On November 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines. The totality of damage, loss, and death is inconclusive at this point. However, officials are projecting a death toll of more than 10,000 lives, once the missing persons and the remote areas are counted. Typhoon Haiyan has obviously left a path of destruction that is too gruesome to even try to describe. Noses are full of the smell of death and disease. Eyes see blood and devastation. Ears hear gunshots and cries for help. Bodies feel the pain of injury and hunger. Hearts are broken and confused over their loss. Fear and chaos are reigning.
But our God is the God of peace (1 Thess. 5:23). Our God is the God of comfort (2 Cor. 1:3–5). Our God has not given a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7). Our God is near to the broken-hearted (Ps. 34:18). Our God is the God of hope (Rom. 15:13). Our God reigns (Rev. 19:6).
Life in the Philippines is really hard and most people live below the poverty line. We encourage you to financially give to support our brothers and sisters in churches across the affected areas.
Mars Hill Church is now partnering with Compassion International, an organization which, as their website states:
. . . exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion helps more than 1.2 million children in 26 countries.
Compassion already has “boots on the ground” in the Philippines and we wanted to share an opportunity with you to support those whose lives have been devastated by the typhoon. We encourage you to pray and ask God how you might give generously to love people in a very tangible way from across the world.
Mars Hill Church will be working closely with Compassion International in the months to come, as we hope at our local churches to sponsor thousands of Ethiopian children through their organization. We know Jesus loves children (Matt. 19:14) and we want to echo his love to the world.
Most of all, we ask you to pray for the Filipino people that Jesus would restore them and draw each one of them to himself. May their nation be touched by the Holy Spirit in a very special way.
