Last week Taiwan was struck by Super Typhoon Ragasa. In Hualien, where we visited Mennonite ministries in June, at least 18 people were killed, 300 injured, and more than 7000 were displaced. I wanted to share an update from the Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan on their response to the disaster.

Rain or shine, we are always here. Mennonite disaster relief continues. A windstorm disrupted the homes of many people in Guangfu Township, but it cannot destroy our determination to protect medical and health care in remote areas.

On the second and third days after the disaster, the Mennonite Mountain Medical Team never stopped. We bypassed the blocked roads and went deep into the tribes, providing medical treatment to nearly a hundred people and bandaging the wounds of villagers who were accidentally injured while taking shelter. When we learned that many elderly people’s chronic disease medications had been washed away by the flood, we immediately delivered the medicines, because we know that stable medication is the foundation for the elderly to feel at ease. Yesterday (25th), CEO Zhang Wenxin also entered the church with the team to care for the needs of the residents and the medical team in the shelter, and prayed with the residents for peace.

As I’ve shared before, the Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien is the largest Mennonite hospital in the world and originally came out of the Mountain Medical Teams established by MCC some 75 years ago. The same Mountain Medical Teams mentioned by the Hospital’s recent update as still continuing their work to reach isolated and vulnerable communities despite the Typhoon.

Crystal’s paternal grandparents, Glenn and June Graber, were part of MCC’s early mission in Taiwan and continued to work in Taiwan after MCC phased out. We were deeply encouraged during our visit to Hualien in June to see how the Mennonite ministries have continued to grow and witness to God’s love for all peoples over the decades. Please keep their lifesaving work and ministries in your prayers during this time of crisis.

The following is an account from one of the Mennonite Mountain Medical Teams.

On the afternoon of September 23rd, the outer circulation of Typhoon Ragasa began to sweep into eastern Taiwan. The flash floods brought by the heavy rain changed the appearance of beautiful Guangfu Township overnight. The television footage of floodwaters and mud rushing relentlessly into the streets and alleys, and the Mataian Creek Bridge instantly lifted by the flash flood, all drove the next decision of the Mennonite Mountain Medical Team. The next day, the team immediately changed their original itinerary. After carefully counting the medical resources that the people might need, the medical staff immediately set out in the wind and rain to support the medical operations in the disaster area. The journey, originally an hour’s drive, Due to road closures and restrictions, the journey now has to be extended to about three hours. The route is also subject to rolling modifications at any time due to unpredictable weather and road conditions. The team switched from Mountain Route 193 to Coastal Provincial Highway 11, drove into the winding mountain roads of the Coastal Mountains, took the Guangfeng Highway, and circled into the half-meter-high muddy alleys of Guangfu Township. They finally successfully advanced to Guangfu Mataian, providing necessary emergency medical services to the residents. This time, they served nearly 40 residents, most of whom had chronic diseases, and some suffered external injuries sustained during the escape.

The mountain medical team’s original schedule for today was to provide medical services in Zhuoxi and Wanrong Townships, but they suddenly changed their itinerary. They had originally planned to take Highway 193, but the road was temporarily closed midway due to poor road conditions. They had to turn back and take Provincial Highway 11, entering Guangfu Township from Guangfeng Highway. The scene along the way resembled a doomsday scene from the Book of Revelation. Once-bustling streets were deserted, replaced by half-man-high piles of mud and wrecked cars that had washed over them from nowhere. The occasional hazy downpour created a deeply incongruous scene.

Or rather, it is impossible to imagine such a situation.

Ah Yang, who was waiting to receive medicine at the Matthew’s Church, recalled that they first heard that “the bridge was washed away” and then heard that “water was rushing down”, but they really realized the seriousness of the situation when they started to hear people screaming. He saw vehicles rushing outside for shelter, followed by a chaotic rush of people.

“Someone started yelling, ‘Run!’ My first reaction was to grab some important things and run upstairs. The water was flooding the house for about two minutes before a bunch of motorcycles, refrigerators, shoe cabinets, and other things outside rushed into my house.”

Ah Yang was still in shock. He said that luckily that there were Mennonites here so he could get medicine. Although he still couldn’t go home, he could only sleep at the church with his family.

The medical team is very grateful to Pastor Song of Matthew’s Church for providing a temporary medical service site. This is a commanding height in Guangfu City, and naturally became the best refuge for this flood. The huge church is now crowded with people who have temporarily stayed there. The simple wooden benches in the church are their place of accommodation. Everyone is sitting or lying down, and they seem to be concerned about everything at home, especially after a whole night of fleeing, their faces are full of fatigue.

Vice President Lin Yaping, who came to provide medical support, mentioned that in addition to the medical resources that the teams can provide, what the public needs more now is probably long-term care, especially since many children on the scene also have to live in such an environment.

“This time, Mennonite Christian Hospital has deployed directors from various departments to participate in the medical support service. We hope that everyone will come to this environment firsthand and understand what other resources we can provide besides medical care. We are very clear about this and sincerely hope that the public can feel cared for and loved.”

It was still raining and blowing outside the church, and many grandpas and grandmas at the scene had left their homes in a hurry and had no time to take anything, so naturally they didn’t have health insurance cards, but this would not be a problem.

“That’s okay! I’ll just register your information first. No need for a health insurance card!”

There is a stack of white papers on the table, waiting for everyone to register, get medicine and see a doctor.

“This flood was something no one had ever imagined! I’m 72 years old, and this is the first time I’ve encountered something like this in my life. Everyone was terrified, it was unreal, it was really like the end of the world in the Bible.” Pastor Song of Matthew’s Church recalled the scene that night and expressed his feelings.

She also recalled that she suddenly heard a loud sound of water that day. It turned out that there was a large gap in the nearby gravel pit, and the water rushed directly to the back of the church along the gap. They saw the water rising with their own eyes, and then the water rushed into the village. Then there was a rumbling and terrifying sound all night long, which made her afraid to sleep.

“This place is located on higher ground and enjoys everyone’s trust. Although the church isn’t an official resettlement center, many villagers have continued to flock here to seek refuge. Last night, there were about 150 people, large and small.”

Pastor Song explained that the situation was extremely urgent, with both rain and a power outage, and the church was caught off guard. Fortunately, the church had some blankets ready, and staff slowly distributed them in the rain. Worried that the villagers hadn’t eaten yet, the church quickly prepared noodles for everyone. Pastor Song breathed a sigh of relief, saying that experiencing this emergency situation was an opportunity to learn, and that they needed to do better in preparation and coordination in the future.

“But the best part is that the doctors were able to come to the site in person. This is something we can’t do. Plus, with transportation cut off, it’s impossible to get to the north for medical treatment. So everyone doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles to see a doctor! Thank you so much to the Mennonite Mountain Medical Team!”

Before setting off, the mountain medical team’s first stop was a rain boot factory to select rain boots for use in the disaster area. All medical staff also made various emergency preparations for entering Guangfu Township, paying special attention along the way to whether the landslide lake would overflow again or if the dam might burst. However, the most important thing was to bring in the medicines and medical services needed by the people. This time, the Mennonite “Rain Boot Medical Team” stepped on the mud and continued to do their best to provide support to the affected people. They hope that the next time they come to Mataian, they will not be so cautious and can provide mobile medical services to the people in a more relaxed manner.

After Typhoon Ragasa, Mennonite Mountain Mobile Medical Team will continue to go to places in need and stay with the people.