Philippines: Samaritan’s Purse and Habitat for Humanity Help Provide Disaster Relief from Typhoon Haiyan

By Lauren Leigh Noske 15 Nov, 2013 16:31 EST

Faith-based ministries Samaritan's Purse and Habitat for Humanity are sending disaster relief to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan devastated its islands last Friday. The storm was one of the strongest in history, and has displaced nearly 600,000 people in the country.

Typhoon Haiyan Samaritan's Purse Facebook/Samaritan's Purse

Typhoon Haiyan hit the islands of Samar and Leyte, destroying much of Tacloban city last Friday with winds of up to 195 miles per hour and storm surges as high as 20 feet. According to Fox News, 600,000 people have been displaced, and there have been over 3,600 confirmed deaths and 12,000 injuries from the storm. The United States of America has sent over 1,000 troops and 190 tons of relief supplies to the country, and relief is coming to the country from several other countries around the world as well.

According to Habitat for Humanity, tens of thousands of homes have been either damaged or destroyed. The Christian organization is currently providing 30,000 home repair kits for families in need, and plans to assist as shelter needs in the community are made known and the necessary funding is provided. The non-profit has been helping rebuild homes in the Philippines since 1988.

Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization which gives relief to those affected by natural disasters, famine, poverty, and war, has been operating in the Philippines for over 15 years. Samaritan's Purse meets both the physical and spiritual needs of those who are in dire circumstances - "No matter where we go or what we do, we offer more than help. We offer hope," their website reads - "To suffering people in a broken world, we share the news of the only One who can bring true peace-Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace."

In light of the devastation from Typhoon Haiyan, Samaritan's Purse has sent a Boeing 747 aircraft with 110 tons of supplies to the Philippine island of Cebu. Relief items include water filtration systems, medical supplies to help reopen a hospital in Tacloban, mosquito nets, and blankets. The Christian organization has also distributed thousands of parcels of food and hygiene products for those affected by the storm. Donations can be made to help support Philippine relief on their website.

Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief Typhoon Haiyan Facebook

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Philippines: Samaritan’s Purse and Habitat for Humanity Help Provide Disaster Relief from Typhoon Haiyan

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.