Pastor Al Termolo is proud of the way his congregation responded to the recent havoc wreaked on their island community in the Philippines.

The watery mess left behind by Typhoon Ketsana dampened the spirits of the people of Ubihan, but now they are pulling together to help neighbors and assist in recovery efforts.

Members of Christ Enthroned Church, who distributed Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes earlier this year, worked alongside Samaritan’s Purse to deliver food parcels to 150 families in Ubihan. The parcels include items such as rice, beans, noodles, and sugar. They also are visiting residents to offer encouragement and to see how they are coping with the flooding.

Located a two-hour drive north of Manila, the capital city, Ubihan is a group of six islands whose only link is by boat. The 700 families who call these islands home rely primarily on fishing for income. Most young people leave after high school in search of better wages elsewhere. Torrential rains from Ketsana followed by a second wave from Typhoon Parma worsened the already pervasive sense of despair.

Some of Pastor Termolo’s congregation was among those whose homes—dilapidated wooden structures built on stilts—sustained damage in the two storms. Despite their own personal losses, these same individuals are lending a helping hand to those who suffered even greater needs.

Their selfless acts of compassion are also providing opportunities to share the Gospel with neighbors who were previously antagonistic to the church. The opposition has been so strong that at times vandals hurled stones at their sanctuary.

“They were poor before the storm, and even poorer after the storm,” Termolo said. “But they felt the Christian church was generous in their gifts of food. It made a lasting impression on them, especially among the persecutors of the church who didn’t believe in our message.”

Pastor Termolo’s church took part in another ministry outreach by distributing the Operation Christmas Child gifts to 55 children at an event held on the main island in March. The church also hosted the discipleship program Bible lesson series.

One of the children who received a shoe box was 8-year-old Angelica. She treasures the gifts and still keeps the toys arranged neatly in the box. Her mother, Edith, started attending church and has become a new believer.

Angelica’s family is among those who received the Samaritan’s Purse parcels of food this week.

Another woman in the community had lost interest in going to church. She was deeply moved when her two children, ages six and seven, received boxes at the March distribution. The woman decided to return to church and she persuaded her husband to come along too. Now they and their children attend regularly.

“When the children see their gifts, they see how special they are because each gift is beautifully wrapped,” Termolo said. “They are amazed at what is inside—the school supplies, crayons, and toys. These are things they have seen on television, but never thought they would own, only in their dreams.”

Pastor Termolo credits Operation Christmas Child for drawing children to Sunday school classes at his church. Many continue to attend every Sunday, and their parents are coming to worship too.

Now these same families are passing on the blessings they received by giving help and hope to their community.

“This is a great follow-up to Operation Christmas Child,” said a member of the Samaritan’s Purse disaster assistance response team in the Philippines. “It is often difficult to penetrate this community, so this relief aid is especially effective in meeting both immediate needs and giving the church great ministry opportunities.”

Samaritan's Purse , Philippines , Operation Christmas Child , Ministry Partners Reach Out to Storm Victims