by Lorine Parks

Even Paradise has problems.  So mused our speaker, Greg Welch, as he swam in the crystal tropical waters of the Philippines where his church mission group was cleaning up after Hurricane Yolanda.

 

Super-typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines in November of 2013, leaving behind death and disaster. Greg’s church, Calvary Chapel of Downey, sponsored a task force a year later, to help rebuild the town of Borongan, capital of Eastern Samar province. 

The team, made up mostly of pastors, tackled the problems of broken plumbing, torn up roads, and a blocked harbor.  Greg showed us colorful pictures of rubble in the harbor and the shanties people had made for themselves for shelter.   Children worked along aside their parents, and Greg’s group had brought toys for their spare moments at the end of the day.

To get to Borongan, the missionary group had to travel six hours by “jeepney” on roads so pitted they could only average thirty miles per hour.  Then it was another six hours up river by boat, to another remote village, Lacawogan, where their help was needed also. 

Core values which are also taught in schools there include excellence, integrity and accountability.  Greg showed us a large Rotary road sign that listed the four-way test.  The sign explained that that road’s being repaired and rebuilt was “funded by the American people.” Thanks Greg, for representing us so well.