feeding the hungry

On December 4, 2012, Typhoon Pablo hit Mindanao, resulting in the deadliest and costliest storm ever to impact the Philippines. Over a thousand people died, hundreds of thousands were left homeless, millions were left without a livelihood and over 5 million people were starving. 

Peacebuilders Community (where we interned in 2008/2009) initiated a major relief operation during the two months to follow, delivering food to thousands of families. When my parents came to visit, my Dad and Darnell went to Mindanao for five days and participated in one of the relief waves. There was also terrible flooding in Davao on their last day there, so instead of a relaxing day, they helped distribute relief once again. 

Here's a few photos of their experience...

The people were organized and ready with tickets in hand. Peacebuilders Community
 staff are very experienced in relief delivery and they efficiently organized and distributed
goods for 300+ families within 2 hours. Many people walked 6 hours to get here.

An example of the distruction brought about by flooding. The problem isn't just the
flooding but the debris, rocks and trees in the water that does so much damage.

Many helping hands!

Darnell used his muscles to help distribute goods.

Dann Pantoja, Gerd Bartel and Darnell. My Dad is a close friend of Dann's and was a
co-founder of Peacebuilders Community.  Its always special for them to reunite. 

The morning after the relief wave, they woke up to news of terrible flooding in Davao.

They drove around Davao scouting out the needs with Peacebuilders
Community field staff, deciding where the remainder of the donated goods would go. 

By midnight around 1000 families, from 3 different evacuation centers,
had been served by PBCI. 

We are so thankful for Peacebuilders Community and the way God is using them to help provide food and shelter to people in need. While they are not a relief distribution center, their "community seeks to actively embrace people through wholistic ministries regardless of faith and views because [they] believe that Jesus Christ who is the core of our mission cannot be separated from Peace. In his life, Jesus Christ fed the hungry, healed the sick and comforted those who mourn." Amen to that, right?!?!?