Saturday, 27 February 2016

Feb 28th

Taveuni clean up will soon begin......
Vuna Bush chapel , although damaged and empty, will be holding Sacrament meeting this week for those that can be there. 

People ran with their water barrels, jugs , and cups, when they saw the water truck coming.

One lady on seeing our yellow vests, asked if she could join our church. 



President Maiwiriwiri was able to visit with families.

The children had never heard chain saws before!




Several families grouped together with usable pieces of material to make community shelters .

Smiles appeared instantaneously as food was brought.



The children seemed quieter than usual, not so cheeky as they usually are, no victory signs when we photographed them.....




Blessed to give hugs and encouragement to the Sisters and their families.


Sepo came back from the Suva cultural event to no home, but a safe family. He was very happy!

The chapel water tank is one of the repairable ones.

George Kumar came from Suva to assess and help. 


The stores are starting to run out of staples. There is no more sugar, flour, rice , onions, potatoes, water and other items on the shelves. We hope they get to work on the jetty soon!
The road to Navakawau no longer looks the same. The school bus has no windows the concrete Community shelter has no roof. 

Everyone was saying what a blessing the Cyclone came in the daytime. At night there would have been many more casualties.
Where is beautiful Taveuni?


We hope the farms will quickly produce again.



Friday, 26 February 2016

Feb 27th

Cyclone Winston takes it's toll on our Taveuni Island!
Everyone is grateful for the Love, Prayers and support .
Arriving in Matei Airport..

The post office has no roof and is closed.....

The further one drives south on the Island the damage increases.










Lots of roof and water damage....





We are so impressed with the gathering of young and old to help each other...



Smiles abound.....

Roads are washed out....

There is no jetty for boats to dock....




Without water at our house, Elder Vermeeren got to use the creek to wash up...




The church purchased lots of food we were able to help distribute.


The Ferry dock fractured..

The youth came home Thursday Nite after an adventure of their own. It was good to have the missionaries home on the same boat.


                                                             waiting for the boat
                                                                  finally at 7:30
















On the way to Vuna and Navakawau with water and food


Very few homes remain standing.

Our bush Chapel in Vuna.

The washroom facilities...









This Sister told us she buried her scriptures in the ground before the cyclone hit.

This family of nine with another on the way , were grateful for the use of the Branches primary tent.







Navakawa children were thrilled to see us!

                                                               Lollipop time
                                                                   


Navakawa Village was hit with a tidal wave as the cyclone began.




Good to have friends


                                                                     Water for the village



The villagers cried as we unloaded the food .





Nine year old Caroline was severely cut by a piece of roofing tin. She is the sister of  Joji ,one of the youth we took to Suva. Her older brother put her in a wheelbarrow, and ran down the dirt road , five kilometres to the Vuna Nursing station. He saved her life! She walks with her little cane.

This is the home Caroline lived in with her brothers ,Mom, Angela, and several nieces and nephews.. The mom is a widow and is raising several  of her grandchildren. Joji went to Suva for the cultural event he also has his mission papers in. 






Anjina is ready to put in here mission papers in. 








What an honour to wear these vests and Serve these wonderful people!