Gita Outta Here!

This once towering majestic palm stands
as a reminder that yes, we did survive Gita.
And although a little beaten and battered
we too stand tall and proud!

Although, you are all welcome to read this weeks post, I direct it especially to the wonderful parents and families of the missionaries serving in Tonga.  We have taken a few photos to add this week's blog but I have been focusing mostly on taking photos of missionaries (post Gita) and posting them on Facebook as soon as possible so their families can see their smiling faces and know they are indeed safe.

One of the amazing things that has happened was that for some reason, our personal internet connection has been up even through the night of the storm.  We also have emergency generators for electrical power here at Liahona so we were able to maintain a connection to the outside world.

First of all, we want you to know again that the missionaries are all safe and accounted for (even the ones on other islands).  We are aware that President and Sister Tui'one sent out messages and posts as well but they are busy facing the same devastation and cleanup as everyone else.

Category 4 Cyclone Gita packing
140+ MPH winds and torrential rain.

Many papaya trees were
stripped of everything
except the fruit.

After cyclone Gita left us in her wake we wondered what we could do to not only help with the cleanup and rebirth of Tonga but how could we better serve our wonderful missionaries.  We decided that since our assignment put us out in the communities with the

Not many feathers left on this chicken
but she was out strutting her stuff.

missionaries, we would try to get a personal message and photo from each missionary to their loved ones at home (especially the missionaries who are not from Tongatapu).  We are unable to get to Eua, the other island that was also hit hard by Gita but we know those missionaries are all safe as well.  The other missionary inhabited islands of the Kingdom of Tonga were spared from the wrath of Gita but did see some rain and light breezes.

As we have met and talked with the missionaries, we have been humbled by their positive and upbeat attitude and we have not heard one single complaint about the situation they now find themselves in.  They are hot and sweaty, they are dirty and sun burnt, they are displaced by water and lack of electricity, their phone batteries are dead and they receive little (if any) outside communication,  They are sleep deprived, overwhelmed and exhausted ... but in spite of all of their personal hardships, they are smiling and happy.

They are all in various stages of recovery; some are still living at LDS meetinghouses due to lack of running water or electricity at their MQs.  We take bottled water and a small snack to each of them as we travel the island (you'd be surprised how well a small cup of mandarin oranges, vienna sausages, peanuts, and a small bag of chips are received).

LDS Meetinghouses withstood Gita and protected thousands of local residents
including our missionaries.  Very few had any damage at all.

We get to talk with them and hear their stories and yet their family and loved ones are left wondering and praying.  It is impossible to pass those stories on to you so that will have to wait until they can get regular communications back but you should all be so proud of your missionary.  To a person they remain strong in their commitment to teach the gospel and go forward with faith.  They are resolved to work hard and do the dirty work of cleanup and restoration.  They all tell us how close they have become to the people in their communities through their acts of service.  I would stand beside any one of them in battle and feel safe.  They are amazing young men and women.

We ask for your diligence in prayer and a commitment to remain positive knowing that the Lord is watching over them very closely.  This life changing and character building experience has changed each of them for the better ... I know this for sure as we have seen them up close and personal.  They make me proud to be a part of this great organization that does its best to teach us to follow our Savior Jesus Christ and has a living prophet who receives direct revelation to guide us.

The emotions and feelings we experienced the night of Gita were very real and personal and perhaps the stories of that night will be related over time but the more important story and lessons for me are those of faith and the power of prayer.  For your part in that we owe our deepest gratitude to each of you.

I leave with you my solemn testimony that God has watched over His representatives in the christian Kingdom of Tonga.  He strengthens and lifts all who come unto Him.  He has heard our collective fervent prayers and answered them in a very direct and real way.  Our experience has changed us each in an individual way.  May we each recognize His hand in our lives through this experience and offer a prayer of  gratitude for the way he extended us His tender mercy.

Though many of us have never met our lives will be forever linked through this experience and my prayer includes my humble gratitude to each of you for your faith and prayers.  I look forward to the day when I will meet many of you to express my thanks and love in person.  Until that day,  I love you ... Ofa lahi 'atu!

The Rebuilding, Rebirth and life in Tonga