Typhoon season is coming for sure. For the next 6 months. Beginning this week with Typhoon Glenda. It was really scary, actually... scarier for me than
Typhoon Yolanda. Santa Cruz, my area was hit the worst is what we heard from
the other missionaries. The wind was over 115 miles per hour, and all four of
us took out the windows in the other sister's room because the pressure of the
wind was so strong; strong enough to break out these windows. And we wouldn't
want to have shattered glass come speeding toward us! Then we moved their bunk
bed to the window to help the pressure. We got our 72 hour kits and slept
all of us in Sister Dadivas and my little room and sang some hymns by candlelight,
but couldn't even hear anything accept the wind and rain. The storm started at
about 11 pm. Of course we had early curfew because we were Signal 2 (which
means you need to stay inside). So Sister Dadivas and I taught one lesson and got
home at 6 pm. We couldn't sleep at all that night since the storm went until
the early morning. We finally fell asleep around 5 am, and the storm was
over. We enjoyed the silence of the storm being over. We all woke up at about
10 am. It definitely was a rough night for us.
We looked out the windows and saw the damage... we quickly ate
some rice and then went out to visit the members and investigators to see if
they were hurt or anything. NOTHING could explain the feeling of humility I
felt as I rode the tricycle, looking at the damaged town. The roofs on houses
were gone, houses were completely fallen over, poles were in streets and in
some houses, and the worst, the "budget lane" sign had fallen on our
church roof.
In spite of everything I saw, the greatest thing I saw: people
were up on their roof trying to fix up their tiny little bamboo house. Most of
their things were just gone, but still trying to fix up what they had. I've
never seen a stronger people than these ever in my life.
This past week has been a rough one... some of the people had to evacuate
because the storm became a Signal 4 storm which means EVACUATE NOW! After we
visited the members and checked up on our investigators, we had no electricity.
So for the past week I've washed my clothes on my kitchen floor with candles,
planned by candlelight, and sweated more than I ever have in my life because
it's so hot. I've learned to do many things in the dark..haha!... You should
try it sometime! It's been a learning experience. When we got our electricity
back, I felt like a rich girl on Christmas. :) I ran upstairs and said,
"Sisters! wake up! We have electricity!!!!" (this was like 6:15
am because I woke up early to take a bucket shower since our water is low) Let's
just say I've not really slept that well this week. We also have had an earlier
curfew because there's no street lights so of course it's not very safe to
walk. But we have flashlights. :) There's
a projected time line of no electricity for one month. We just barely got our
electricity on our street, but not everyone has electricity yet. We spent all
day today looking to see if there was a cafe shop with internet and we finally
found one! I'm so lucky to be able to communicate to you guys right now!
In spite of my trials this week, I know we are so much more
blessed than our investigators and other people trying to salvage their homes.
I just want to cry because of the level of humility I've been brought down to.
And yet on Sunday, people still came to Church. WE ARE SO BLESSED. Never waste
ANYTHING!
I'm happy to say I'm still here in Santa Cruz! :) YAY! Which means
still working with Willmar, and Alex. The two highlights in my mission! Willmar
came to church AGAIN with Jennifer and their little son.. I love Willmar so
much. This week we taught him again the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the lesson
when it was my turn to teach, I just asked him this question: "Willmar,
how does it make you feel to know that you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven
unless you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? What do you think about
that?" His response: "Well, then I better just do it." I loved
that so much. I'm not sure if I will be here to see him be baptized since he
needs to get married still... but I know he's ready. The Lord has given him to
me because of two reasons A: He is prepared and ready to enter the covenant of
baptism and B: He's our only progressing investigator in this area. Heavenly
Father gave me that as a tender mercy so that I wouldn't be so down and out
about the work here. :)
Anyways... things are good. I'm glad you had all had a good week!
Also, Congrats to Grandpa Seastrand!! WOW! He's the best. The backyard reunion
sounds like it was fun. I miss those activities. Maybe we can do it again in
about 7 months? :) It's quite the life,
the life of a missionary. I love it. I don't want to change it. I like what Jessy
said about not going back to how you were once you get home. It's so true! I
must admit, I love being a missionary. No matter my trials that are in my life,
I love teaching, I love the Philippines, I love Willmar and Alex. I love it
all! Even the 'no water, no electricity, and big typhoons' :) It's a good time
for service. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that it was appropriate to take
pictures of the damage, especially as a foreigner. There is a lot of sadness.
But I will never forget the images I see. I will share them with you when I
come home. I will miss it in 7 months. I can't even believe how fast time is.
I hope you have a great week this week!! Just know I love you all so
much. I'm doing alright :) We will survive and get back to normal. :)
Sister Seastrand
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