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Updates Oct 5, 2009 : If you are moved by love & compassion to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines, please follow this link. We would like to thank Ms. Lhen de Vela Cruz for allowing us to reprint her story in our website. We give back all the praise & glory to Him alone for keeping her family safe! We pray that you will be blessed by Lhen’s testimony and know that the Lord is faithful even in the midst of any storms.

After a successful mission outreach in Vietnam and Cambodia from Sept. 19 to 26, 2009, came the testing of faith.

The team arrived from Vietnam on Saturday, 26 July at 2 pm. However, the plane was diverted to Iloilo because of the bad weather. While in Iloilo around 3:00 p.m. I was able to contact my daughter who said that the flood waters came inside the house and it was chest deep. I got worried as only my four children and my househelper were there. Both Opert and I were out. Opert was to pick me up from the airport and was stranded somewhere with the car. According to my daughter flood waters came in an instant and they were not able to save much. My son and helper were able to lift only the refrigerator on the kitchen sink. All other things and appliances floated in the waters.

The plane flew back to Manila at around 5:15 pm. However, due to the traffic at the tarmac, we were cleared to leave the plane only at 9:00 p.m. By which time, it was no longer possible to go home as most of the streets around the airport were already unpassable. We had to stay at the airport for the night. At that time I could no longer make communication with Opert nor my children and my cell phone already went dead. There is nothing more to do but pray and trust God that He would protect my family.

Early the following day, Sunday, Sept. 27, we were able to get a cab from the airport. I left my luggages with my companion, Ptr. Malou Canafranca, and headed for home. God provided vehicles for me to ride on and reached the foot of the bridge of floodway Manggahan. From there I walked on foot till I reached Magsaysay St. towards Karangalan Village. I found people standing still as there was already flood waters on the street. People were confirming that the water was neck deep and towards Gate 5 of Karangalan where I need to pass through was much deeper.

The Lord provided somebody, a churchmate who helped me pass through the flood waters. I put my backpack on my head and this churchmate held my arms. The current was strong and I found it hard to walk into the waters. I prayed for God to give me the strength and to protect us. I keep reciting Psalm 91… “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty…..”

I reached the corner of Gate 5 of Karangalan and Imelda Avenue after about an hour. I parted ways with my churchmate as he would go the opposite direction. This time I had to wade through the waters in Imelda Avenue which was also neck deep. A relatively older man offered to hold my arms and helped me get through. He was on his way to Antipolo. I had to hold on to the grills on the middle of the road for safety. My heart sank as I reached gate 3 of Vista Verde subdivision where I live - - it was like a big sea! Nevertheless, I told myself, I am already several blocks from my house. I need to reach my house and find out what is happening to my children!

I talked to another man to help me cross the flood waters. With a piece of plastic container in his right hand and his left holding my arms, we wade through the flood waters again. Several times I need to tip-toe otherwise I will drink the flood waters as it has reached my nose. At other times I feel my legs hardened and could no longer make a step. I asked God to give me the strength. Finally, for another 45 minutes, I was able reach my house! Praise the Lord! Seeing all my children safe gave me a relief!

This was the sight inside my house when I came.

When the water receded, Monday morning, I guess (I already lost track of the day), it left tons of mud, destroyed appliances and damaged properties.

Nevertheless, I am still thankful that God had protected my entire family and no lives were lost. Most of all, I am grateful to God for keeping me safe and protected while I waded through the flood waters. Realizing what I have done, I could have been washed away by the strong current (and I don’t know how to swim!) or may have drown. But God in all His mighty power, His grace and love have kept me safe and protected. I owe Him again my life.

It may take a while before everything will go back to normal. It may take several weeks before we could wash away all things and put them in proper order. But that is ok. The important thing is WE HAVE SURVIVED THE STORM WITH GOD’S GRACE!

Thank you everyone for your prayers, your text of love and concern, the drinking water and the food you provided, and most of all your messages of hope and encouragement. Your love has made us stand still in this circumstance. God had seen the seed you have sown to me and my family, and I am confident that God would return the seed you’ve sown more abundantly.

Join me as I praise and thank God for His goodness!

“All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.” - Romans 8:28

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men of those who take refuge in you.” - Psalm 31:19

Let us continue to pray for those who were badly affected. God bless us all!

Lhen de Vela Cruz and family
(Opert, Jeremy, Jemima, Hannah and Jezreel)

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