Eyewitness Accounts: Updates from Manilla about the flooding

It’s been raining for few weeks but last two days’ torrential rains have surpassed the amount of rainfall during tropical storm, Ondoy, in 2009 which inundated a half of Metro Manila and nearby areas, particularly Quezon city where we are located, according to the media. So, your guess was right. Last night, there was no communication due to the cut-off of telephone and internet. Now the communication is resumed but it will be cut off any time because the rain is still heavy.

Here in the SATS (St Andrew’s Theological Seminary) community, there have been some severe damages caused by this rainfall. One of faculty member’s houses was flooded yesterday by the waist line. Paul and all seminarians went there to move all down stair furniture, books, and appliances to up stairs yesterday morning. I went there this morning to check how they’re coping. Water level seemed go down despite of constant rain last night. Please pray for all the community members who have been severely affected by this flooding and who are helping them, particularly seminarians.

Please also pray for:
1) ceasing continuous rains
2) After rain stop, healty and safety from Dengue mosquito

Charitas (8th August)

Thanks for your concern.  Yes the flooding is serious.  Media are speaking of half Manila being under water.  That is surely an exaggeration, but very many are affected.  The lower part of the compound of St Andrew's Seminary (here) was under water on Tuesday and several homes were flooded out.  One member of Faculty was forced to live on his second floor.  I walked around there and the water was above my knees!!  Our seminarians have been marvellous in moving furniture etc.  The flood has subsided here now (though it continues to rain on and off every day) but many poor homes not far from here have been flooded out.  An American member of Faculty is helping two boys from one such home.

At present the great need is for prayer for the rain to stop to allow things to dry out.  There are no doubt real needs for food and clothing but at this stage it is hard to assess what.  Best to await aid agency appeals (e.g. Christian Aid) and respond to them.  We are not in a position to distribute such things to squatter areas.  Local councils will do that.

Rev Andrew   (9th August)