Casualties could exceed 1,000 after another typhoon in the Philippines

Guinobatan, Philippines-In the second typhoon to hit the Bicol area in the Philippines already this year, Typhoon Durian landed at Catanduanes on Thursday, November 30, before moving west to Mindoro, south of Manila, on Friday, December 1. Typhoon Xangsane hit the same general area just a few months ago.

At maximum speeds of 190-225 kilometers per hour (119-140 miles per hour), Durian's winds and heavy rains resulted in landslides and mud flows. As of Monday morning, December 4, CNN reported there were 450 dead, 507 injured, and 599 missing. The prospects of finding survivors are fading according to Associated Press reports. The local Red Cross speculates casualties will top 1,000. More than 14,000 people were affected by the storm in 10 provinces.

Church of the Nazarene Philippines Field Strategy Coordinator David Phillips reports the super-typhoon, rated a 4, was trekking toward Metro Manila before diverting south, averting what could have been even more significant losses in life and property. The region also has an active volcano called Mt. Mayon, which contributed to the damage with black sandy mud sliding off the sides of the volcano and burying two entire villages near the area. These mud flows reached nearly eight kilometers (five miles) away.

Most of the homes of Nazarene members in the Bicol area have been damaged and are not inhabitable. Legaspi, where the Church of the Nazarene has a congregation and an elementary school, was one of the hardest hit towns. Two parents of students and two students from the Legaspi Elementary School were killed. There have been more than 1,000 recovered bodies in the area affected by the typhoon, and there are still many more people missing and feared dead here.

The church building and parsonage in Legaspi were damaged with portions of the roof and walls blown away in the storm. Approximately 50 people are staying in the school and church building as a temporary shelter. The roads to other Nazarene churches are still impassable and continued power outages are making further damage reports difficult to obtain.

On Wednesday, December 6, a team of six people from the Nazarene Field Office delivered supplies, helped repair damage buildings, and networked with other agencies in the affected area. Local churches are offering volunteer support and are planning additional contributions to any restoration operations. Damage is extensive as well as disheartening as Durian destroyed the restoration efforts, such as crop replanting that began after the devastation of Typhoon Xangsane.

World Mission Director Louie E. Bustle is encouraging immediate support for those affected. "During this time of devastation and uncertainty we must rally around our brothers and sisters with our prayers and support," Bustle stated.

Persons and churches wishing to make a donation for the Philippines Typhoon relief efforts can mark their checks payable to "Philippine Typhoon Relief ACM1637," and mail them to the General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131.

In Canada, checks may be sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.

Immediate donations may also be made online at ncm.org.

All donations remitted through the General Treasurer's Office will receive 10 percent Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

Note: Additional prayer is requested for the people of Vietnam affected by Typhoon Durian. Durian hit Vietnam shortly after passing over the Philippines.
--NCM Asia-Pacific (AP photo)

Back to top

Former General Treasurer Norman O. Miller passes away

Oklahoma City-It is with sadness the death of former Church of the Nazarene General Treasurer Norman O. Miller is announced. Miller passed away December 5 in Oklahoma City following a long illness. He was 82.

The son of a Nazarene pastor and a member of the Church of the Nazarene since 1934, Miller became the first executive administrator for the Nazarene Publishing House (NPH) in 1962.

Prior to this position, Miller served as an officer in the Air Force during World War II, piloting a B-17 bomber based in England. He completed 35 missions over Europe.

Miller also has served in teaching positions at several colleges including New Mexico Agriculture & Mechanical Arts College, Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), Indiana University, and the University of Texas.

In February of 1970, after serving as executive administrator at NPH, he was elected general treasurer of the Church of the Nazarene. Having experience with insurance and pension programs, he also served on an investment committee and was active in the financial planning for church outreach.

Miller is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Anne Miller; one son, L. Dean Miller and wife, Melanie; one daughter, Marsha McAlister and husband, John; four grandchildren, Annette McDaniel, Angela McAlister, John Wayne McAlister, Dean Wesley Norman Miller; and four step grandchildren, Christie, Dustin, Julie and Shellie, all of Oklahoma City.

The family will receive guests between 2 and 6 P.M. on Saturday, December 9, at 2204 NW 119th Terrace, Oklahoma City (John & Marsha McAlister, 405-752-9295).

In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Compassionate Ministries, Church of the Nazarene. Messages of condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Ruth Anne Miller, c/o Marsha McAlister, 2204 NW 119th Terrace, Oklahoma City, OK 73120
--General Secretary's Office, NCN News

Back to top

Riots rearrange Bengali youth event

Bangladesh--As Bangladesh prepared for national elections, October protest riots made transportation to many areas of the country temporarily impossible.

Closed roads forced the district-anticipating nearly 1,000 young people-to postpone its Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) taking place October 31 through November 3. But, a lull in the protests allowed leaders to regroup, and virtually overnight, hundreds of young people were able to gather in a northern tribal village for a one-day rally. Another, held in the western part of the country later that week, allowed nearly 450 young people to gather anyway.

"It was dangerous to even leave the house, so it was a challenge for them to come," said the district superintendent.

Regional Nazarene Youth International (NYI) President Tim Evans led a seminar on Youth and Social Justice at both gatherings, a task he found challenging, coming from Ireland, one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

"What can I possibly say about social justice to young people who are facing oppression and poverty every day?" said Evans. "The young people blew me away with their insight, courage, wisdom, hope and faith. We had some fantastic discussion with regard to the injustices they face and whether/how the church should/can respond to these issues."

"It may not have been the way things were planned," said field NCM coordinator Hermannn Gschwandtner, "but God continues to speak and act no matter what the circumstances."
--Simone Finney, Eurasia Communications

Back to top

PNG village unites for Bopanten CBHC graduation

Bopanten, Papua New Guinea-On November 11, 2006, Bopanten became the first Nazarene Community Based Health Care (CBHC) village in the vast Sepik area of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to graduate.

"It was a jubilant celebration by a community of people who decided to put Christ first in their village and six churches that chose to set aside their denominational and doctrinal differences in order to work and pray together for the good of their entire village," states Becky Morsch, M.D., a Nazarene missionary in PNG who attended the ceremonies.

For Morsch's first hand report on the graduation and the touching story of how the Bopanten CBHC was created, see the following NCN News web page: read more

Back to top