'Because There is a God'

It has taken a lot of time to begin to understand what has gone on in the past couple months. One minute I was fighting for my life in one of the most secluded places on the planet, with no phone signal, no power, no water, no way to get money, which we had very little of, very little medical attention and no way to get off the island. I have fought for my life before and I could tell I was once again fighting to stay alive and the only thing I could think was, 'I have to fight for my wife, I can't leave her now.' Then the next second the whole world is in a place where I am the only American around and my dad was with them! 

I had been very sick for at least a week before the typhoon with serious symptoms. I was losing chunks of memory, my motor skills were so off I was having trouble walking or even getting a cup to my mouth. I had head aches everyday and my bad arm swelled up and was causing excruciating pain. I was depressed and helpless, having trouble making sense of simple things. Thanks to my wife and some medicine from the doctor we made it to Tacloban and back before the storm hit; I'll leave out the details because Cris Ann wrote them in her blog, but I was seriously sick and felt like I was fighting for my life and loosing the battle. 

When we woke up the morning of the typhoon and saw the destruction and the intensity of the wind it was amazing to see. Shocking, no, this type of power is nothing from the one who spoke the universe into creation. I was not shocked but I was amazed! Every inch of the ground was covered with trees, metal, plants, coconuts, coconut branches, coconut trees, power lines, parts of people's houses were even in our yard. 

But here is the amazing thing, our house and the four closest neighbors, who were the ones that helped with the seizure, had little to no damage to their homes and our house was absolutely untouched by the most powerful typhoon to hit land in recorded history. It was like the screaming wind was bouncing off the wings of angels. Every coconut tree was stripped clean and so many of them where ripped right out of the ground. But the ones that surrounded our house didn't fall like the other around them. Yes they leaned and they looked like they would fall on our house and the neighbors but they stopped on the giant wings of God's holy angels. Like Cris Ann wrote, there is a little hut made of sticks in our yard that could easily be pushed over and when people saw it still standing and the condition of our house all they could do is laugh that this stick hut was still standing when cement buildings were destroyed. I use that analogy of an angel because my aunt Sherry told of a teacher at Kings Schools who had a vision of four angels covering our home with their giant wings and those wings must have stretched to the helpful neighbors as well.

Soon after looking around I had a seizure that lasted 2 to 3 minutes. I was stiff as a bored and my jaw was stuck to the side and my mouth was foaming. When I finally stopped I was in a full black out and became violent. I kicked the young college students that were trying to hold me and they ran out of the house. Cris Ann came to me and I hit her and kicked her as well as her mother who then locked me in a room. I don't remember any of this or the several minutes following but what a terrible situation to follow up the worst typhoon in recorded history. Pastor Lem had to come and take me to the hospital because the only vehicle that could swerve and weave around the trees and debris pushed up by the storm serge was a motorcycle. We did not have the money to be admitted to the hospital but we had to and for three days. Again I'll leave out the details because it would just be repeating Cris Ann.

I was not getting any better and the doctor told us to go to a hospital in Tacloban but he did not realize the damage yet. We were stuck, no diagnosis, minimal medicine, rice and veggies as always. No power, no communication, no operating banks so people who usually had money had none and I was only getting sicker.

Ptr. Lem came to our home after I was released from the hospital and he said Ptr. Gerry was bring a relief team and my dad was with them. I was shocked! My dad coming here? I did not know what to think at first, but I was kinda scared for him. No running water, so use your imagination on how to use the bathroom or anything else. No fans, sweaty heat, huge bugs, sleeping on the ground and eating rice everyday; I was worried he might get hurt trying to help me and I really didn't want that. But he made it and the decision was made right away to get me to Manila for medical attention, but the problem was how do we get there. No planes, thousands of people waiting for over crowded boats to leave the island. we ran around town trying to find a way out but we could find nothing. Finally, we found an older un air conditioned  bus that would drive us the 28 hour trip to Manila. The trip was rough, to say the least, I think my dad has night mares from those very long 28 hours. Cris Ann was by my side the entire way and with out her I could not have made it and I am sure I would be with The Lord if it were not for her and my dad.

Anyways, we made it and Cris Ann asked around and found us the perfect hospital. I have to say, she was quietly holding my arm the entire time, showing that quite strength a Godly women has. I really don't remember much at the hospital, IV's, needles, MRI'S and everything else you can think of, but my memory was still only working at 50%. 

The hospital care was great but they could not figure out why I seizure, lost my short term memory and motor skills. One week I could run a six minute mile and the next I barely could walk, grab a cup off the table, or remember anything that happened during the day. The doctor gave some seizure pills and some other things and that's all she could do. everyday after I left the hospital and was able to spend the days with my dad and my wife I felt better and better. My dad and wife were there every step of the way and they were the biggest part of this recovery process. The time with my dad and wife was priceless and worth any pain. We laughed at Cris Ann as she tried to figure out to step onto a escalator with shoes. Dad was eating apple pie everyday so Cris Ann had to try it and she was soooo excited. As she began to chew her face changed but she swallowed it. I asked her in Tagalog if it was good and she look down and said 'I don't like apple pie.' Hahahaha that was unforgettable, I have never seen her face so red. 

I still can't believe I am in Manila only a week or two away from going home to California to see my family. The only thing to say is thank You Lord. Thank You that I am laying here next to my wife, thank You I get to see my new nieces, my brother and sisters; that of course includes Sandy! I get to hug my mom and Nanay. Thank you Lord that I will get see Mimi and Papa and they will get to meet Cris Ann who is so excited to meet them. And even for letting me see my dog Icky. You heard my cries even though I gave up, You were faithful and my cries did not fall on dead ears.

Here is a small quote from Russell Kelfer:

"No, that trauma you faced was not easy. And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was allowed to shape your heart so that into His likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason, you have been formed by the Master's rod. You are who you are, beloved, because there is a God!!!