Written By Sheena Ferrer, Writer, CBN-Asia
Days after typhoon Mario caused flood that tore through cities and towns in the Philippines, many families are still struggling to get their normal life back. Aside from devastating scenes of flooded houses and ruined furniture, thousands are also looking forward to the day when their basic needs will be met in Cainta, Rizal.
With the aim to help lessen the number of people who need decent meals, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, conducted relief efforts and medical missions, and distributed bags of steamed corn to the typhoon Mario- affected individuals in Rizal.
Ning Pineda, 50, is among the recipients of Operation Blessing’s (OB) relief effort conducted at Anak Pawis covered court, San Andres, Cainta, Rizal. Together with her children, she rallied to the covered court to line up for food and relief goods. Just like the other people waiting patiently for their turn, she also expected to get a pack of goods and go home with something delicious to cook.
More than just a makeshift home
When it was Nanay Ning’s turn to get her share of goods, she was surprised that OB also distributes medicine and that the pastors were also present to pray for her, “I didn’t know what to say when the pastor asked me what I wanted to tell God. I was caught off guard when he smiled as he listened to what I was trying to say.”
She continued explaining that no one has ever offered to pray for her; that she never once thought that someone is there to listen intently to her lamentations. Aside from filling their tummies with steamed sweet corn, Ning shared that, “OB also fed our souls and made us happy. All the staff and the pastors were really friendly and they treated us like family.”
Ning explained that their stay at the barangay’s covered court that day made them feel more at home because of their visitors — the Operation Blessing team. She felt blessed to have stayed under the same roof with people who were able to extend help to strangers and introduce Jesus to those who are seeking for Him.
Through the help of volunteer doctors, nurses, donors, and faithful partners, 208 individuals benefited from the medical mission, and 800 individuals were fed that day. From the week-long disaster response efforts of OB, thousands of families were prayed for, over a hundred kids and parents were given medical attention and thousands of relief items were distributed to several villages and towns around Cainta, Rizal.
Because of your sacrificial giving, Operation Blessing was able to extend help to Filipino families who badly need them. Please call or text: (+632) 477-7806/ 0920-4975558/ 0922-8036922/ 0917-5812603. Together, we INSPIRE CHANGE!