Church helps Filipinos cope as they wait to hear from family

Several families in limbo after massive typhoon tore through Philippines
WHITE MARSH, Md. —As help continues to arrive in the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, members of a church in White Marsh are trying to stay busy as they anxiously await word from friends and family, who they can only hope survived the massive storm.
River of Life International Christian Fellowship spent Monday organizing donations to be sent to the Philippines. Many of the members of the congregation have not heard from their loved ones.

Staying busy is about the only thing that stops the tears and anxiety pains for Juliet Lizardo.

"You can't really do anything but just wait for the news and hope and pray that everything is going to be alright, and we'll still see each other again," Lizardo told 11 News.

The same is true for friend and fellow church member Rose Marie Iglopas. Both women last spoke to their family members in the Philippines on Thursday, the day before the massive typhoon swept through and left absolute devastation behind.

"To see these videos being shown on television, it's kind of heartbreaking to see. Not hearing from them is just like -- I'm just so hopeless," Iglopas said.

She told 11 News she finally spoke with her parents and brother in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, on Sunday, but she has dozens of other family members who are still unaccounted for.

"My dad's brother, my lolo, and my mom's parents are there, and her sisters and brothers," Iglopas said.

Lizardo's mother, sister and niece had plans to evacuate, but she said she hasn't heard from them since, so she has no idea if they're safe.

"Seeing it devastated with all of the people -- there's a lot of casualties on the road believed to be dead. So they're still looking, and now they're saying there are 10,000 people that died," she said.

Between trying cellphones, email and social media, the two women have found some solace in their church family at River of Life International. The church is packing up clothes, food and supplies that will be shipped to the Philippines in two weeks.

It's an effort in healing, considering some church members have already confirmed that their loved ones have passed away.

"Even if, for example, we don't have our immediate family here, there's the fact that we have a church that's always there for us and really praying for us and making sure that everything is going to be alright and making us stronger," Lizardo said.

The church is accepting donations all week and is also planning a benefit concert from 3-9 p.m. Sunday.  If you would like to donate, you can take items to: 

River of Life International Christian Fellowship
10939 Philadelphia Road
White Marsh, MD 21162
443-317-8056