Manila, Philippines:  As this feature image from our Nazarene Church in Tacloban proclaims, “Great is Thy Faithfulness!”

The Lord has truly answered the world-wide prayers offered on behalf of the Philippines and the other Pacific Islanders in the path of Typhoon Hagupit.

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The storm weakened drastically from a Super Typhoon to a Tropical Storm, as it made landfall on the Philippines. God Answers Prayer!

As of Monday morning, December 8, the storm has literally broken apart as it has come across the nation of the Philippines.  As it approached landfall, it quickly began weakening from a Super Typhoon to a typhoon, to now a tropical storm.  Praise God!

There has still been damage and some loss of life, but it could have been so much worse!

There has still been damage and some loss of life, but it could have been so much worse!

This doesn’t minimize the loss felt by those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, but very few lives have been lost, and reports are coming in that temporary housing built after Typhoon Yolanda, has withstood this storm.

At VNBS, students are cleaning up their storm shelter and returning to dormitories.

At VNBC, students are cleaning up their storm shelter and returning to dormitories.

From Visayas Nazarene Bible College, one of our Nazarene Disaster Response volunteers, Marvyn Marianito, reports, “Bed sheets were folded, flashlights and batteries were returned. Ladies are finally back to their dormitory. Looking forward to a wonderful sleep tonight. Praying for the Philippines and all the Filipino people.”

Nazarene Disaster Response Rapid Assessment Teams are out and about, determining the extent of the damage and the areas in greatest need of assistance.  There are still churches and areas that we have not been able to make contact with.  Updates will be posted as they are available.

Nazarene Disaster Response Field Update:
  • Generally there were no casualties and few injuries recorded. There are a few damaged houses and some infrastructures but generally it is controllable.
  • Roads are continuously being cleared. Some are already cleared. Tacloban airport is now open for Commercial Flights. Iloilo as well and Cebu Ports are still under observation and passegers are waiting for them to open.  Seas are still rough and fishermen cannot go to open sea for fishing.
  • Relief Goods are being distributed by the local government (DSWD), and there are some organizations also preparing.
  • Eastern Samar
    • No reports yet for: Borongan, Balangkayan, Talisay, Salcedo. 
    • Balangiga & Sta Rosa Church:  People are now safe. Local government was well prepared. No electric power as of yet. Roads are passable now from that area.
  • North Samar
    • Still waiting for updates from Rapid Assessment Teams.
  • Leyte Area
    • Dulag: Situation under control.
    • Ormoc: Around 250 families affected.  More information forthcoming.
  • Panay Area
    • Isla Gigantes Churches, Danao Danao, Lantangan, Granada: This area was hit hard.  People have evacuated to caves on the island.  150 families are affected – not enough food here.  This area is in the open sea near Masbate.
  • Teams are further assessing the areas of: Culasi, Logingot, Estancia, DeVera, Progreso,
The World Mission Communications Team is keeping a central page updated with compilations of social media posts from NDR Volunteers in the field.

The greatest concern now is that the remnant of the storm will bring massive amounts of rainfall with associated flooding and mudslides to the more than 7,100 islands of the Philippines.  On the island of Samar, where Hagupit originally made landfall, they reported 395 mm (15.55 inches) of rain within 24 hours.

Please continue to check back regularly for updates and specific prayer requests.

Thank you for your continued concern, prayers and partnership with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.

—- Submission:  Pastor Jackson Natividad, Philippine NDR Coordinator.