Destroyed by Fire

Saturday after lunch we heard loud sirens from fire trucks rushing past our house. We went out the gate and saw all our neighbors in the street looking toward the river (just one block from our house). My heart stopped when I saw huge flames several feet high blazing over the tops of the banana trees and billows of black smoke filling the sky. "O God," I prayed, "please don't let anyone die!" A fire like that could be costly...thank God no one did die.

Many people, 10 families the fireman told me, lost their homes and everything they own. I could have taken pictures of the blaze, but I was holding the boys, and it seemed too grave an emergency for photos. This is a photo-journal shoot I took just 30 minutes after the firemen got the blaze tamed.

I spoke with one of the youth. "We don't know what we're going to do. We have no place to sleep. Maybe we will stay up all night."

Look at the faces of these people as they stand out in the street looking at the ashes that were once their homes. I'll never forget the eyes of one man as he rode "home" on his motorcycle and looked for the first time at the remains of his house.

In the US people would never be allowed around the scene like this. It was amazing to me that people could really do whatever they wanted. The streets were full of people...which ones, I wondered, just lost their homes? Was anyone hurt?

This house was one that had more left standing--on the end of a row of houses. Still, there is nothing useful for a home--these resourceful Filipinos did gather this wood a day later into piles. Still they are resiliant people...they see a use for almost everything.

"That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat." 2 Peter 3.12

I couldn't help but think of 2 Peter 3 when it talks about the Day of God, and everything will be destroyed by fire. This was a bad fire for 10 families, but it is only tiny compared to that last day. I grieve for the families, but I also feel a fear of God for those who do not know Jesus and are not prepared for that last day.

It all happened very fast. Within minutes the fire spread from house to house. All that remains are pieces of the roof and the cement that was part of the structures.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire..." 2 Peter 3.10

This picture captures how normal life was happening when all this took place. Clothes that were hanging on the line across the street were left hanging--there was no time to take them down. Notice also the trees above.

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" he promised?....But they deliberately forget...God's word..." 2 Peter 3.3-5 (read the rest of the passage).

This is a scary warning for me and others, to remember that just like in the days of Noah people were going about their normal lives when all of a sudden the waters rose and they drowned. People don't take God's word seriously often times, because it doesn't seem real. But after a fire like this one, it seems all the more real that God's Word will come true and it will happen so fast, we need to be READY.

Ironic how the people are standing on firewood here on the left...then to the right is all the water from the firemen's hoses.

I do grieve for my neighbors and I pray for them. I praise God that no one lost their lives.

Two or three of the families are members of our church in the Cebuano service. People have been gathering supplies to help them. The community is pulling together...

"I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat drink and be merry.'

But God said to him, 'YOU FOOL! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Luke 12.19-21

I include this scripture not to preach at these families who lost their homes, for certainly they are not storing up much on earth and they do not take life easy. They are poor and strive each day for their daily needs.

I write this to anyone viewing this blog who would heed a sober warning to get an eternal perspective now while there is still time.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6.19-21

"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming." 2 Peter 3.11-12

These ladies grabbed everything they could and ran across the street. One lady had just gotten a large sum of money at the bank that day and ran back in to get it. She was badly burned and had to be admitted to the hospital. Other than her, I did not hear of any serious injuries. Praise the Lord for that.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3.9

"But in keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." 2 Peter 3.13

Two days later, I went back with my camera. Here are some sights...shoes left burned and melted beside unusable clothes. A page of a book singed and ripped.

Many of the kids did not go to school since all their uniforms and supplies burned in the fire. Last week at our school there was "Spirit Week" and kids raised money to help others. Part of that money was used to help buy new school supplies for these neighbors.

"...the earth and everything in it will be laid bare." 2 Peter 3.10b

Much has been cleaned up from the mess here...the sight of their former homes is bare. The government will help with each family for a certain sum of money, but that sum is not enough to rebuild the whole home or to replace the things lost. Pray for provisions to rebuild...and for wisdom and good community morale and unity.

This woman was bending down looking through the soot to find anything of use. Filipinos are so good at making use of everything--nothing goes to waste. I don't know what I would do if it were me. Lord, give us wisdom how to help and to love our neighbors. Help them to restore their lives. Give them hope and help them to find promises of eternal homes that you have waiting for those who love you.

These people are so resiliant. I am amazed at what I find when I walk past...people are working together building shelters out of anything they can find. This "camping" mode would get old for me really fast, and I would not like the lack of privacy! Of course those are my western standards, but I doubt any of them like it. I'm just amazed at how quickly they pulled together for survival.

A tent was set up (though with hard rains at night I'm sure they get wet!). On the right is a "community" kitchen that had a big pot of food going. Food has been donated and many clothes were given. I'm still trying to find out the best way to help. The church is helping and many neighbors are sharing, but still they need to rebuild their homes.

Look at how resourceful these people are...they got this material for a roof, built a platform and set up a "home" here in the street! The kids are playing with some toys and are smiling for the camera. I learn so much from them about being content whatever the situation. They are working together and seem to have quite a good morale.

Sad to say, just today while we were at school eating lunch we saw another huge billow of black smoke. We just heard that there was another big fire on the other side of the main road where we live! I have not heard the outcome of that one, but I don't think anyone died.

My heart is so heavy for my neighbors, for the people who lost homes, but even more than that for the people who do not know Jesus as Savior and Lord. Pray for them that through this loss they will find the treasure that they can never lose. Pray that many people will take warning to see how temporary this world is and how quickly our lives can change. Pray that we can share the good news about the new heaven and the new earth and the new home in heaven for those who trust in Jesus! Pray that many will come into the kingdom, and pray for us "to live holy and godly lives as we look foward to the day of God and speed its coming."