GatheredTogether.org » taiwan

Live Blogging Interview with Missionary to Taiwan

seniorSOY — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:06:48 +0000

This interview took place on November 1st, 2009. Click here to see the entire interview.

The interview will be conducted live in the comment section of this post (scroll down this page). Jerry has 17 years of long-term missionary work experience.

Feel free to join in and ask any questions you would like to know about short and long-term missions programs and the state of the Christian church in Taiwan.

When asked about what he hopes people will come away from this interview with, Jerry said, ”The important thing is that they understand missions, pray for taiwan, and get involved in their church’s mission program.”

Note: Due to the openness of the internet, “Jerry” would rather not use his real name.

GatheredTogether Live Blogging Rules

World Vision Launches Relief Efforts in the Philippines and Pre-positions Supplies in Taiwan

seniorSOY — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:21:39 +0000

ISABELA PROVINCE, Philippines /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — World Vision will begin relief operations this evening in Isabela Province, one of the areas wracked by Typhoon Parma.

“We are not waiting for sunrise,” says Fe Olonan, World Vision programme manager in Northern Luzon. “We will begin distributing rice and other food, as well as candles, in the next few hours.”

Some 200 families in Isabela had been evacuated Friday night in preparation of Typhoon Parma. The typhoon, however, changed its course and speed and made landfall in Cagayan Saturday around 3 pm (local time). Olonan said that much more assistance will be needed in Cagayan, a nearby province four hours’ drive from Isabela. World Vision staff have also reported that Cagayan’s capital, Tuguegarao, is being hit hard by Parma’s severe winds, with gusts of 204 kilometers per hour (167 mph). Roofs are being blown off homes and other buildings.

“We also are worried about the flooding in low-lying areas alongside the Cagayan River,” she said from Isabela. “World Vision has pre-positioned 350 sacks of rice in Cagayan for possible relief distribution. Additional food items will be provided by the local government. However, as of this time, we have no means to say if the supplies are enough.”

According to Olonan, it is currently impossible to assess the needs and extent of damage in Cagayan. “Assessments will be conducted as soon as the weather calms down.”

There are 10 coastal municipalities in Cagayan Province, which, as of 2007, had a population exceeding 10 million. World Vision is also concerned about the long-term recovery for survivors of Parma and Typhoon Ketsana, which slammed into the Island nation last Sunday. With extensive crop damage on farms, many livelihoods will be lost for several months and food will be at a premium. In Manila, survivors of Typhoon Ketsana said the cost of some food had doubled. Six days after Ketsana struck, some communities around Manila remain submerged in waist-deep water. Moreover, the presence of stagnant water raises concerns about waterborne diseases.

Meanwhile, World Vision is monitoring the path of Typhoon Parma and is launching preparations for a possible relief response in Taiwan. The relief organization has already pre-positioned supplies and staff in rural areas of southern Taiwan, especially in places previously affected by Typhoon Morakot. In some villages, World Vision has prepared up to two weeks worth of supplies, such as clean water, food, and gas for electric generators.

World Vision has been actively responding to the devastation from earlier Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines, in most affected areas of Manila where thousands of families were submerged in the recent flood. The organization is delivering aid to 20,000 families in Marikina, Cainta, Pasig and Rizal and also opening Child-Friendly Spaces and a medical mission.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Click here to Donate to World Vision Flood relief efforts.

Typhoon Morakot Hits Taiwan Hard How You Can Help

seniorSOY — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:18:16 +0000

Taiwan, an island country 1,246 miles east of China and home to 23 million people was hit by typhoon Morakot on Friday August 7th. Initial reports are that at least 7 people have been killed and several hundred are missing including an entire village of 600 completely wiped out by mud slides.

A missionary serving in the area is reporting: “Our church family came through fine, though our church did suffer some serious cosmetic damage to the face of the building from the wind. They are saying that this was a 50 year typhoon. It was not the strongest typhoon in strength, but it did more damage to the southern end of Taiwan (where we are) than any typhoon in the last 50 years. It basically camped on top of us for more than 48 hours before finally moving on. Very powerful sustained winds and torrential rains brought trees down everywhere and some areas have had severe flooding.

Needed Prayer

We just heard the news report about a remote mountain village in our own county which had its communications cut off by the storm. Today, a day after the storm, when some one finally went out to check on them they discovered that the whole village had simply been wiped away by landslides and flooding and not a single person remained. The death toll could top 800 people.

Please keep us in your prayers as our church is experiencing an amazing growth spurt and tremendous spiritual blessings. But the pressures are great on our family and team as we try to train workers to help carry the load of ministry.”

Relief Organization on the Ground in Taiwan

World Vision is responding with help to the victims.

From their website: In the wake of Typhoon Morakot, World Vision is providing food, clean water, and cleaning materials to affected households in southern Taiwan.

“The most pressing needs now are providing shelter, food, and clean water for those who have had to evacuate their homes,” says Hank Du, executive director for World Vision in Taiwan. “We also want to make sure the children are secure and have a safe place where they are cared for.”