I remember the first time I traveled to the Philippines. Paul Caampued took me to visit his birth place and family. We traveled in a very small boat through many fish farms and fishing cabins where the fishermen live. It was picturesque. 
Typhoon Ondoy destroyed many of those fish farms and fishing cabins, thereby destroying the livelihood of those fishermen. Paul Caampued and some of his team members have been working with the fishermen of Subay, Cardona. They have been trying to come alongside of them and help them repair their nets, rebuild their fish pens and cabins, and restock their fisheries.Here is the latest news from Paul Caampued.
Initially, there was coordination with the municipal officials of Cardona, Rizal for a census of the affected families in Subay. The municipal government will provide some assistance to the fisherfolks in the area.
I talked to some fishermen in 3 barangays where pastors attending PTC training are pastoring. They need some assistance in buying nets (even second hand nets) and bamboo poles so that they can rebuild their fish pens.
Some need assistance in small capital to purchase fish fry for their fish cages and fish pens. I have talked to one fry supplier and negotiated in behalf of the fishermen. An agreement was reached between them. The supplier will provide the fishermen with fish fry without a down payment. Payment will be made when the fry are grown to fingerlings (about 3 months).
The pastor in Subay gives us a room to stay every time we come to teach the PTC Training Course. Our primary role here has been to dialog with people and pastors to see on how the affected fisherfolk church members could work cooperatively to start anew. We had helped forge an agreement among some people in Subay, Kinagatan, and Calubacan.
We could have done more dialog but Benjie and I had to get off the island because another typhoon, Pepeng (international code name: Parma) is about to affect the area.
The other fruit of our 'intervention' efforts is that more pastors and church workers in Talim Island will attend the PTC seminars and the church will be strengthened. Our next seminar in Subay will be on November 25 to 27.
Thank you for partnering with us in this gospel ministry.
Paul Caampued
Please pray for Paul Caampued and his team, pray that they are not only able to bring them practical help but gospel hope, pray for their strength, faith and resources.
