November 1 and 2 were the dates we were supposed to visit the graves of our loved ones who have gone ahead of us and to pray to the saints in heaven for intercession. However due to the pandemic we needed to make adjustments and observe guidelines while visiting cemeteries. But this cannot stop us from reaching our loved ones in prayers to let them know they are loved and are greatly missed.
On the same day, we had to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Super Typhoon Rolly. It was the first strongest weather disturbance of the year. In fact, in October alone, several typhoons happened one after another. All we can do was to take a deep breath and pray, keeping the faith that God is always in control.
Sometimes we feel numb to the storms of life and we no longer feel the pain. We do not even know and recognise what hit us the hardest.
We only realised everything after the storm is gone. From there our eyes were widely opened for its destructions and starts feeling the pain and deep wounds piercing inside us.
The suffering of the people seems endless. But we believe that we can be comforted when the sun rises after the storms. It brightens stormy days.
Yes, hope never forgets to show up. We are often amazed by life on how we manage to survive those difficult times, standing still alive and kicking.
Every waking day is God’s miracle to be grateful, for tomorrow the sun will rise but we may not. Many wish to see the glimpse of dawn but never given the chance.
We can just imagine the destructions Typhoon Rolly brought as a super typhoon: strong winds with huge forces, heavy rains, stormy sea, flash floods, landslides, lahar flows with big stones and other volcanic materials roaring down violently on its paths. The aftermath is devastating. The ground zero looked like a ghost town. Tall trees bowed down on the ground. Houses and properties were reduced to debris, while animals and human are buried alive.
The typhoon victims are empty, hungry and homeless yet are trying to start life all over again. It is really hard but I believe and pray they can. Hand in hand we heal as one as God bears with us.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
May God come to the rescue of the suffering Filipinos and of those around the world in their darkest times and embrace our nation from the wrath of human and natural calamities.
May the Lord put an end to this widespread pandemic. May the faithful departed rest in peace and in the love of God.
Lynn Salinas
The Philippines
