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Where Do I Begin? Wordless in November.

This is by far the longest period that I did not post an update for this blog.

I was supposed to publish a post on the first day of  November but the subject is quite sad.  It talks about death.  I delayed the posting of that draft.

I then revised the said draft.  I successfully added more sense to it plus a bit of happiness (and celebration) on this post that first drafted as “sad”. 

Then came typhoon Yolanda (International Codename: Haiyan) – with the unbelievable and heartbreaking devastation it brought to my “kababayan” particularly in the Eastern Visayas. 

I followed every news update about typhoon Yolanda’s aftermath in spite that sometimes it is unbearable to watch.  Each time that I watched, heard or read about it there’s an instant urge to write something on how could I be of help even in my own little way.   But each time I tried to draft I also became instantly wordless.  Frustratingly wordless. Perhaps this is the same feeling that the concerned people who wanted to reach to the calamity victims are experiencing.  Theirs is just multiplied a thousand times.

And if the people who wanted to reach out to the calamity victims are being enveloped with such frustration and hopelessness how much more could it be for the victims?  I don’t have an answer for this question.

Usually when a calamity happened in any part of the Philippines apart from sending my personal donation, I also make my blogs useful by posting information on how people can send donations to the victims.  I collate information and spread them through my blogs.   If there are fund raising events for calamity victims I usually promote these events.  

This time I honestly don’t know where to start.  For several days now I was posting statuses in my social media accounts talking about (making fun of) unrelated matters as if I’m not witnessing the reality of what is going on.  But the truth is... I am in painful silence. 

Yolanda came three weeks after the Cebu and Bohol devastating earthquake and a day after the “most hated pork barrel scam face” of Janet Lim-Napoles appeared in the Senate hearing. I was wordless as well on both the earthquake and that senate hearing.  They are all overwhelming.  They somehow temporarily broke my minimal talent in expression.

As I try to find ways to contribute in my own little way and while restructuring my minimal talent let me just share the only manner that I can be of help right now.  Please join me in saying this…
Prayer in Times of Calamity 
God our Father, look kindly on us in distress.
May we come nearer to your presence to seek true refuge in this time of calamity.
May we continue to trust, to hope and to love, giving each other comfort and encouragement. 
May generous people come to the aid of those who are most in need – those who lost loved ones and homes.
Let your spirit strengthen us to face all the hardships and difficulties of the present and of the days ahead. 
We remember the counsel of Jesus, your Son,
“Let not your hearts be troubled.  Have faith in God and faith in me.”
Help us to turn to you always for you know all our needs and you always provide for us.
Amen.
pray-for-the-philippines


Source: “Prayer in Times of Calamity” from my personal prayer book “Moments with God”.

Comments

  1. This made a big sense!

    Your prayer is fitting and proper - that for someone like me too, who feels like lost in translation on how to send help, offering prayer is the best intangible way of help. You may not be visible in the relief operations but I am sure God will send someone to act by answering your prayer.

    I'm back Ms. B. I don't know if I miss you? Nahh...I miss you that much hehe!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for dropping by Jay.

    As we talked about this on twitter, at least I know that apart from the overwhelming effect from the devastation, I'm not alone in feeling lost in expression...

    But it's really good to know you're back. Not only physically - I saw your come back post but I'm not leaving comment yet not only on your post but I am also not commentating on all the blog posts that I recently visited. I think that too was affected by the overwhelming feeling. I hope each of us will get over this and find our own little way to help.

    And how about if I miss you? Ha ha ha getting even? Of course I miss you big time! See you soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha! You don't need to comment naman every so often. If you feel you're just good for a read, it is completely fine. Commenting shouldn't be a requisite after all. By the way, we're leaving soon - like in a week's time. I'm afraid I can't see already. This is an urgent thing that came up. Unavoidable.

      Delete
  3. Haayyy naku, Ate B!!! where have you been? LOL *cat hugs*

    Hindi man tayo makatulong in terms of goods & services, maaari pa rin naman tayong makatulong sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ni #YolandaPH through prayers and heartfelt sympathies for survivors who lost everything. I believe in the power of collective prayers. It can move mountains!

    Makakaahon din ang ating bayang magiliw sa mga pag-subok na ito. Basta kapit lng po kay Lord. Sabi nga, God gives the toughest battle to his strongest soldiers. Kaya nya siguro piniling ibigay ang napakabigat na hamon na ito sa mga Pinoy dahil alam nyang isang bansa tayo ng mga magigiting at matatag na mga tao :)

    #YolandaPH #BangonVisayas

    ReplyDelete
  4. I put myself in the same position as those who were needing and helpless so that I wont be complaining when the weather gets hot or when I have so many things to do. I am thankful for myself and my family while praying everyday for the people whom I have no names or familial connections with, but have great affinity because they are my fellow Filipinos.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am finding a hard time figuring out how I can help too. My relatives in Cebu were hit as well, and our ancestral home was destroyed. I guess, the best I can do for now are prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I feel this. The Yolanda incident bothered me too much, too. I don;t know, something's really needed to be done. There's a sort of message or something out of all these,

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hope the situation over there improves soon. :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nakakapanglumo manood ng news at magbasa ng mga nangyayari sa lugar na naapektuhan sa bagyo. Sana makarating lahat ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan. I hope everything will be fine with the help of our God. Let's all pray!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. dame ko na nababasa at nakikita sa news, nakakalungkot talaga ung nangyari
    at nakakainis ung gobyerno! tsk sana maging mabilis ung pag bangon nila magpapasko pa mandin

    ReplyDelete
  10. nakakalungkot 'yong dinulot ng trahedya sa mga kababayan.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amen to that Balut. I suppose we just do what we can do to help and let God do the rest. Hugs ftom me.

    ReplyDelete
  12. My eyes are too bad to read your entire post, but I'm with you. :)

    ReplyDelete

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