Chronicles of the Daily Grind

The typhoon "Milenyo" left with its prints of destruction in the lives of the people.
On the 28th of September at almost noontime, we have felt the intense force of the typhoon greatly affecting even the seminary grounds. I don't know what moved me to ask one of my companions, but I did ask, "Why is God allowing this typhoon when at this very moment He knew there would be thousands of people suffering?" Am I really skeptical about Him? Not really. But my companion only gave me hard look and long silence. He couldn't answer my question, neither can I.

Our cook was deeply worried. She left her home and her family at the brink of the typhoon to earn for a living -- cooking for us. At almost lunchtime I saw her worried and crying. She left her children alone battling the heavy winds and keeping their house in one piece while the typhoon successfully devoured their home, leaving them just only the lot where the house was standing.

I prayed so hard for the typhoon to stop in sympathy for her and for the families affected by the storm.

After the heavy rain, we went around the seminary ground and saw how the storm had badly damaged us, causing most of our trees struck down, all our clothes wet and mudded, with some destruction on our stock room's roofing. These are nothing compared to the destruction caused by the typhoon in other peoples' lives. In fact, many had been found missing and dead.

This morning we went to our area of apostolate. We saw how many families have indeed been affected by the storm. We talked to the people who in turn shared their miserable experience while beeing hit by the typhoon. Even up to now, many families are still in the process of rebuilding their homes.

Yet what is so amazing is the way they have carried such challenges in life. While listening to them, these people do not really look or feel miserable inside. It's quite puzzling how they laugh about their conditions. In their pititful state, I could sense their hope and their perseverance to rise up and move on.

While we here in the seminary, we had been secured with our buildings and insurances in case something will happen. Other well-to-do families may have been secured by their concrete houses. Yet, we find ourselves more insecure compared to these people especially whne problems and stressful challenges cross our way.

Yet, despite the storms, and struggles in life, are we like these people, still optimistic and hopeful and ready to rise up and move on?

Posted by brodiz on Sunday, October 01, 2006 at 6:39 PM | Permalink