PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES - Mission Focus 1128, David and Pat DePew

January 26, 2020

The hazardous Taal Volcano is located on an island in the Philippines around 40 miles south of Manila the center of Lake Taai. On January 12, 2020 erupted sending steam ash up over 32,00-49,000 feet above the volcano. The initial eruption has continued with ongoing explosions and earthquakes.  It's a caldera volcano (a volcanic crater that has a diameter many times that of the vent and is formed by collapse of the central part of a volcano) that last erupted in 1977.  More than 450,000 people are estimated to live within the volcano's danger zone and authorities have warn them that they need to leave the island..  Thousands of people living on the shores of Lake Taal have been evacuated due to the threat of a potential tsunami in the lake if a larger eruption occurs. The ash spread more than 62 miles north of the volcano, reaching Manila, where it forced the international airport to close. More than 500 flights were canceled.  Many of the people that have been evacuated are panicking as they want to return to their homes to rescue their animals which is their main livelihood. Due to the volcanoes unpredictable activity they cannot return. The lava, combined with rising magma levels, means another eruption could occur any time or weeks away.  Because it is surrounded by water, the Volcano can produce toxic gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide producing toxic gases .  These can cause respiratory , skin and eye problems.  Unfortunately the region’s agriculture, animals and a large number of homes have been destroyed or affected.

Christians are extending their help to the people evacuated. One Christian Missionary working with these people stated, “This situation is still unfolding, so it needs your continued prayers. PRAY for the people to be firmly united and hopeful in the situation.  Christian groups, like Asian Access are opening their retreat area to minister to a number of people with shelter, food and water. The UN is helping with evacuation efforts; over 38,000 people have been relocated so far.  People supporting their families through jobs in agriculture or tourism face an extremely uncertain future. Ask the Lord to calm feelings of fear and anxiety. PRAY messages of God’s protection and providence will resonate with people in need.  PRAY the people will be united in helping each other to understand that they cannot return to the Island due to the dangers.” PRAY for resucers and medical staff administering to the needs of the people.  PRAY that the people remaining on the islands will not hesitate to leave and that they will safely be evacuated.  PRAY the hazardous eruptions from the Taai Volcano will cease.”

If you would like to help:

ASIAN  ACCESS    www.asianaccess.org/latest/blogs/mission-network-news-blog/1679-taal-volcano-poses-ongoing-threat-believers-offer-help-hope

MORE ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

Population is about 97 million. The country is made up of 7,250 islands, of which over 700 are inhabited, 11 of which contain the vast bulk of the population. The largest are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south.  About  94 % of the population identify as Christian of which most are Catholic.  Almost 5% are Muslim and the remaining 1%  have no religious affiliation. It is the only Christian nation in Asia and has the third largest English-speaking population in the world.

The following are specific prayers requested by Church leaders in the Philippines: 

PRAY for the church to stand firm on biblical truth and to be unified with one another.  Pray that churches will work together effectively in transforming society.  PRAY for more Filipino churches to raise up and send out missionaries committed to worldwide evangelism. PRAY for political stability throughout the country. PRAY for effective outreach to Philippine Muslims that they will know the Living Lord and PRAY that the increase activity of Muslim extremists will stop. PRAY that the Philippine people will find comfort in the Lord for what they need as many face the challenges of poverty each day.  PRAY for honesty, justice, and fairness to replace corruption and greed in all levels of the government. 

From Asian Access Phillipines Leadership

Barely 2 weeks into the year, and calamity after calamity befalls us. The world is burning, from the Australian bushfire, to the Iran-American standoff, the shooting down of the Ukrainian passenger jet, to the flooding and landslide in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Indonesia. The earthquakes in Puerto Rico, Southern Mindanao (Philippines), and a "Christmas typhoon" in the Visayas region of the Philippines, and now the eruption of Taal Volcano.

Last January 12, with little warning, the dormant Volcano, known to be the smallest in the world, spew a column of ash and began to erupt. The ash fall reached our area despite being 70 kilometers away. After 5 days, Taal continues to emit clouds of smoke and debris. Around 50,000 people have been displaced by the eruption (these are only the ones in the evacuation centers) and more than P500 million pesos worth of crops ruined. Not to mention all the homes that were damaged by the ash fall. Five days since it erupted, and still there is no end in sight. 

Historically, this volcano has erupted in 1754, 1911, 1965 and 1977. In 1754 it erupted from May to December. We are earnestly praying that it does not take that long before it subsides. 

All the more, we need to work harder for the expansion of God's kingdom, before the door closes. Your prayers and support allow us to reach more people for Jesus as we train and mentor more pastoral leaders, church planters, and lay leaders to effectively preach the gospel and shepherd the church.