(PHILIPPINES) We are happy to be back in Roxas City in the Philippines after our first assignment last December 2013 to February 2014; which began one month after Typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines.

We began our assignment attending a “Team Building” retreat in Boracay.  Upon arrival in Kalibo, we were welcomed back and picked up by two of our original staff members –  Pastor Chris Peneranda and Pastor Elisio Vidal, along with our driver Bogs. It was so wonderful to see them again, and we spent the 2-1/2 hour drive to Boracay catching up with them.

We were very excited to hear about all the good work that’s been happening in the communities we previously worked with, since we had left. Not only could they tell us about the more than 100 new houses and numerous fishing boats and fishing gear that has already been handed over to beneficiaries, but they also spoke about many positive changes in the attitudes of the people in the communities. 

 "We were especially touched by the many people who warmly welcomed us back. They were delighted and proud to show and tell of the many good things that have been happening to them and in their communities."

The “Team Building” retreat was a great orientation for us.  First of all, the Panay team has grown from 5 to 28 staff members with most of them living and working in the various communities.  Wow! It was a real advantage for us to begin our assignment by meeting them all in one place. Many new faces.  Many new names. How, we wondered, were we to remember them all and keep them straight? To help us, Jeff stuck a name tag on everyone’s shirt, but the next day they changed their shirts! By now, thankfully, we know them all by name as well as their position within the team. Secondly, we learned much about what has been accomplished in the field so far, about plans for the future, as well as challenges and resolutions.  We all left feeling encouraged and empowered to move forward together.

However, Friday evening, just after the retreat had ended, tragedy struck.  Our beloved team member Chris Peneranda was killed in an accident as he was riding his motorbike home from Roxas. We had said goodbye to him as he left the office, not realizing which home he was going to.  Everyone on the team was shocked and traumatized upon hearing the shattering news. 

The following week or so was difficult for us all. We grieved losing our teammate and brother, Chris.  Our hearts ached for his wife and four children and some of us wondered how we would move forward without him.  Since then we’ve had  two staff debriefings at the office where team members had opportunity to release and share their feelings.  This helped them gain acceptance of what has happened.  The team has resolved that they will adjust and support each other to ensure that the work goes on.

So far, we’ve visited three of our four communities.  We were delighted to see the many changes and improvements brought about in each one of them.  We saw many completed World Renew houses, others still under construction, as well as numerous fishing boat brightly painted with  the World Renew logo on their sides.  We were especially touched by the many people who warmly welcomed us back. They were delighted and proud to show and tell of the many good things that have been happening to them and in their communities.

Last Wednesday morning, Mr. Steve Chekmar, a Program Officer with DFATD, our Canadian Government funding organization, visited us on a monitoring trip. We took him to Estancia, where we participated in the turnover of 21 completed houses to beneficiaries.

We showed him some of the newly completed houses, other houses still under construction, as well as some of the fishing boats.

November 8th will mark the one year anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda.  Each of our communities is planning special events to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the progress in their recovery. We are looking forward to participating in some of these events.

In summary, we rejoice to see the renewal that has taken place in our communities thus far.  Many people have received shelter assistance, livelihood assistance, and psychosocial assistance.  Healing is bringing about a  spirit of cooperation and reconciliation after the trauma of Yolanda.  We’re grateful to have the opportunity to see the results of almost a year’s good work by the World Renew Panay team. To God be the glory. 

Prayer requests:

  • For the family of Pastor Chris, may they receive support, comfort and strength as they try to move forward without their beloved husband and father.
  • For Jeff Cosico, that he will have opportunity for rest and rejuvenation and that his health will be fully restored.  Also that he will be granted wisdom and strength to deal with the challenges he’s facing in leading the team forward during this difficult time.
  • For the World Renew Panay team that they will work in unity, encourage each other and remain focused on their tasks.
  • For us, that we may be a source of support for Jeff and also be shining lights of encouragement as we touch the lives of others.
     

Blessings, 

Harry and Greta Harsevoort

International Relief Managers
World Renew Philippines