At the Cebu airport, Philippines

The GHR assessment team just finished our 5th flight and is in Cebu, Philippines, the second largest city. It was largely undamaged. One more flight to reach the center of the devastation in Tacloban on Leyte Island lying to the east. 

Here at the airport, you would hardly know there is a huge disaster zone just 45 minutes away by air. The signs advertise local vacation resorts; families are traveling home with children and feeding them ice cream cones; business men are going about their business. But salted among the crowds are UK navy officers, a young guy with “UN Logistician” boldly lettered on the back of his vest and a guy carrying a large TV camera. The rest of our day will be anything but usual. 

Incongruously, as we anticipate the tragedy ahead and eat a hasty hamburger, the Detroit Pistons are playing the Atlanta Hawks live on the TV in the waiting area. The world goes on as people suffer, die, mourn and worry about rebuilding their lives after the largest typhoon in recorded history.  

The Salvation Army, our partner, has done a wonderful job facilitating pit logistics. The local Corp Commander and his wife met us on arrival and helped us get our eight large bags of camping equipment, dehydrated food and medicines checked through at no charge. They will do the same for our GHR teams that will follow. 

By tonight, we will know much more and be cranking up our BGAN satellite mobile link to send a report to answer as many questions as possible - How big should be the teams that follow? Are surgeons needed? Is there electricity? What about water and shelter? What medical needs must be addressed? Which medicines and supplies should we bring … and many more.

One question we have already answered. We know our greatest need – it’s prayer! Will you stop right now and meet that need? We would be unwise to go on without it.