Cyclone Hits Vanuatu

My I-Phone is set up to receive google alerts for Vanuatu.  I have received numerous alerts regarding cyclones and earthquakes, but this one seemed to be the worst yet.  Instead of lasting hours, like the ones in the past, Cyclone Lusi lasted 3 days.  A week of worry, and praying that Sister Brown and the other's of her island would be safe from harms way.

I was anxiously awaiting her email Sunday, and was so happy when I finally heard from her.  This is what she said:

"It didn't directly hit us, it was about 60 miles off the coast, but oh my did we feel it.  On Monday my companion and I had a feeling that we should stock up on some extra food.  In our district meeting Monday morning they gave us an emergency plan (they had no idea at that time), and then Monday mid morning it hit.  I freaked a little when I saw our neighbors nailing copper onto their windows.  We went and helped them and my heart may have been pounding a bit!  I heard that 2 people were killed here in Malekula.  People say that cyclones don't usually hit here so it's a little weird.

We were grateful we listened to the spirit and purchased food because when the storm hit all the stores closed.  It lasted until Wednesday.  Huge trees fell over, all our banana trees fell over, and all night you could hear coconuts crashing down to the ground.  On Thursday we did a big service in the
morning to help clean up a young widows yard.  One of her huge trees got pulled out of the ground so we had to cut off all the branches with an ax and bush knife and replant it.  It was so big that we had to use some man's truck to pull it back so it would stand up straight.  Pretty crazy."

Bless her heart.  Those who know Sister Brown, know that she is an anxious young lady.  She was always worried about something.  When our family vacationed on the island of St. Thomas, she didn't want to go because she was afraid of a hurricane.  She has had to face almost every fear she ever had.  Some that she has faced are:  flying in small airplanes (8 man); volcano's shaking her hut, with the ash spewing from the volcano so thick it began thinning her hair in Tana; limited clean water in Tana; adjusting to the food; learning a new language; tending to her companion's huge bug bites; nursing another companion that had Dengue Fever; a serious infection in her leg (almost ending her mission); MRSA on her face (unconfirmed but I diagnosed from here based on the information she gave me); earthquakes; and cyclones.  This is just to name a few.  However, she couldn't be happier. Amidst all the difficulties she said:

"I am the happiest I have ever been in my whole life and I know it is
because of the great work I am able to be a part in.  Every day of our
lives we will face challenges and hardships, but every day we have the
choice to change and become better than we were yesterday.  It is
never too late for someone to change.  We must never lose hope and
give up on ourselves or those we love because Papa God will never give
up on any of his children.  He wants every single one of us to go back
to him. Always remember the words of President Monson, "There is no
time like the present to rededicate yourself" Become the person that
you want to be by changing yourself and becoming better every day.  I
love my mission.  I thank Papa God every single day for the chance I
have to be out here serving him.  I love all of you!!! And I hope you
all have a great week!!"

She is my hero!


Tropical cyclone hits Vanuatu

World

Friday 14 March 2014 - 7:38am

FILE: A search-and-rescue team was deployed after Three people were killed and six went missing after a cyclone hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu. Picture: AFP / Sarah Ivey

WELLINGTON - Three people were killed and six missing after a cyclone hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu, officials said on Friday.

Tropical Cyclone Lusi swept across the country this week and damage assessments were still coming in from remote areas, the National Disaster Management Office said Office director Shadrack Welegtabit said three deaths had been confirmed and a search was underway for six missing women and children.

"A search-and-rescue team was deployed yesterday and we are now waiting to hear from them," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the cyclone had caused widespread flooding and damaged crops.
Lusi has since travelled south and was losing intensity on Friday as it approached New Zealand.

It is expected to be downgraded to a severe storm early Saturday but New Zealand authorities were still warning some residents to prepare for strong winds, heavy rains and possible flooding.