Prayers for Bicol

Many of you may have heard about the recent disaster in the Philippines, Typhoon Durian. This horrendous storm plowed into the Bicol region in a province called Albay. The villages and towns around the Mayon volcano were the hardest hit. I have watched this story unfold with a heavy heart. This far corner of the world holds special meaning for me and I have a great love for the people who live there. I spent the first five months of my mission in the Philippines in the Albay region in a little town called Polangui. Each day I had a magnificent view of the Mayon volcano. I learned to love the beauties of this area, but I also learned of the terrible force of Mother Nature in the "hurricane alley". In November 2005 I lived through my first major typhoon right there in Polangui. I saw massive destruction then, but apparently that was nothing compared to the magnitude of this latest storm.

As we all celebrate the Christmas season in the comfort of our beautiful homes, surrounded by some of the wonderful luxuries life has to offer, please remember the people of the Philippines who are suffering. What little many of the them have to begin with has been destroyed. Many of them have lost loved ones. I know that the Filipino people are resiliant. They make do with little, they live simple lives, and they are remarkably happy. Natural disasters wipe them out time and time again, and yet they continue to pick themselves up and move on. Even with this great strength, I know that they need our thoughts and prayers right now. They are my brothers and sisters of the Naga Mission. As we all turn outward during this time of year to focus on the needs of other, make a little extra room in your hearts for my sweet friends in the Philippines.