Continuing dramas

Many await how several dramas will unfold in the next few days.

Remember the tale about COVID, prayers and friends shared last week? The drama remains just as riveting, with well-wishers continuing to pray for a happy ending of complete healing soonest.

So far, our COVID patient posted the following:

This prayerful, hopeful first post last November 1:

“12 days ago, I watched my mom die (online) of COVID complications. She was grasping for breath as she breathed her last shortly after midnight on Oct 19. The last few days, even with oxygen, l too was gasping for breath. I thought l would be next.

This has been a sobering two weeks. I tried to list down my last will and testament or list of priorities l still need to do if l come out if this alive, but l was too tired and weak. Hopefully l am on the road to recovery and in a few weeks, l will be preparing to ship another container then leave the country.

I am forever grateful of the show of prayers and concern from my friends, families, and fellowship. These are strange and difficult, if not disturbing times. It gives me comfort that no matter what, GOD STILL REIGNS! HE IS STILL IN CONTROL OF THIS WORLD. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!”

And this promising post the next day, November 2:

“Preparing to leave the hospital. Need to exercise my lungs and body. Too inactive in the hospital room. Need to mentally fight this virus or depression will take over. It’s time to go the next level.”

 Let us all accompany him with prayers for his continuing and complete healing soonest.

In the United States of America, the complete results of the 2020 presidential elections are still being awaited. How this drama will end is still unknown. Will Trump remain as President or will Biden emerge as the next and oldest US President?

“We’re not done yet,” commentators keep reminding the public that it may take more days before all votes are counted and the winner known. Whoever will be President will matter, not only for Americans, but for the whole world. When US sneezes, it is said, many countries get pneumonia!

Prayers, prayers are needed as well. God has plans, plans for all to prosper. Let us wait in full faith. Let us “wait for the Lord with courage.” (Psalm 27:14).

Three typhoons, coming in one after another, left many more drenched, homeless, hungry, and again, hoping and praying not just for temporary help and relief!

Years turned to decades, still, a decisive pro-people disaster management prioritization is still, oh, so not there!

Political dynasties shamelessly persist yet so far, have not at all prioritized the real needs of people and communities.

How many officials, local and national, recognize the real need of people and communities in disaster-prone locations for sturdy disaster-resistant homes, for protective, adequately-equipped, ever ready evacuation centers, for post-disaster food and livelihood safety nets and options, and for effective drainage, flood and waste management systems?

This same tune is heard during and after disasters - how much crop was lost, how much damage cost. Often common disaster reports center on loss in terms of pesos and infrastructure (mostly roads and bridges).

Disaster after disaster, with the victims included, many resign themselves to seeing, to experiencing the same pathetic scenarios -- damage, loss, deaths.

During and after disasters, these common images - tears, pleas, queues for rations and donations, despite helplessness/hopelessness, slow rebuilding of fragile non-disaster resistant houses, even slower struggle to return to their pre-disaster, uncertain daily subsistence and livelihood.

How, when will the drama of the vulnerable Filipinos end?

Prayers, prayers, please.