UPDATE

The nation is in mourning over here as the final number of dead is becoming clearer in the aftermath of Typhoon Fengshen. Latest numbers are 800 plus dead on the capsized ferry which includes many infants and younger children.

A cargo ship also sank in the typhoon close to the ferry but so far few details have been released about this incident as there appear to be no survivors.Many fishing boats were lost in the storm along with their crews and no doubt the bodies of these will be added to the total in due course when they have been washed ashore. People have simply disappeared and relatives are at their wits end trying to find news about their loved ones.

So far 45 survivors have been found on neighbouring islands having made it through the heavy seas to shore but many bodies have been washed up too. Lifeboats from the ferry simply turned over because of the heavy seas at the time.

The heat is making the job very difficult as many of the bodies are already decomposed and some local authorities are simply wrapping them in sheets and burying them near the beach as the corpses are falling apart due to the advanced state of decomposition. Local Mayors are rightly concerned about the risk of disease and storage facilities for bodies in this climate are very limited. Because of the state of the recovered remains and the stench Gin is now being used to help preserve the bodies until they can be buried in their family graves after identification. As the sights are pretty horrific the divers are resorting to photographing the face only in order to assist with identification and ease the suffering of relations. Many are having to be buried in mass graves because of the decomposed state. Retrieval of the remains is expected to easily take up to a month or more as there are so many in this maritime disaster.

Hundreds of bodies still remain in the upturned hull of the ferry and coastguards are now beginning the grim task of burning a hole in the ship so that the bodies can be recovered. Divers have been inside the ship and report hundreds of bodies floating inside the vessel. Most are decomposed because of the warm climate so that is going to make any recovery very difficult as they will simply fall apart. Thoughts are to make the ship a maritime grave but it has a a large amount of fuel in its bunkers and this could cause major oil pollution if there is an escape. The ship has its stern on the sea bed at about 120 feet but the bows are resting on a coral shelf. The concern is that the ship could slide off into the deep water and the fuel bunkers could rupture. The shipping company is busy making arrangements to have all fuel pumped out of the bunkers so as to minimise pollution risk as the wreck site is in a conservation area which is also a tourist spot.

Another problem which has been discovered is that there are many boxes of a pineapple insecticide in the hold of the ship which should not be there as it is illegal to carry such material on a passenger ship because it is a deadly poison. Del Monte the company to whom the chemicals belong, informed the government that their shipment to Cebu from Manila was scheduled to be sent on a cargo ship but someone in Manila Customs permitted the container to be loaded. Because of this a salvage barge is being sent from Singapore together with specialised lifting equipment. All diving operations have been halted until the container has been removed from the ship and tests done to make sure there is no contamination which could injure the divers. This now means a large hole will have to be cut in the bottom of the ferry in order to lift the container clear. One can only speculate as to what condition the remains will be in when all this has been done. In the meantime no one is eating any fish from the area.

Filipino society because of cultural sensitivities demands that remains should be recovered and laid to rest in family graves. Funeral homes are working round the clock trying to embalm the dead in order to achieve this but practically some of the bodies are so far decomposed it is an onerous task and in many cases simply impossible and mass graves are being dug and the corpses buried immediately. Another practical problem is the sheer volume of embalming fluid needed which in a third world country like the Philippines is in short supply due to the unprecedented demand. (cf above )

All ships of the ferry company have been arrested and kept in port until a thorough inspection has been done by the authorities. It turns out also that the number actually traveling on the ferry was far higher than at first thought, and many were not on the vessel's manifest of passengers.

Meanwhile in Iloilo there has been extensive flooding, the area now looking like a huge lake with over 200 people confirmed dead due to the flash flooding caused by the typhoon and waters 2 metres deep engulfing homes. Many are still clinging to the roofs of their homes awaiting rescue by the emergency services who are being pulled in from all over the country. There has been tremendous damage to property and trees with many areas having no electricity supplies or fresh water available.

We ourselves lost electricity for over 8 hours and the repair crews could not effect repairs because of the very high winds and torrential rain. Happily in this area there were no deaths only damage to buildings by winds and rain. When the typhoon had abated everyone breathed a sigh of relief and set to in order to clear up the mess left behind. The electricity repair teams earned the praise of all for the professional way they tackled the repair tasks in order to get supplies restored to our communities. We raise our hats to them or I should say sombreros!

Please continue to pray for all the families involved and for the emergency services who have the grim task of trying to get some order out of all the chaos. and now having to secure these dangerous chemicals to prevent a further maritime disaster

Wakan Tanka, Tokahe' Wakan Isn'ala, Great Spirit and Mystery, God,
Open the eyes of all humankind to see the conditions we have set into motion by our negligence and greed. Help all to see that Nature's fury has been increased because of our disregard for her, and that because of our arrogance, ego and pride it has now caused tremendous human suffering. Help us see that this suffering is a direct result of our human actions that poison, rape, and bomb Ina Maka, our Mother Earth. Bring us to your place of Wisdom and Light that we might work together to undo all we have done, and that the solution of all misery is receiving the Word of Truth directly from our Creator. Have mercy upon the souls of those who have died, and for those who continue to suffer in body, mind, spirit, and emotion. Show them your Unconditional Love and Grace and lead them down the Sacred Path of Truth, Justice and Peace....Hau'! Letkiya cekiya!....To`na Wanagi

Salamat Po para sa Pilipinas

I add my prayers to yours. What you have said is FASCINATING, it really resonates with me.

truthseeker;
I add you to my prayers and wish you well in all you do. (Mahk jchi tambou'e en di bi di) I pray you may find peace in your affliction, and solace in the knowledge that God will never overburden us. What we learn from our afflictions, the message that is revealed through our suffering, and how we can carry our message to help others in their distress, that is the purpose. I know you have unanswered questions regarding your health, but don't allow these questions to torment your mind, it will increase your pain. Accept it and let it go to God, and rest in His Wisdom that there is no necessity for you to know the answers. His Grace is sufficient and in your pain He is revealed. I have lived for several decades now with many of the same problems. I do not suffer, I live with them and embrace them as a part of me. I do not complain but walk with the Spirit in the Knowledge and Love of God. It has made me stronger in my Spiritual Journey, my Sacred Path (Mani Wakan) and more compassionate, loving, understanding of all God's children in their suffering. They benefit and prosper from my knowledge.... and I learn the Truth of Humility. It's a wonderful thing! I wish it for you...God's Peace....To`na Wanagi

Some have asked for an update about the ferry "Princess of the Stars." All recovery work of the victims was stopped following the discovery of dangerous chemicals on board. A salvage company has been engaged by the owners, Sulpico Lines, to re float the capsized ferry and bring it upright. The recovery work will then re commence. One can only imagine what the task of recovering the dead will be like, as the bodies were all in an advanced stage of decomposition when the work was stopped well over a month ago.

Prayers for the families of the deceased and the recovery teams would be appreciated as well as for the communities stricken by the typhoon.

Communities are slowly getting back on their feet but there is much damage to be repaired and lives to be rebuilt.

Bishop Richard.

There are so many things that happen that are beyond our control. I must say you are blessed to be in your right mind and recocognized that prayer is needed by keeping your faith no matter what. Remember JOB God's servant he went through a multitude of sorrows he lost land, his health and his family members but through it all he remained faithful and gained back everything he lost plus things he never had. So I say as a Bishop you go in and close your door and pray "Our Father which art in Heaven hollowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil" Amen. God knows everything everyone needs before we ask, stay strong in the word, not man and spread the gospel daily to everyone you meet and through their faith will they be healed. In Jesus name. Amen

MinisterKLR

Thank you for your thoughts I have already done what you suggest and left all in the hands of the Almighty. This is simply too much of an onerous task to leave to mere human intervention..

There was a service the other day offshore from the wreck by an RC priest who was endevouring to help the families of the victims. In addition we have just just had another typhoon which has now passed happily without so much damage this time but plenty of flooding.

Everyone is dreading the start of the salvage operation which commences early September and as I've said before this is a pretty bad job for the services involved as I well know from the Gulf War we we had to deal with many bodies from the conflict lying all over the place. My heart goes out to these folks as well as the families as to what the long term effects will be. Rev Mike in MI and I have corresponded re this matter as he like myself is a Gulf War veteran and he for sure knows what effects such things can have on a human being whether you were a soldier like us or not. Please keep up the prayers as we all need them.

Blessings

Bishop Richard.

Dear Bishop Richard,

I continue to pray for the survivors left behind to mourn. That they be comforted by God’s presence, and blessed by His mercy.

Though I have not served in any wars, I have had a share of emergencies. As you know, one of the first things we are taught in emergency preparedness is that a rescuer/responder is only a benefit to those in need if they are able to serve. It is imperative that you look after yourself as well. Pray that our heavenly Father renews your strength and multiplies the Holy Spirit that dwells within you. Prepare yourself with daily cleansing, and know that He has blessed you so.

I have also asked that more of God’s servants are brought to help in the enormity of your task, according to His will. I will continue to pray as long as there is need.

May God bless you and keep you strong in His service.

Rev. Campbell.