A Little Help From My Friends

Students preparing the manike for storage.

This week continues to be a testament to the undying spirit to move forward and not lament the past.  As tragic as things have been here, we continue to see and hear the positive side of people.  I suppose in some ways that is always there but it seems to be magnified in tragedy.  We see that in the USA when there are hurricanes or other natural disasters.  How people always rise to the challenge to help each other out but here it is even those impacted the most by the disaster, even those who lost all their earthly belongings, thank God for sparing them and their families and they move forward making things the best they can for their families.

Big refrigeration unit ready to store food.

There are lots of outside efforts to help in Tonga but there is also a huge need and limited supplies.  There is a big concern for people who live daily off of the food they forage in the uta (bush).  These are people who cannot just go to the store or market and just purchase what they need.  With the dwindling food supply that is becoming a major concern.

One of the things that has been done here at Liahona is a big boxcar refrigeration unit has been brought in and students have been asked to help prepare the food for storage.  You can see the students in this photo as they finish up gathering manioke so they can prepare it to go into the big refrigeration unit.  I did not get a photo of they girls sitting around expertly chopping it into pieces with their machetes.   This will be an ongoing effort for the next little while.

This is the open air market near the
hospital.  They mainly sell clothing and
household products  the don't sell produce

Many of the young men on the island are out helping harvest the existing crops that are still good and planting more so they will  be ready as soon as possible.

In church today they released the second counselor in the bishopric and asked him to share his testimony.  I wish I could capture the feeling as well as he did in his broken english but in essence he stated that; maybe God sent this storm to wipe out all of the bad so we can focus on the good.  He wasn't talking about possessions ... he was talking about how we treat each other.  What a great and simple lesson on so many levels.

We have seen trucks out all over the island gathering coconuts from wherever they landed.  It is my understanding that they can keep for quite a while.  There's not a lot of food value in them but there is some and they do have coconut milk to drink.

Neighborhood kids Missionaries (wearing badges)
and  Timote Kau (recently released missionary).

We are trying to make sure the missionaries stay healthy especially as they work hard in this heat and humidity.  We are constantly reminding them of the importance of drinking water and protecting themselves from the sun.  We always carry extra water with us now and pass it out everywhere.  So far a cut knuckle (which is okay) a few sore backs, a few more sunburns and a few that have stepped on a nail during the massive clean-up.

There doesn't seem to be a shortage of bottled water and the supply side is going pretty strong now but the down side is that many people do not buy bottled water.  There has also been the normal rains so a lot of their normal water supply is being replenished.

On Saturday we went to visit Anahulu cave (with the Hudsons).  It's somewhere we have not been before and thought this was a good opportunity to take a short break from all the devastation and also see what the storm had done to the beaches on the East side of the island.  Of course, the cave tour was closed but we were able to park outside and went in on our own just to see what it looked like. Normal entrance fee is $15 per person ( I think that's what they charge the palingis).  A local family came in while we were there

Phil and Jan Hudson and Becky at
the entrance to Anahulu cave.

There were lots of bats in the cave and since our only light was our iPhones (electricity was still our here), we didn't go in very far.  Phil and Jan went in a bit further but didn't get to the swimming area.  We also went down to the beach here where everything actually looked pretty normal for having such a big storm come through recently.

Beach at Anahulu cave

We met a family coming out as we were coming in headed to the pool at the end of the cave to swim.  They had their 2 month old baby with them.

Family with 2 month old baby
coming to swim at the cave.

I would like to end this weeks post telling you all about a senior Tongan couple serving their second mission here in Tonga.  They are from Salt Lake City near Liberty Park but were both born in Tonga.  He attended Liahona High School and later moved to Salt Lake City  Their goal is to spend the rest of their lives serving missions just like his parents did.   Their service takes them all over the island and they are very in touch with some of the families that really need help.

They reached out to their grown children and their families asking them to help.  They immediately responded and the Va'enukus got to work figuring out how best to help those in need.  There are several of you that have sent donations to your senior missionary so they could use it to help others.  Once we heard what the Va'enukus were doing many of those donations were given to them to purchase food.

One of the families they were helping was also literally living in mud so they helped get them some brick pavers to get them out of the mud in their home.  We all know that whatever the Va'enukus do they do to the best of their ability.

Sister Va'enuku has spent almost every waking hour purchasing, preparing and delivering food.  These two truly exemplary Christ like love as they help their fellowmen.  Did I mention that their main job is to shuttle missionaries around the island as needed?

All of the seniors who have served here over the past 2/12 years know and love the Va'enukus.   They are always willing to share everything they have with anyone in need and frequently work long hours to accomplish everything on their plate.

Elder and Sister Va'enuku

They purchased a freezer with their own family donations.

Several have made donations to help them purchase food to assist the most needy.

Sister Va'enuku preparing food.

Part of one days work preparing food of others.

Gita Uike Taha

It has now been one week since tropical cyclone Gita left us in her wake of destruction.  We emerged from our shelters to survey the damage and check on each other and take stock of our current situation.  I think most of us were in a bit of a stupor; not really knowing what to expect; what to do;  or in many cases what we had actually just been through.  There are probably many other things I may think of to add to the following list over time, but I did want to capture a few of my thoughts.

The sound of singing and praising the Lord before Gita

I offer the following observations related to the storm

• Gita was tracking for a direct hit on Eua and Tongatapu.
• This storm packed the strongest winds of any cyclone to hit Tonga in recorded history.
• Gita was forecast to be over Nuku'alofa for 12-18 hours.
• Torrential rain would also accompany the record breaking winds.
• Gita was bringing with her a tidal surge of 10 M (Tongatapu is mostly flat with a high point of around 65M above sea level).
• A large part of the population live in fale's constructed in more of a make-shift manner.
• Almost no businesses or homes have emergency power (generators).
• Emergency services and healthcare in Tonga are very limited at best.
• Most homes do not have potable water (usually a cistern) and although most Tongans drink that water bottled water is available in most stores.
• Stores (especially grocery type stores) are few and far between with most buying supplies from small roadside stored that have limited products and supplies.
• Most Tongans live off the land ... farming and foraging in the uta (bush).
• Internet access is very unreliable (even without a storm).

Small village church in Kanokupolu
(before Gita)

Same church after Gita

These photos and the above video were taken by Brother and Sister Fisher.

Side view of the same church after Gita

Now I offer a few post Gita observations

• Gita did hit Eua and Tonga with her full force ... the eye moving from East to West along the Southern shores of Tongatapu.  Her winds were terrifying and the rains torrential.
• It was reported that over 70% of the homes in Tonga were damaged or destroyed by Gita.
• Most of he Southern shoreline is quite a bit higher and rockier than shorelines on the East, North and West thus better equipped to handle the brunt of a tidal surge.
• All missionaries were instructed to leave their MQs and head to LDS churches in their areas.  MQs are quite well constructed and very few had anything other than water damage but the President wanted them gathered whey he knew they would be safe.
• I am aware of only one LDS meetinghouse that had more than cosmetic damage and that was a chapel that did lose a small portion of the roof.
• There was not a single death in Tonga attributed to Gita and only about 30 serious injuries.
• Electrical power was out everywhere and unavailable except where emergency generators were available (we have emergency generators on the Liahona campus).
• There was no run on supplies at the stores.  Everyone was calm and orderly.
• Missionaries were where they could help others with whatever needs arose.  I'm sure there was some fear but since they were focused on helping others there wasn't much time to be afraid.
• After the storm missionaries were able to provide valuable service to those in need.  They were in the communities they served in so they new the town and its residents well.
• Power lines were down all over the island and some in the downtown area were still live with electricity.  We only had minor injuries reported by the missionaries and all are doing very well now.
• For some reason, our internet connection remained active for most of the night throughout the storm and I was able to provide some updates and receive some communication from the outside world.  It has remained up since so we were able to pass messages and photos from others to their loved ones at home.

A beautiful Catholic church in Houma that survived Gita
LDS missionaries helped in the clean-up.

It was reported by many news sources that because Tonga has strict laws prohibiting commerce on Sunday, preparations for Gita were hampered, but my observation is that because Tongans worship on Sunday and they do their best to keep it a holy day dedicated to God and family, they were spared from some of the more serious hardships that should have come with this disaster.  I believe what ended up being about a 4 hour window for the brunt of the storm and less than 12 hours for it to pass completely was a direct result of the millions of prayers offered for the people of Tonga.

How anyone who knows the state of the homes of a large percentage of the Tongan population can find any other explanation for zero deaths and only 30-ish injuries as anything other than a direct blessing from God is beyond me.

Yes, we had major destruction from the wind; yes, we had serious damage to property from flooding; and yes, many families were displaced; but the attitude of gratitude to God is present everywhere.  Tongans say, "I only lost my roof", or "everything is soaked and covered in mud", or even, "my car was the only thing that was destroyed".  And they always have that marvelous Tongan smile on their face.

Missionaries to a person have said how close they have become to the members and how their love for the people has increased.  They have worked so hard to help so many and they too break out in smiles whenever we see them.  I wish I could properly convey the love we have for these wonderful missionaries, they do so much with so little and have had a huge impact on those they serve.

For all of the blessings of safety and comfort we received, we will be forever grateful.  The farm crop cycle has been disrupted and although their is a glut of bananas, coconuts, papaya and other crops, the real concern starts in 2-3 weeks when it is time for harvest and there is nothing ready.  We know we will be blessed and there is a lot of outside assistance coming but we do still ask you to pray specifically for Tonga.

Missionary transfers are happening today and even without electricity some business (stores restaurants, and gas stations) are opening.  School is back in session at a few of the schools and all over Tonga things are beginning to get back to the new normal.

Sunset over Tonga 4 days after Gita - all is well

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

More Gita Aftermath

This post isn't what it started out to be but I offer this very sincerely from my heart.  As we headed out to take care of some of our missionaries (no injuries - just headaches, rashes, etc) we saw some of the devastation left in the wake of cyclone Gita.  It can be heart-wrenching.  I offer these photos with hope that they will inspire some to contribute to relief efforts for Tonga.  They are not looking for a handout but they are definitely appreciate of everything they may get.

The Tongan people are amazing and they were out at first daylight (or before) starting to repair / rebuild or helping each other.  In some cases, homes were completely destroyed and it is hard to capture the mass destruction that occurred in Tonga in a few photos.  They are proud and happy regardless of their circumstances and I admire them for their resiliency and general outlook on life.

I am humbled by them and offer these photos in total reverence to the people of Tonga.  Our experience of the actual cyclone seems inconsequential to the overall picture but we will cherish these memories because of the nature of the Tongan people.  We hope to be a part of the recovery and  renewal of that wonderful spirit we have come to love.

I will write more about our experience when the time seems appropriate.  Please join me in saluting these wonderful wonderful people as they move forward in happiness.