October 2, 2009 - Evening

After 2 full-blown relief distributions we were understandably tired. To make matters more interesting, we ended up following this big ole dropside truck that was hauling tons of steel bars down what was surely the narrowest two-way streets in the world. Which was being turned into a four-lane street by oncoming motorcycle riders from both sides. Long story short, what could have been a 30-minute trip back to the school turned into an almost three hour ordeal.

By the time we got back, many of us were ready to call it a day. But we had one last mission to do.

Already waiting for us to get back were 170 more families from the urban poor creekside community that had equally been deluged by Ondoy 3 days earlier. What was significant was, when my wife and the school’s academic head, Ms. Nilda Agabao (or "Miss A", as she is fondly called) made the trip to find a coordinator for the relief distribution, one of the residents there said, “May church pala dyan [sa school]?”

Apparently they’d never heard of Makati Hope, the church. Well now, they had.

Thanks to Engr. Juliet’s quick thinking, the school people were able to set up a very efficient distribution set up – two chain-rail defined areas for people to line up and walk up to the relief-laden table and get their blessings, one central aisle for everyone to exit.

As usual, we started with a short prayer and a proclamation of the Gospel. Once again, many responded in prayer. Then the relief distribution began.

It was one long, tiring, tension-filled day. But what made it all worth it were the smiles on the peoples faces – of gratitude, of joy, of relief.

We give God all the glory for all that was done in His Name and for His Kingdom in the hearts and lives of men that day.

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As of this writing, Ptr. Ed Romero of Jesus Christ the Resurrection and the Life Full Gospel Christian Ministries and his two volunteers are busily carrying out more relief goods, this time for 200 families in the waterlogged Bgy. Janosa on Talim Island, Binangonan Rizal.

The work continues. God alone be glorified!


PHOTO CREDIT: Abby Calvo, MHCS Publications