CYCLONE COOK

The calm before the storm.  This is the sunset from the end of our street on Sunday night before the storm rolled in.  It had been overcast all day and we weren't expecting such a glorious sunset when we went for a Sunday evening stroll.

  

These brothers gathered at the church Monday morning to make sure the building was open and ready for any members or others who don't have adequate shelter.  A lot of people here construct homes from boards and corrugated tin.  These neighborhoods are referred to as "squats."

After noon everyone the government required everyone to stay inside.  The winds blew the trees until they were horizontal and drove rain under the door in the hallway outside our apartment.  Because New Caledonia has good storm drains we didn't experience the flooding or washed-out roads that occurred when the storm struck Vanuatu.  The storm picked up speed and the worst of it arrived sooner than expected and didn't last long.  By about 11 p.m. the winds had died down and, after strong winds all day, the night seemed calm.



Early Tuesday morning:  the skies were clearing and most of the trees were upright again.  A gorgeous rainbow spanned the sky. Our street, in the fore-ground of the picture,  is almost at sea-level and we live on the second floor. We were glad we didn't get the huge swells or high waves that were predicted.






Some of the missionaries in the north are without water and electricity--hopefully not for long.  We were without electricity about 40 minutes early on and were worried we might be without as the storm worsened.  The damage around our neighborhood resembled Hidden Oaks after a micro-burst except instead of oak and cottonwood limbs we have palm fronds and coconuts.  The structure below was an elegant tree-top retreat with beautiful hand carved furniture. Our neighbor is a wood-carver.

A sad thing for me is that the limb of the lime tree, that overhangs our parking lot, broke off. The limes are little and very juicy.  From March through September they fall off the tree and if I can pick them up before they get run over we have really enjoyed them.  I'm afraid we will get few or none now, but  this morning we picked up what blew down in the storm.

When we were first in New Caledonia a huge crane fell across a road during a heavy rain storm. We were a little concerned about this one at the top of the hill by our apartment, but it was still standing this morning. 

Fortunately the storm damage in our neighborhood is negligible. The phone has rung all morning. We haven't been able to get ready and leave.  We are headed to the bureau now to see how how bad the damage to our chapel is.  Yesterday was transfers.  They will be happening today. We are so grateful all the missionaries weathered the storm just fine.

TIME "MARCH"ES ON

TIME MARCHES ON

Another month has quickly passed.  Each day brings its share of interruptions and challenges.  The other day we had managed to get a great deal done before 11 a.m.  I said, "Today everything has gone smoothly. We've already gotten so much done!" Things fell apart.  By the end of of the day Elder Glade said, "Don't ever say that again!"  We are always trying to keep the office work done. There are always surprises.  Days end before we get everything done, but time passes and we seem to stay afloat.   

There always seem to be doctor and dentist visits, sprains, eye infections, diarrhea, headaches, rashes and sore throats.  This month brought two minor surgeries: a sister missionary had to change out of her missionary clothes before entering the OR.   I had some skin cancer removed from my cheek because it was getting bigger. The sweet Indonesian woman who assisted the doctor put her hands together and said "Pray Jesus." I don't know if she was telling me to or asking me if I had, but it was kind and comforting.  

The sister's companions kept busy while they waited for her.  They actually had done a good job talking to people in the waiting room, but they still found time to pursue a favorite pass time--taking selfies.  I don't know how they get a hold of Elder Glade's phone so frequently. 
It is always a mystery to him how these photos end up on his phone. 


There are always issues with cars--accidents, check-ups, repairs, tires.  This month the mission got three new trucks for the six elders up north.  Obviously they are excited and hopefully careful.

We had another zone conference.  This time I was in charge of lunch. In the past we have walked to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant.  The weather has been very hot most days, but the day of zone conference was pleasant enough to eat outside, and the ice cream didn't melt faster than the missionaries could eat it.

These 8 missionaries were in the MTC together.  This is the last time they will be together before the 4 sisters head home in the next two transfers.  We are losing more missionaries than are coming to New Caledonia.  Vanuatu is losing more missionaries than we are. Some of the missionaries here are being transferred to Vanuatu.  

This has led to closing two more apartments, a complicated process here and a lot of work. The office elders are helping us sort through the items brought down from the Poro apartment. Thankfully it was furnished and we didn't have to figure out what to do with furniture.

We are grateful when we occasionally have a chance to observe two missionaries have companionship study. It was a blessing to be able to watch these two Tahitian elders share, ask each other questions, and teach each other from the scriptures.  One is a recent convert who has already gained a marvelous knowledge of the gospel.





At each baptism we are reminded it is all worth it.  One young man was baptized the day he turned 18.  His mother, who is Catholic,  wouldn't let him become a member until he was 18 and he was unwilling to wait one day longer.  He had gone with his father, step-mother, older brother, and younger sister (fairly recent converts) to the temple in New Zealand.  He waited outside while they were sealed as a family and his brother was endowed before going on a mission.  Now he is looking forward to being sealed to his family and going on a mission himself.  I have never witnessed a more joyful experience than his baptism as his family and friends rejoiced with him.

Another highlight for us this month was spending time with a wonderful young family that is learning about the church. The family has attended our ward a few times.  We love being able to see the excitement people feel as they begin to learn about the gospel.  

Right now I am hurrying to finish this post while Cyclone Cook rages outside.  Everyone in New Caledonia has to be inside from noon until the cyclone passes. It may be a couple of days. The worst of the storm is still a few hours away.  We and all the missionaries have plenty of water and food and gas in our cars.  I was able to write this because we didn't go to the office today and I'm glad the electricity has stayed on long enough for me to finish.  I am grateful for the peace the gospel brings even when storms surround us.