Passing through the Waters: With Missionary Katherine Grant
By Shelli Littleton
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you . . . For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isa. 43:1–3).
September 26, 2009—Devastation and loss describe the Philippines as tropical storm Ondoy delivered 16.7 inches of rain in a 12-hour time-span—the worst flooding in 40 years. Screaming, wailing, and people drowning could be heard and seen from heartbreaking video footage. Three million people were quickly displaced. Many died. Missionaries, like Katherine Grant with Training Evangelistic Leadership (TEL), are trying to help in every way possible, but the needs are so great; they feel their work is a mere in the bucket.
MMF: Katherine, what has been your most devastating moment? K: We were separated from our children during the crisis and had to wait several days to get home. But we knew God had our children in His hands.
Also, helping a man named Fernando who was very ill. Michael, my husband, attempted to take him to several hospitals, but the waiting lines were unbelievable. One hospital had over 1,000 people waiting to be seen; another, 600. Finally, we found the last bed at a hospital. The doctor said Fernando had Leptosporosis, a water-borne disease that is usually treatable; but Fernando’s kidneys had been affected, and he was critical. If he did not receive dialysis within 24 to 36 hours, he would die.
Not able to pay for dialysis, we went home to pray and asked people in the United States to pray also. God performed a miracle. Fernando’s lab values went down from dangerously critical to returning to normal. God’s faithfulness allowed those working with Fernando to see God’s healing touch. And it was a walk of faith for us. After paying for his hospital bill, we had $10 left. God provided. Fernando was not a believer, but is now attending a Bible study that we have started.
MMF: What protection do relief workers need?
K: With the threat of water-borne disease, it is wise to wear feet and hand protection. As a nurse, it was overwhelming seeing people walking those flood waters for days and totally covered in the grime. Many developed diseases, and over 300 died from Leptosporosis.
MMF: Was there relief?
K: There was relief, but with thousands of people waiting for supplies, often there was not enough. The effects of this crisis will be felt for months and years to come.
MMF: Are supplies getting to the people?
K: Being a missionary family in a small mission, we have focused on families and small communities. We have adopted several and have made sure that we are providing money, food, water, clothing, and medicine for them. Our mission (TEL) installed a water purification system as a means of communicating the true Living Water.
At Faith Academy where I work as one of the nurses, Faith families worked endlessly: cleaning out mud-filled homes, supplying water, cooking and delivering food, washing clothes, collecting and distributing clothing, bedding, and household goods. It touched my heart to see my boys working alongside Michael and me as we helped Filipinos, Koreans, and other missionary families who lost almost everything. We did tons of laundry and cooked meals for days. I assisted one outreach in providing medical aid to over 200 people, 100 of whom where living on a basketball court because their homes where swept away.
MMF: Is there electricity?
K: Power is available in most areas; however, there are still a few places where there have been no electricity and phone for two months.
MMF: How have you seen God work?
K: We have seen Bible studies started, and God is tugging on people’s hearts. They are becoming more aware of their need for a Savior. Many people, being touched by other’s giving, have remarked that they now know God is real and believe He has a plan for their life. They want to know more about Him.
We have seen God provide in miraculous ways. We have seen people working side by side to minister God’s love to others. We have been changed because suddenly our priorities have changed. We have partnered with different missions and organizations to be hands and feet for the Lord. Even though we are a small mission, we are working alongside national pastors and churches to help and reach the lost.
MMF: How can we pray?
K: Pray for our mission, TEL, and for Lovingkindness Ministries (lovingkindnessministries.org) as we minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the Filipino people. The needs are great: food, medical help, livelihood, and connecting families. But the greatest need is a spiritual revival. Men here tend to shy away from spiritual things; seeing men attending Bible study and growing in the knowledge of Christ is exciting. Pray that we can give them hope in Jesus.
In Christ, the appearance of destruction and loss is opportunity for others to meet the Savior, the Living Water, and to feel forgiveness wash over them. Luke 8 reminds us that during a severe storm and the disciples’ panic over fear of death, Jesus said, “Where is your faith?” Jesus came that we would not eternally perish.
In this New Year, with the appearance of destruction and loss, may we be resolute to remember where our faith is—in the hand of the One Who stills the storm to a whisper and hushes the waves of the sea (Psalm 107:29). Passing through the waters equals opportunity.
“My heart is hurting, and my body is tired. Many feel like wounded soldiers. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would see such tragedy. More water was ped on Manila in 6 hours than all of the floodwaters in New Orleans. One lady literally sobbed because I gave her clean undergarments when I brought food and water to her; she did not have anything but the clothes on her back that she had been wearing for days.” –Katherine Grant
*Katherine’s organization, TEL, is a very small organization with only two international missionary families in the Philippines. Because of this, the Grant family felt the Lord calling them to partner with Lovingkindness Ministries while they assist with the flood relief. Any teams or individuals that wish to join the Grant family for short-term relief work may contact them at (270) 215-4315 (US phone number in the Philippines) or mgrant-@hotmail.com.
WMU at Work in the Philippines
The Woman’s Missionary Union® (WMU®) Foundation sent a $10,000 HEART Fund grant to the Philippine WMU president, Laura Raymundo, to help their organization meet people’s needs during the aftermath of the flood. If you wish to donate to this fund, please send contributions to the WMU Foundation with “HEART Fund” noted on the check. For more information, please go to the WMU Foundation Web site at wmufoundation.com.
Shelli Littleton and her husband, Brian, live in Fort Worth, Texas, and serve Travis Avenue Baptist Church. They have two daughters, Karalee (11) and Katelyn (9).
September 26, 2009—Devastation and loss describe the Philippines as tropical storm Ondoy delivered 16.7 inches of rain in a 12-hour time-span—the worst flooding in 40 years. Screaming, wailing, and people drowning could be heard and seen from heartbreaking video footage. Three million people were quickly displaced. Many died. Missionaries, like Katherine Grant with Training Evangelistic Leadership (TEL), are trying to help in every way possible, but the needs are so great; they feel their work is a mere in the bucket.
At Faith Academy where I work as one of the nurses, Faith families worked endlessly: cleaning out mud-filled homes, supplying water, cooking and delivering food, washing clothes, collecting and distributing clothing, bedding, and household goods. It touched my heart to see my boys working alongside Michael and me as we helped Filipinos, Koreans, and other missionary families who lost almost everything. We did tons of laundry and cooked meals for days. I assisted one outreach in providing medical aid to over 200 people, 100 of whom where living on a basketball court because their homes where swept away.
In Christ, the appearance of destruction and loss is opportunity for others to meet the Savior, the Living Water, and to feel forgiveness wash over them. Luke 8 reminds us that during a severe storm and the disciples’ panic over fear of death, Jesus said, “Where is your faith?” Jesus came that we would not eternally perish. 
wildest dreams I never thought I would see such tragedy. More water was ped on Manila in 6 hours than all of the floodwaters in New Orleans. One lady literally sobbed because I gave her clean undergarments when I brought food and water to her; she did not have anything but the clothes on her back that she had been wearing for days.” –Katherine Grant.jpg)
Shelli Littleton and her husband, Brian, live in Fort Worth, Texas, and serve Travis Avenue Baptist Church. They have two daughters, Karalee (11) and Katelyn (9).
