Destruction everywhere

pedicure by flashlight

I went out to the Visayas region, to one of the areas that was hit by the recent typhoon.  Words, pictures, nor videos can describe the scene.  It's like a warzone, only there was no war. Homes that were once there are either flattened, barely standing, or have simply disappeared. Schools destroyed. Businesses, gone. You would not dare stay past dusk since electricity is shot.  We took the hard working local staff, who they themselves were personally affected greatly, yet reported to work the day after the typhoon to search for the community members they work with, out for dinner. Very few options available. Rotisserie chicken, turned by hand.  One loud generator, probably for cooking the rice or something, because a meal without rice in the Philippines is not a meal. We could barely hear each other over the loud generator. Inside a small store was a boy doing homework or work of some sorts using a candle light.  The salon next door to our office there was open - a lady was getting a pedicure with the help of someone holding a flashlight.  Amazing.

As difficult as it was to see what had happened, I could not help but be so encouraged by the positive and enterprising spirit of the Filipinos.  They typhoon just came through, but they are back at work, trying to rebuild and get their lives back together. That spirit that's been in the news is real. Hot businesses right now: "charging stations."

 

But the most encouraging glimpse God gave me was this sight below.  It was even more amazing in person. As the darkness was settling in and sun going down, the bright sun shone through that darkness, past the destroyed buildings, downed trees and hanging electrical wires. God is reigning there. His light is and will shine even more brightly there. Grasp onto that hope that He is coming back again to bring true light and life to the broken and dark world below.  It will be ok... more than ok.