MANILA, PHILLIPINES (September 29, 2009) \u2013 The second floor of Jesus Covenant Church\u2014a Covenant congregation in a suburb of Manila\u2014has become a refuge for the pastor, Jhun Peji, and his family, who evacuated their residence due to severe flooding from Typhoon Ketsana. Another coworker is staying at the church as well.<\/p>\n
Government officials said Manila experienced its heaviest rainfall in at least 40 years, and at least 246 people have died since Ketsana struck on Saturday. Flooding has affected nearly 2 million Filipinos.<\/p>\n
The floods came quickly, preventing Peji and his family from salvaging personal belongings before they were evacuated, according to Don Dwight, Covenant missionary serving in Taiwan. Many church members\u2019 homes were flooded, some with up to eight feet of water.<\/p>\n
While standing waters remain in low-lying areas, Filipinos are bracing for another possible storm later this week.<\/p>\n
The Taiwan Covenant Church has begun to send relief funds. Communication remains difficult, however.<\/p>\n
Covenant News Service will publish more information as it becomes available.<\/p>\n