Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines

by David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator (November 16, 2013)

We have been once again stunned by the magnitude of devastation wreaked by a natural disaster, as one week ago Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) swept across the Philippines.  Consistent with the response of the church to past disasters of such magnitude, there seems to be a ground-swell of longing to help.  We praise the Lord for this visible demonstration of compassion welling up in His people, driving them to seek ways to reach out to those who have lost so much.At this time, the OPC does not have direct work in the Philippines, but we have found that several of our sister churches (PCA, URCNA & RCUS) do have mission works there.  It is apparent that some of those are close enough to the disaster to be able to bring a ministry of mercy to those in their area.Since there appear to be churches and organizations among our reformed brothers to whom we could send funds with confidence that they will be properly administered in the name of Christ, the CDM is willing to receive funds designated toward Typhoon Yolanda Relief.  Since the CDM does have some existing funds with which to work that are budgeted for disaster response work, this fund is not being established for the sake of active solicitation of funds.  Rather, this fund is meant to be a means for those who desire to contribute toward this particular disaster, to do so through the church.We will be working in the coming weeks to further establish these contacts in the Philippines and better understand the ministry they plan to bring.  This information will be communicated to the church on the www.OPCSTM.org website, in future S.T.O.R.M. Reports, and on the OPC Disaster Response Facebook page.Please note that, while the Committee on Diaconal Ministries will endeavor to use all the funds designated for this particular disaster towards relief and rehabilitation in the Philippines, any funds that remain unused after 2 years will roll over into the CDM's general Disaster Response Fund.As you pray for the victims of this horrible disaster in the Philippines and for the relief workers and missionaries laboring there, please also remember to pray for our committee and our disaster response efforts, that we may be diligent in these efforts to partner with the work of our sister denominations as they strive to carry out an effective ministry of mercy in the name of Christ.Gifts should be made payable to: "Orthodox Presbyterian Church"Gifts should be noted for: "Typhoon Yolanda Relief "Please mail to:The Administrative Offices of the OPCAttn: CDM607 N. Easton Rd., Bldg EWillow Grove, PA 19090