Suva caught the edge of Cyclone Winston the night before the temple rededication. We were to go to the noon session and be seated by 11:30. There was a government curfew in effect. The streets were almost bare except all the debris on the road. At 11 AM we and the Roths were standing on the side of the highway waiting for a taxi. Usually one would pass every couple of minutes, but there were no taxis. After waiting over 10 minutes, people arriving at the Hotel said roads were blocked by police and no taxis could come. We were praying hard when a man in a regular car blinked his lights, stopped, and offered to drive us. Brother Roth guided him to the temple. He was a nonmember. We had a great visit on the way, and Rex paid him more than double the going rate. He was happy, and we were ecstatic! We made it there 5 minutes before they shut the doors. We count it as a miracle. In the rededication ceremony, just before the Hosanna Shout, as Elder Cook was speaking in huge clap of thunder sounded almost as if it had hit the lightning rod on Angel Moroni's head. Cook had to smile a little. We thought it made a good audio effect for the ceremony. We were able to take pictures in the sunshine when we went out before the rains started again. I love the Lord and all His Tender mercies!

The morning after, we felt blessed to just have a few fronds down
Our room is in this picture, on the bottom floor, this close to the ocean
as the night before waves were splashing over the retaining wall.
The calm after the storm. All the boats are safe.

The hotel was sandbagged and all the furniture moved from the lower level. Instead of an all you can eat buffet breakfast, we had a cold sandwich and pastries in a Styrofoam container.

Coming for the rededication, this couple from Sydney, Australia
love and admire Paul Murdock who was a missionary there.

Always time for a selfie

Elder and Sister Roth. Notice the branches on the road.
Some big trees went down in the cyclone, but most are standing,
and we saw no houses damaged in Suva.

We had time to take pictures as we waited for a taxi.

We met this young couple in the temple. His father is good friends with President Peterson.
Pita and Esekaia from Nakawakawa are on the other end.

Our good friend Pita Vakalala of Nakawakawa!

Sonny Maiwiriwiri is the one who invited us to President Eyring's welcoming ceremony.
He had done amazing things to help Fiji in Self Reliance

President and Sister Wooley, past mission president
who helped us find the Browns for Brother Chetty

Elder and Sister Roth. We are happy to serve with them and call them our good friends.

Feeling so blessed to be able to attend the Suva Temple Rededication.
We love this land and its people.