BIÑAN, Laguna — A typical grandmother should be enjoying the remaining years of her life and the presence of her grandchildren. But it’s a different story for Arcela Regala, 73.

For almost a year, she is the only one taking care of her six grandchildren because their mother—Lola Arcela’s daughter—passed away November last year due to cancer.

“I have no choice but to take care of them, because if I don’t, nobody else will,” she said.

Lola Arcela, together with her husband and grandchildren, are residing in a school that serves as an evacuation center because their house was submerged in floodwater due to typhoon Ondoy. They’ve been there for three weeks already.

“For the past weeks we’ve been living through relief goods and the meager support given by my other child and my son-in-law, but those are just enough to meet our basic needs,” the grandmother lamented. “Now one of my grandchildren is sick and I cannot afford to buy him any medicines.”

Lola Arcela’s prayers were answered when Operation Blessing, together with the Israel-based Arava Rescue Team, conducted a medical mission in Barangay Dela Paz last October, serving 182 individuals.

“We always pray to God for people like you who will conduct a medical mission here, and a lot of us here are so glad that our prayers have been answered,” Lola Arcela told OB.

Her grandchild John Ruel Mandula was treated for his cough and also received free medicines. She also received free medicines for herself. Aside from these, she learned something far more important than physical healing.

“I felt a lot better when the volunteer counselor led me into a prayer,” Lola Arcela said, hopeful of the coming days after their life-changing tragedy.