Through the fire
A Brooke's Point Palawano family in the Philippines is being consoled this week after losing their house and many belongings to a fire.
While Mulita and her children were busy weeding their mountain rice field, her husband, Jambi, took their youngest son home to cook something to eat for him. Somehow the house caught fire, and within seconds flames engulfed their little home.
Jambi grabbed little Normisio and ran out of the house. He then rushed back to try to save some of the family's things. When Mulita saw the smoke she rushed back to find Jambi reaching into their burning home and grabbing whatever he could.
"Stop! Stop before you die!" Mulita yelled.
Jambi managed to save some blankets, a pot, his hunting gun, and a little food, but much more was lost to the flames -- including machetes, knives, clothes, medicine, cooking wok and a backpack.
Losing a machete that was given to him by missionary Norm Rice was the last straw for Jambi. That night at a neighbor's house, the usually quiet and unemotional Jambi cried the whole night.
The way Mulita dealt with it the next morning was very characteristic of her outgoing nature. She told and retold the story, complete with a reenactment of all the events.
A backpack full of emergency supplies, replacement medicines and clothes for the family was given to the family. Other villagers are giving them a little money to help replace their things.
"Pray for our dear friends as they deal with their loss," wrote missionary Elise Long.