Super Typhoon Rai, locally named Odette, left a devastating toll in the southeastern Philippines. It struck last December 20, 2021, killing hundreds of people and causing much natural damage and property destruction. In order to help provide some material relief, The Fatima Center’s Philippines office, directed by Jinky, organized a small task force to help provide material relief. Here is her account of their effort.
Task Force “Typhoon Odette Relief Operation” Mission
Devotees of Our Lady of Fatima, including my family and some friends, joined a caravan of pick-up trucks to go to the Southern Leyte, one of the provinces hit by typhoon Odette. Including military escorts, the mission consisted of 38 rigs/pick-up trucks and three wing vans loaded with relief goods (from different donors). We traveled the 2,313 kilometers by land and 48 kilometers by sea from January 3 through January 9, 2022. These days were spent in traveling and in packing and distributing relief resources. (Note: The military escort and some police officials were necessary because there is terrorist activity in the mountain ranges of Southern Leyte.)
We went to different barangays (or localities) and distributed relief goods like food, water, biscuits, diapers, medicine, construction materials, linens to warm their bodies, and toys for the children.
However, we were not only intent on providing for physical needs. We know that the corporal works of mercy are best accompanied by the spiritual works of mercy as well. Both are ways in which we express our love for God and neighbour – and our love for Our Lady. Therefore, we also packed and distributed plenty of Fatima Center materials. It is our prayer that everyone who received some material aid realizes it comes from the love of God and that many will respond with gratitude to Our Lady of Fatima.
My husband and I were also very thankful that we were able to bring with us our two daughters, Nicole (21 yrs. old) and Monique (16 yrs. old), and our grandson, Louis (8 yrs. old). The young people were very eager and joyful in helping the efforts of the mission. I’m so happy to see that despite the pandemic we have going on right now, these ‘soldiers for Christ’ were not scared to help and be with people. We know that God is always with us.
As our vehicles traversed the many miles, it was so heartbreaking to see people, especially children, holding signs begging for help, food and supplies. May our good God have mercy on them!
We also had courtesy visits to the Counselors and Governor of the province. They thanked us for the things we did. They also served us food as a token of their appreciation.
During the mission, we spent some nights in hotels and others at campsites. We often arrived late at night and would then get up very early to continue the mission. It was indeed a very tiring journey, but such a fulfilling one. I am sending along numerous photos of our mission. If you deem it worthy, please feel free to share these pictures and my report with all the supporters of The Fatima Center. May they know the good which has been accomplished through their love, devotion and support of Our Lady’s Apostolate. Working together, as the Mystical Body of Christ, we can accomplish much!
I close my report with a happy heart. I am humbled, grateful and proud (in the Christian sense) that God allowed us to help and serve our fellow Filipinos in the time when they were most in need.
Thank you, and may the Good Lord bless us all.
In the love of Our Lady of Fatima,
Jinky
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