Baptism by Fire and Wind and Rain

Last week we trained Elder and Sister Leben and sent them on their way Monday morning to the island of Vanuatu just in the nick of time to experience a massive cyclone.  They arrived Monday afternoon and were able to get settled in, receive their cell phones and then start to prepare for Cyclone Pam to arrive.  These huge storms are called cyclones in the South Pacific where in North America they are referred to as hurricanes.

The storm hit late Friday night/early Saturday morning.  All power was out on the island.  The municipal water system stopped working and gasoline was unavailable.  The satellite phone worked some of the time.  The only way we were able to communicate was by text, which can work during an emergency when other forms of communications are unavailable.  All communications were limited as the batteries could not be charged without electricity.

As of Sunday night the water is back in Port Vila.  All missionaries on Efate (Port Vila) are safe and accounted for.  Please continue to keep the missionaries and good people of Vanuatu in your prayers.

President Brewer, Vanuatu mission president had the missionaries at the mission home and everyone there is doing well.  A tree did some damage to the roof of the mission home, but other than some roof damage, it is fine.  Members took shelter in church meetinghouses which survived the storm very well.  Many local homes did not stand up well in the high winds.  We have no doubt that the Lord is mindful of his missionaries in the isles of Vanuatu.  We are thankful that Elder and Sister Leben arrived when they did.  They will be a great help to President Brewer.  In addition, Elder Leben, a medical doctor was a practicing pediatrician before he retired, so he will be of great help with his medical background.

This link gives more details about the storm.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/67383571/cyclone-pam-vanuatu-aftermath-heartbreaking

"Now, as a Church we have worked with others in lifting the sorrow and sufferings of those who are in distress. Our humanitarian efforts have literally blessed the lives of countless thousands not of our faith. In the terrible tsunami disaster, and in other disasters incident to conflict, disease, and hunger, we have done a great and marvelous work assisting others without worrying about who gets the credit. In February of this year the president of the American Red Cross presented to the Church the Circle of Humanitarians Award, which is the highest honor given by them. It is in recognition of the effort of the Church to extend the vaccination against measles to thousands and thousands of young people.... Countless lives have been saved, and much pain and misery have been avoided ... To the extent made possible by resources which come from the generosity of our people, we are reaching down to lift those in distress. Surely the Lord is blessing us as a people, and we must reach out to bless His needy wherever they may be." (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Closing Remarks,” Ensign, May 2005, 102).