is going to endanger you and others, let the experts step in.

3. Text, tweet, post responsibly.

Technology and social media has played a very crucial role during these times. Many have been rescued, assisted, helped, fed, provided for because of social networks.  It has been a major communication tool to donors, volunteers and sponsors.

At the same breath, jokes about other people’s plight is not funny… Seriously!

Also, retweeting old tweets to benefit self is also not beneficial.

Posting/tweeting messages that bring fear than faith is also not helpful.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

4. If it will not help, just zip it.

Nuff said.

5. Just help.

Genuine hearts give whether people find out or not.

This type of event sometimes can be turned into a platform for people to advance personal agenda, cause, plan or scheme.

Just help!

Those who want to help, check out this link if you want to get involved.

http://victory.org.ph/monsoon-relief/

 

You could also go to accredited organizations to help and send your relief goods:

1. Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org.ph/donate

2. Gawad Kalinga http://gk1world.com/ncr-monsoon-flooding.

3. Ateneo de Manila – See details here

4. DLSU USG “SAGIP METRO 3″ – See details here.

5. GMA Kapuso Network Foundation – donate here.

6. CCF Alabang and Ortigas – See details here.

7. LBC stores will serve as a drop-off centers. (for Philippine Red Cross) See details here.

8. McDonalds stores will also serve as drop-off centers.  (Link to store/branch locator)

Remember, it doesn’t matter who gets the credit as long as the job gets done. 

6. Find out important numbers.

Keep important numbers handy.

You’ll never know when you’ll need it or  someone you know will need it.

7. Again, pray.

Keep talking to Jesus under your breath.

He is with you every time and all the time.

“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Please feel free to add to the list. Comment below. Thanks.