Neighboring Disaster

 Every year we get word of cyclones. They don’t usually come right over us. They usually are just in the general area. Almost always they end up giving us a day or two of some heavier rain and wind. Sometimes we haven’t paid attention to the weather reports and only learn after the fact that a spat of bad weather was actually from a cyclone.

The rain coming down on Clove Island

This time was a bit different. As I said, usually the paths of cyclones don’t come directly at us. And usually if they get close, they have weakened significantly before they get here. This time, we had neither reassurance.

So a few days ahead of time, we knew a cyclone was coming, but our island is small and minor changes in the cyclone’s path can make a big difference. So we started praying for it to weaken and the path to change.

Our guest waits for a break

Our friends on a neighboring island in our region (also potentially in the storm’s path) reached out to us with concern. Their island was preparing for the storm and had closed schools a day ahead of time so everyone could get ready.  That didn’t happen here. Most Clove Islanders were pretty nonchalant about it. Over the years they have heard rumors of enough cyclones without it amounting to much, that they won’t seem to realize that this could be bad. On the morning of the cyclone, we had someone show up at our house in the morning to visit us like it was a normal slightly-rainy day. We thought we might have him with us for the duration of the storm, but he ended up getting on his way to family before the winds started picking up.  

Ultimately, the cyclone did weaken some and it didn’t hit Clove Island directly. We spent the day inside and we had some intense winds and rain. But from around Clove Island we have only heard stories of minor flooding, some downed trees, and some tin sheets that weren’t properly secured flying off of some roofs.

The neighbor island was not as fortunate. They were hit directly by the cyclone. They spend the storm in their homes or in shelters, watching the extreme winds tear apart houses and lift off roofs. In a handful of hours, thousands of homes were destroyed. Those that were most vulnerable are the hardest hit— the poor, the people without legal papers, the ones living in shacks and shanty-towns.  Clove Island has had life go back to normal, but our neighbor island is a disaster zone.

Earlier in the week, blue skies

It could have been here, if the path of the storm had been different.  We are thankful, but it is a bittersweet thankfulness when we hear the stories of our neighbors. Life there will not recover for a long time. God have mercy.

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We are thankful that Clove Island was spared from the worst of the cyclone. We are also thankful to have had some contact with our friends on the neighbor island— and know that they are safe.  Our friends’ baby was born safely at 34 weeks and in good health.  Mom is recovering well too.  Muki and Mtsa continue to come and Mtsa continues to show signs of genuine heart change.  We are still really enjoying our kids being home—we just finished reading The Lord of the Rings together!  There has been no more trouble (at the moment) for our sister on the small island.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Pray for the neighboring island.  News from the neighboring island is still coming in and the extent of devastation only seems to be growing.  Many have lost loved ones.  Many are injured.  A great many have lost their homes completely.  Moreover, no one knows what the coming days may hold.  Will the government and aid groups be able to help?  Will there be lawlessness?  Riots?  Disease?  All seem like possibilities, but we are praying for peace and cooperation from all parties.  This week we will have some holiday parties for both brothers and sisters, and our English students.  May it be an opportunity to shine brightly and give people hope.