The Aftermath of Cyclone Winston

Tropical Cyclone Winston was the worst cyclone to ever hit Fiji, and was even the worst in recorded history to strike anywhere in the southern hemisphere of the world.  This category 5 cyclone carried rain and winds of 220 kph, with gusts up to 325 kph.  During that night of terror, many homes and crops were damaged or completely destroyed, trees were snapped off or their roots pulled right out of the ground.  Electric power was lost, as power poles and lines were knocked down.  Many roads and villages were completely flooded.  So far, the death toll is at 44, and many others were injured.  This toll should continue to rise as reports from isolated communities and small islands come in. 

This last week we were privileged to visit and help some of those

affected in the storm.  It truly opened our eyes....

This damage occurred at the LDS College.

Many of the signs around the island were destroyed

When we took this photo, we could hear the
buzzing of the broken ends of the wires!

One village we visited was near Korovou
about 45 min or so from Suva.

As we visited villages, we noticed how they
try to pick up the pieces and put their lives
back together without waiting for assistance.
They also have a wonderful attitude.

This used to be a little external cook house

After roofs and corrugated sheet metal was
torn off, the people of the village were able
to hunt down the missing parts, and nail
them back onto their home.

Of course all of their clothing and belongings
were soaked and needed to be dried out

This sweet little girl looked so cute all
dressed up, peering out of her home. She
was heading into town for supplies

When you see these little children, it is so sad
to think of what they have been through and 
endured during that night of terror.

Sarah Jane Weaver, a reporter for the Deseret News and Church News, who was in Fiji to cover the Temple Re-dedication and Cultural Ceremony, tagged along with us for 3 days this week.  She is going to publish a story on the aftermath of the cyclone.

On our way to do eye exams at a village,
we unexpectedly came upon this flooded
river from the cyclone. We'll try this village
again, next month.

Rick was tempted to try crossing with our
four-wheel drive, but common sense prevailed,
as we estimated the water was about 4 ft deep.

As we visited different churches and villages with the news reporter, Sarah, we found that many of the churches were full of families who had lost their homes in the storm.  Luckily they had a place of safety and security to go until they can rebuild their homes.

At this remote LDS church building near Korovou,
15 of the 20 families who lost their homes were now
living in the church. It's interesting to note that all
20 families are LDS. The reporter enjoyed getting
their stories and taking their photos.

Their bedding is put out in the sun to dry.

The families combined all their remaining food to share with
each other, and now the Relief Society sisters were preparing supper for everyone.  The true practice of the law of consecration.

At this church building in Lami, where 3 families were living, they were cooking some delicious "Fry Bread" for everyone.  Despite having lost everything, they insisted on sharing some with us.  It was absolutely delicious. 
They are such special people.

Her face says it all...

This lady and her one month old baby boy survived the night of terror, and were now sleeping on this mattress at the church.

...Drying their things out in the sun...

As we went around to these village with the
reporter, we took a bag of suckers to hand
out to everyone.  The adults loved them
just as much as the children did.

Children came running out from everywhere
when they saw we were handing out suckers.

This little boy gave me the biggest hug
after I gave him a sucker.  

This lady was very happy to take the left over
 suckers to share with everyone in the village.

I had crocheted a couple of baby hats and
decided to give one to this little one month 
old boy and one to his nine month old cousin.

These families were very grateful for the food and
supplies we (and the reporter, Sarah & her friend, Lisa)
bought for them to help them out at this time.

This sweet baby cuddled up to me and 
seemed to love having a new toy.

The work is only just beginning to clean
up the mess after the cyclone.

These young men are fixing the power pole
that was knocked down during the storm.

With the newspaper reporter, we visited the stake
president (Tagidunu) and his wife.  He took us to
two different villages in his stake to assess the
damage from the cyclone, and to answer questions
for the Deseret News & Church News article.

These two missionaries are now working in their
casual clothes to work right along side with
the victims of the cyclone to repair their homes.

Sarah, the reporter came with us on this day
when we did eye exams at the Lami chapel.
Because of the storm, our numbers were 
fewer, but still saw about 80 that day.

I often give the younger children a little box of
Smarties I brought from Canada.  They've never
seen them before, but certainly enjoy eating them.

About 600 youth had to sleep at the LDS High School
for a few days following the cyclone. They had performed in the Temple Cultural Celebration. They had to wait
for roads to be opened, or the Ferry docks to be repaired,
before they could return to their respective towns, or islands.

The leaders of the Church decided to have the
youth, who couldn't perform at the Cultural
Celebration on Saturday, perform their dances
at the High School, so they could be recorded
and given to President Eyring to watch.

After all those hours of rehearsals, the youth were
thrilled to perform, especially knowing that
Pres. Erying would be watching the recording.

The missionaries who were also trapped in
Suva after the cyclone, were happy to be able
to watch the youth's performances, as well.

The Fiji population is made up of 40% East Indian,
and 60% Native Fijian.  These two girls, dressed in
the traditional clothing from each culture, were part of
the song, "The Spirit of Fiji" which unites the two
cultures and country. It was a very touching performance.

Since the cyclone struck last weekend, we have been without any electricity for the past week.  We had to throw away a number of things from our fridge and freezer, and suffer in the extreme heat in our apartment, with no fan or air conditioning to renew ourselves, and making it almost impossible to sleep at night.  We really miss having any kind of cold drink from the fridge, and have had to wait in line to buy bread, as soon as it comes out of the generator powered oven at one of the bakeries.  Although we have suffered a little, we fully recognize that we have nothing to complain about, given the fact that so many others lost their homes, crops, and even some family members during the cyclone.  We thank God for protecting us during Fiji's worst cyclone to ever hit.  
We truly feel blessed.