Typhoon Yolanda

"It was like a tsunami"
"Philippines Typhoon leaves up to 10,000 dead in Tacloban City"
"destruction"
"Typhoon Haiyan's death toll rises"

These are just some of the headlines on news reports today about Typhoon Haiyan(called Yolanda in the Philippines). Yesterday the death toll was estimated at 1,200 by the Philippines Red Cross, but shot up by almost 900% in just one day. CNN said Haiyan "was 3.5 times more forceful than Hurricane Katrina, which hit the United States [in] 2005." {{where I lived, and where many friends of mine still reside, was not in the direct path of the storm, and received only rains. So, while I am very grateful for this, my heart breaks for the thousands upon thousands who were physically affected.}}

Being on the other side of the world, it's hard to imagine what life is like in the aftermath of such a horrific disaster. Footage and photographs can only display so much. The Chicago Tribune described the scene: "Some sat and stared, covering their faces with rags to keep out the smell of the dead." Smells stay with you, and the smell of death is not one that is easily covered. pray for the survivors. Pray for strength, the will to live, to rescue, to rebuild--not just physically, but to rebuild lives. Sandra Bulling, the International Communications officer for CARE, commented on the loss of boats and crops on the affected islands. "This is really the basic income of many people," she said, and she is so right.


Lest I forget, the Tribune also talked about Vietnam, as they were next to be hit by this monstrous storm. "Vietnam authorities have moved 883,000 people in 11 central provinces to safe zones, according to the government's website." Let's not forget the people of Vietnam, either.

Though I do want to ask you to continue to pray for the Philippines and Vietnam, I do not want to leave you with just another reminder of the outrageous numbers and searing loss. I want to exhort you; find some way to be involved in helping with the relief efforts. There are plenty of places that are doing something hands-on with the survivors and with rescuing.

Here are just a few to get you started looking:

World Vision has started an emergency relief fund for the Philippines- donate here.
You can give to UNICEF's emergency fund here.

SEND International has a fund they are collecting to help 5 partner churches in the affected area.

Previously mentioned, CARE is also helping on the ground in the Philippines.

For even more places to give, Fox News has listed a number of reccommended organizations to partner with,

and so did CNN.

Grace and peace,

Where, in all the world, IS God?

"I’ve curled up in bed, pulled the covers over my head, and tried to pray to a God I felt I’d left behind on another continent." -Shaun Groves, in a blog on the vast experiences of re-entry.

A couple months ago, my eyes read those words then almost began the next sentence; but didn't. After one second of ingesting that statement, I began to sob. But not the kind where you're wailing loudly for the neighbors to hear. It was a silent sob--where you exhale strongly and seem to be caught there for 10 seconds, as the tears flood your eyes. You hyperventilate, choking on air as your chest jolts a few times. tears stream down your face. I continued in this state for a good 5 minutes, intensely whispering, where are you God?? Jesus, I need you! Where are you?? 

What do you want me to do for you?

"We are not the initiators of our experience of God, we are the responders."

It's a Wednesday morning at our women's study on prayer. We're looking at stories of how God had answered specific people's prayers in the past, when it hits me--

1 Kings 3:5 "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, 'Ask what I shall give you.'"

--Boom. the Lord appeared to Solomon. I just have to stop right there. Don't we go to God because there's something we already want or feel we need? I thought that's what prayer was--us approaching God, asking for the things we think we need. Is this telling me that God comes to us and asks us what we want?? Could this really be the case? If so, why?