November 10, 2009 – Tuesday 12:03AM (Philippine Time) – Manila, PHILIPPINES – Report submitted by Joe Hurston (Air Mobile Joe)

After dealing with massive amounts of water due to 4 Typhoons to strike the Philippines in a 4 week period, water is still standing in many areas surrounding Manila and will be for a long time to come. Laguna Bay, a huge fresh water lake on the outskirts of Manila has grown in size considerably. Today, our team ventured into several areas deeply affected and had the privilege to donate 3 Voyager water purifiers to relieve the suffering. Here in Manila, I’ve seen a bumper sticker that says “EVERY DROP COUNTS”. It’s some kind of an advert for Shell Oil. Well, we’ve adopted it! Even though our Voyagers pump a relatively small amount of water (compared to the great need) and it’s easy to say, “It’s just a drop in the bucket”, we’re now inspired to say “EVERY DROP COUNTS”. This is particularly true for the recipients!! 

Our team was hosted and transported by Colonel Ed of the Philippines Air Force. Now, in an earlier report today, I shared about “CONNECTIONS”. Here is how we came to know Colonel Ed. Through our meeting Colonel Jun who is the brother of Pastor Cicero (Orlando Pastor), who is the Pastor to Sister Amy, who saw an NBC News clip on Air Mobile’s desire to go to the Philippines. There, I have told you how this is all connected. After doing this kind of work for many years, we are learning to go with the “Flow of God” and let HIM put the pieces together! (Note: You really have to read down to see how this has come together – quite a story). 

Our team traveled approximately 1.5 hours south to an area with about 40,000 affected residents on Laguna Bay. The community leader, Nestor Baldonaza directed our team to the “Dock” newly made by the flooding. Colonel Ed had arranged for a load of donated goods, food, clothes etc. to be handed out as our little boat worked through the “streets”, now canals. We went down several “streets” and found a suitable place to hand out the supplies. 

Every single home in this sprawling community was under water. So many lives disrupted and yet, our team was met with kindness and appreciation. This tragedy produced a new business; Boat Transportation. We saw many different kinds of vessels created out of whatever would float. 

After our boat ride and distribution through the canals, we trained a team to operate the Voyager. Barbara did her classic training equating the Voyager to her “Baby”. This method of teaching is very effective and our students demonstrated their comprehension by setting up the Voyager and running it all on their own. 

From this devastated community, we took a short ride and had lunch at….McDonalds. Things seemed so normal. During our lunch, a young lady walked up to our group and asked if her mother could buy our entire team lunch. Since we had already ordered and paid, they insisted on buying us all dessert. Her reasoning was that she so appreciated what we were doing for the people of the Philippines. Again, this act of kindness and appreciation moved us all. The Philippine people are amazing. In spite of this monumental tragedy, we could feel the Grace of God abounding all around us. 

We next traveled to another community on Laguna Bay. Again, thousands of homes under water or washed away. Our recipient of the Voyager; Dr. Grace, a local Dentist. We trained the operation team. During Barbara’s “Baby” training, I scooped water out of Laguna Bay and put it into the bucket to be purified. Then, to everyone’s amazement, I drank the water. It was hard for them to believe that this water, that had done so much damage to their homes / lives could be purified as drinking water. We presented the Voyager to Dr. Grace, then headed back to our hotel. We still had meetings scheduled. 

Pastor Sam had arranged for missionaries from Mindanao to come and see us and tell us about their work. After hearing of their outreach and the desperate need, the third Voyager was donated to New Tribes – Philippines. Now, here it is 12:03am, Philippine time, my body still thinks it is 11:03pm Titusville time and somehow, I have to go to sleep. We have a full day planned for tomorrow. God Bless You and thank you again for reading all the way through this report. 

This just came to mind; early this morning, there was a loud explosion here in Manila. I was actually awake working on the blog when I felt the hotel shake. A large bomb exploded not far from the hotel. Then, later today, the disturbing news came about the kidnapped School principal being beheaded in the Southern Philippines. These events certainly remind us of the turbulence and evil in this world. This is all the more reason for us to pray to the Lord Jesus for direction and protection. In the meantime, we’ll keep bringing clean water to a thirsty world and sharing the Good News of the Living Water that Jesus freely gives!!

God Bless and good night.

Air Mobile Joe & Team 

AIR MOBILE TEAM ON THE MOVE / ON THE GROUND IN MANILA – HOW WE MAKE CONNECTIONS! !