Missionary to the Philippines

Please spread the word!  Help is needed.

As you may know by now, a storm called Ondoy dumped 14 inches of rain in 6 hours on the city of Manila, Philippines,  where sewage and drainage systems were already at capacity from the monsoon season. 80% of the city quickly was under water. Hundreds confirmed dead, with the search for bodies just beginning.

No sooner had recovery efforts begun, and now we face "Parma", a new Typhoon deluge unleashing right now on the island.  (See the video below)

In Manila, food shortages have been a challenge, costs are rising, many are missing, and many have lost loved ones. At present, disease is a real concern. 

Our work continues as we care for the many women and children at Safe Refuge. We have been working hard at recovery. The crisis strained our resources to the breaking and we are asking people to prayerfully consider helping us at this time..

Naomi's update is below.

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CNN REPORTS ON TYPHOON PARMA 

Weekend Update

  • Just as recovery efforts were underway, yet another Typoon is bearing down on Manila. A CNN video is just below.

  • Naomi's latest report from the Philippines is below.

 

 

 

 PRAYER POINTS

  • Please pray for the children of Safe Refuge who have coughs right now. Most of our children have TB so it is dangerous for them to contract other respiratory illnesses.

  • Please pray against illness that could result from contaminated water or the garbage filled streets.
  • Please pray for strength and stamina for the staff and volunteers at Safe Refuge.
  • Please pray for the support necessary to house and feed all of the women and children being cared for at Safe Refuge and Grace House.
  • Please pray for a 14 year old resident who is 34 weeks pregnant and has not heard from her family since the storm.
  • Pray for safe travel and a productive visit for Naomi to the US next week.
From Naomi....

We had been praying for Mica when she was finally able to contact us on Tuesday.  Mica is a former resident of Safe Refuge who had been selling clothes to pay rent for a little tin house in a province several hours outside of Manila. Leaving behind a life of prostitution, Mica was working hard to make a fresh start when Typhoon Ondoy hit and flooded her little home. Miraculously, she was able to carry her two children out on her head and shoulders and get to shelter over a nearby market. I just felt like it was clear we needed to go check on her.

It was a three hour trip through the area hit worst by the storm. All along the way, troops were still recovering bodies. There is mud and garbage everywhere. We saw clothing hanging from trees and signs. There were people setting up “homes” on the side of the road with whatever they had left.

Every few miles we would see a house where we could see into rooms filled with caskets. We saw lots of little caskets. We saw barangay (neighborhood) basketball courts lined with caskets.

The trip was incredibly difficult and the grief was tangible. So many loved ones lost.

When we got to the market where Mica had taken shelter, we trudged through mud up the stairs where many had sought refuge. We gathered Mica and her two children and made the three hour trip through the carnage back to Safe Refuge.

Mica seems different now, extremely humbled. When our older residents have been in prostitution all their lives, it is so hard to reach them. It takes a long time and a lot of prayer for them to comprehend that life can be different for them. That God loves them SO much!

Mica knows that GOD brought her through the flood and sent us to help her. The experience has changed her. Cham, her precious 8 year old, is a very traumatized little girl right now.  Tragically, she saw a truck piled with the bodies of her playmates who drowned in the flooding.

Cham and her baby brother CJ are both sick with coughs. Cham has TB and has not been taking her meds. We have several other babies here with bronchitis, so please pray for them.
Today we were able to pay the rent and then we went grocery shopping, which is really a terrible experience right now but at the same time I am thanking God the whole time that we CAN buy groceries and the girls are all SO HAPPY and aware of what a gift that is when we return with groceries.

Lots of markets were destroyed so the remaining stores are even more crowded. We were finally able to find bread and canned goods. We also got Mica and Cham some clothes because they lost everything.

As another typhoon bears down on the Philippines, we are huddled here at Safe Refuge, grateful to have supplies and food through this storm.

Thank you so much for continuing to pray for us and for those who have lost so much.

Words alone can never express the gratitude we feel.

Love,

Naomi

 

You can read Naomi's earlier report HERE

 

 

Who is Naomi Hamilton?

Naomi G. Hamilton is a Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife who serves as a missionary among the poorest of the poor.

Since 2003, she has lived and worked among the slums of the Philippines.

 

What is "Safe Refuge"?
Safe Refuge is the only shelter in Metro Manila that houses both women and children. Started by Naomi in 2006, Safe Refuge rescues and shelters many women and children who are victims of the Asian sex industry.

 

 

Your help is:
 

  • Feeding needy children  Naomi equips and works with local Filipino believers to provide nutrition to hungry children, providing opportunities to win families to Christ.  
  • Primary Healthcare  Naomi is an RN providing medical care to the needy. Sometimes all that is needed to save a life in the slums is some simple attention.
  • Midwifery Missions  As a Certified Midwife, Naomi provides loving prenatal care and delivers babies for poor women who would otherwise receive no or limited treatment.
  • Safe Refuge Rescuing children and pregnant women who are victims of enslavement and abuse. Safe Refuge houses, feeds, disciples, and medically provides for women as they begin a new life.

 Visit www.missionofdestiny.com

The Fury of Ondoy

 

 

 
Donations may be mailed to

Central Assembly/Naomi Hamilton  6767 20th Street  Vero Beach, FL  32966