The deluge of typhoon “Tisoy” caused a massive destruction that bought the region of Cagayan Valley into a state of calamity. The major highways and roads to the province was impassable during the height of the storm, threatening all relief efforts. Saviour’s Disaster Relief sent a team on 2 separate occasions on the 10th and 17th December respectively for food, clothes and other necessary distribution to the victims. Their report was heartbreaking as the towns of Sanchez Mira and Pamplona that were reachable were in dire straits. All attempts to Abulog, which was one of the main target area, was not possible at all as the mud flow was knee deep. It was a challenging venture. A total of 6 vehicles carrying 31 sacks of rice, 1000 loaves of fresh bread, noodles, canned goods, blankets, clothes and toys were mobilized in the two trips. We are grateful for the kindness of the members of our church, students and parents of Saviour’s Christian Academy with relatives and friends who gave generously for this cause. The smiles of gratitude on the victims faces brought much joy upon all of us who were apart of this endeavour.
Proverbs 14:31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honours Him. God tells us to speak up and judge fairly, defending the rights of the poor and the needy. Christians are commanded to care for the lost, those spiritually and physically poor because the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. Our evangelism efforts must be coupled with social action. Take the example of Jesus when he fed the thousands, He did not give them a condition if they would first be His disciples. He simply met a need by filling their empty stomachs. So feeding and giving to the poor does not define the Christian; it is part of being a Christian. Whether or not, the recipient is actually needy, taking advantage of us or has other ulterior motives is really not our problem. It is between him and God and he will be held accountable. But as far as we are concerned, we exercise compassion and wisdom in giving to the needy. Jesus taught strongly in Matthew 25 that those who gave to strangers in their need for food and clothing are actually doing it unto the Lord, because they are the least among us. Jesus, the God who owns a cattle on a thousand hills, with the world’s riches gave Himself sacrificially and generously to us in material, spiritual and emotional abundance. He gave to the poor as that is what He taught, thus it is what as believers, we ought to be doing. It is in Christian’s best interest to bless to the needy because “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses, Proverbs 28:27.imHimHiHhH