We came back late last night from our trip to the North of Cebu. It took 7 hours for a trip that usually takes 2. The more north we went, the more damage there is, until basically 100% destruction. At some point, all telephone and electric lines are on the ground. Most nipa houses and wooden houses are destroyed. You could really tell where the gusts of winds passed, because you could have a house standing next to the same house that was flatten to the ground. We went with John and his family. He owns a construction business so he had some power tools and a truck. Matt, Zach and I were at the back of the truck (were pretty much red by now). Our first stop was to cut electric lines which stopped traffic and move the pole. As we went further north we got to a point where the typhoon washed the road away so traffic couldnt pass thru. People were standing there because they wanted to go up north to go back to their home towns but couldnt go. So we told them to hop on the truck and took a back road. We had a dozen people with us on the way up. We had to stop first to get a car unstuck in the mud, cut down trees and remove branches from the road. Its really cool because as we went we would clear poles, trees or other debris from the road and kept pushing north. We knew we were the first ones to go thru as we had to make way for the big truck to pass thru. A line of cars and other trucks were following us, waiting for us to clear the road. More and more often we had to stop since every electric power line pole were lying on the road or on a roof top. One time the people in the truck saw one of these pole on the road and said oh no we cant go thru. We tried to keep the moral up and told them it was no problem, well find a way. John only had a small electric battery powered saw but was able to cut the big pole. All the villagers around clapped when we took the thing down and pushed it aside! We also bought over a hundred lolly pops! we just threw them from the trucks as we saw kids and you should have seen the smile on their face! I kept shouting to people Justin Bieber was in the truck and pointed at Zach... that put a smile on peoples face! We reached the north tip of Cebu and cleared the way! Now we now that ambulances and other vehicle can access there at least. We gave out bags of rice to fishers families and then made our way back. The plan was to go as far north as possible cause we knew that was were the most damage was and then give out rice on our way back. We couldnt stop and give out bags cause there is a risk of getting mobbed, so we handed them out as we were passing by. It was already dark so wed spot families or children and shout Bugas (rice) and then light up the rice with the flash light. It was like Christmas! From what we have seen and heard we are surprised that we didnt hear of more deaths, but numbers are still coming in. The top weather channel guy in the US called John for a live interview and told him that the wind speed were so fast that it surpasses their instruments capability to measure it... Ill have to charge my phone and Ill post pictures soon. We have decided to open the Bethel China foundation account to receive funding to help. Driving all the way, I realized that it will take months to restore power since every has been uprooted from the ground. Schools were flattened, gas station flattened, not only the roof but even the gas dispenser. I even saw a concrete phone pole broken in half! So if you want to help, we will buy rice of bags, tarpaulin and other things needed. I think it is not a coincidence that we are so close, so since we are set up to receive donations and have friends who can help to reach these areas, lets do it. You can donate here: bethelchina.org/general-donation/ Ill post a report at the end of the week to let you know how much was raised. We need to go back soon, well try to go on tuesday. Specify that it is for Cebu. Thank you!
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 00:49:06 +0000
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