The devastation caused by typhoon "Yolanda" (international name Haiyan) has made headline news around the world and a number of people have been in touch with us, concerned to know if everything is okay.

The storm passed about 100 miles north of Cagayan De Oro city so, although there was heavy rain and strong winds there was no impact on the House of Joshua.

The main area of the country affected is in the central belt of islands known as "Visayas", particularly the islands of Leyte, Samar and Cebu.

As many as 4 million people may have been affected in some way, with many having been evacuated from low lying coastal areas. It is now thought that over 1000 people may have died and anything up to 100,000 made homeless by the storm. 

The Red Cross has launched a disaster appeal - details here. http://www.redcross.org.uk/typhoonappeal/

Staff from our sister charity in the Philippines, Lifenet Children's Foundation, are organising an aid relief response - watch this space for more information in the next day or two.

In the meantime our thoughts, our love and our prayers are with the Filipino people