The Aftermath

Yesterday we were finally able to go to the aid of my in-laws. They had been trapped on the second floor of their house due to the 10-foot flood waters that engulfed their area of Cainta all from the liquid rage of typhoon Ondoy. Their vicinity has always been prone to flooding at the fall of hard rain. The house garage has been modified a few years ago to prevent water from entering the garage with the van and the house itself. Nothing though could have prevented this flood from doing the damage it just did.

The van was totally submerged in water for two days. The entire ground floor was consumed by the flood, everything in it, the living room and dining room with all the furniture, now useless. The refrigerator, oven, beds from the lower bedrooms were destroyed and everything covered in mud. It was a depressing sight while fatigue and hunger filled each of them. We brought them food and water and as many clothes as we could hold. As we suspected, everystore in the vicinity has been damaged with no goods to sell. Dozens of people were bringing out their furniture and other once useful belongings, now rendered useless by the ravage of the flood.

As we wash out the mud, dirt and flood water, we have fun as we work together, as if it was a family reunion of sorts. But beyond the laughter, the thought remains, unadmittedly by my father and mother-in-law, how will we recover from this loss and damage? By the grace of God.. by the grace of God..