Thoughts on Yolanda, and the little ones

It was hard for me to blog about Yolanda. We posted a massive list of resources on the aftermath of the typhoon in our company blog, but as far as blogging how I felt about what’s happening, I was at a loss for words.

That’s how I usually feel, watching the news or browsing Facebook. At one point I even wished people would start posting selfies again, if only to get a break from the sad news that seemed to never end.

Young girls stare at the full moon outside a makeshift shelter in Tacloban. (CNN)

Ondoy (2009) moved me to act, Sendong (2011) caused me to reflect, but Yolanda.. Yolanda made me feel weak in the knees.

Yolanda came on the weekend of my Dad’s birthday, and while we celebrated the life of my Dad that day, we knew at the back of our minds that somewhere, people are grieving the death of their loved ones.

Even more devastating, that some parents are mourning the loss of their children.

My heart breaks the most for the children.

They’re too young! They’re not supposed to go through something this tough. They’re not supposed to die.

And the babies! My heart bleeds for them. Dawn & Rain came out prematurely at 35 weeks and they needed incubation. I can not, for the life of me, imagine how those premature babies would survive without the aid of incubators.

Will they make it? Are their mommies going to be okay? Are they going to live to tell the story?

When I think about these children, a song plays in my mind like a gentle reassurance,

“..suffering children are safe in Your arms, there is none like You.”

God has a special place in His heart for the little children, and the thought that He knows what He’s doing ends all questions and doubts. 

It’s ironic how, the sight of these young typhoon survivors can easily break your heart and give you hope at the same time. 

Brave little girl mustered a smile with tear-filled eyes. (Ryot)

The smiles on these little girls’ faces upon receiving biscuits and relief goods. (Chuvaness)

One-day old baby girl in Tacloban. (CNN)

Miracle baby, Bea Joy, born in the Tacloban rubble. (Rappler)

Newborn babies in the crowded ward of a typhoon-damaged town Bogo, Cebu. (Reuters)

Baby Israel, born in a mobile clinic post-haiyan, named after the country from which these doctors came from. (Rappler)

Young as they are..

Equally awe-inspiring are these children from all over the world who expressed their love to the victims of typhoon.

Two girls selling lemonade in the US raised $200 to donate to Philippine relief.

Half-Filipino, half-Dutch kids selling “Philippine cupcakes” raised 80 euros for typhoon victims.

Japanese children sending their love.

Anton, 9 years old, wrote a letter and gave all of his savings to Yolanda survivors.

Dear Lord, bless the hearts of these children.

Those brave ones who are surviving and still fighting for life in the typhoon-affected regions.

Those who are still smiling and playing and laughing even though their families lost everything.

And those who find it in their hearts the need to do something—to extend their little hands and arms to help, young as they are.

It’s been two weeks since Yolanda hit the Philippines. (I guess it took me this long to gather my thoughts). Nations around the world have come together to help the Philippines recover from this tragedy. And I want to believe that majority of the Filipinos have realized that there’s no point in arguing and being critical of others (and of each other) at a time like this.

This is the time to set aside our own prejudices and let kindness and love rule.

And it’s times like this that we have to remember the little ones.

Let’s help them, pray for them, bless them.

But more importantly, let’s have the kind of faith that they have—always trusting, always thankful, always holding on.

More thoughts on typhoon Yolanda:

• Like Normi, I choose to celebrate everyday.
• Whatever you do, do it with love, says Krissy. I agree.
• When Dawn & Rain are older, I’m going to teach them what Jenn taught her kids.
• Love always wins, says Martine. True story.
• Silence is the prayer of my heart too. Thanks, Iris.