Nakawakawa Damage

Rex wrote:
After Cyclone Winston, I went to Nakawakawa with food and supplies. These are a few of my favorite pictures of the damage:

House leveled

Cassava, front and center, stripped

Tall Bamboo Raggedy Anned (Elder Sievert's description)

Damage near port

Tin off missionary flat attached to church in Nakawakawa

Another view of tin off missionary's flat

Trees down and across road

Natural braiding of big vines

Solar Unit on roof of Chapel still in tact and working perfectly. While most affected areas were out of power, there was still power in Nakawakawa in more ways than one!

New Assembly of God Church leveled

Cassava crop ruined

This palm tree had one frond left to wave goodbye to Cyclone Winston,
"Ha, ha, you forgot one! I'm still alive!"

Outdoor toilet by Chapel of Nakawakawa broken & stripped of its privacy

The lady of this house was in Labasa when she heard her roof was gone.
She was so grateful that her kitchen was still covered.

In the middle, my beautiful fern palms stripped. We have heard people say this is "Nature's Pruning" (Last time we passed new fronds were growing back. Green and perfect!)

When we first heard that Nakawakawa, a branch near the southern end of Vanua Levu, had been hit hard, our first thought was the members. Then we remembered many of the members were safe in Suva and most of the rest of the members were safe at the chapel in Labasa where they had gone to view the rededication ceremony. Our second thought was, “Oh, no! The solar unit! Rex had just installed a solar unit on the roof of the church to give them electricity in the chapel and missionary flat! Hearing that at least 5 homes were flattened and that tin was off many of the others, we feared the solar unit was destroyed. When Rex went down to assess the damage, the missionary apartment connected to the chapel had tin off its roof, but the chapel roof and solar unit were untouched. When most areas hit by the cyclone were without power, Nakawakawa still had power in more ways than one. The very name Nakawakawa means power, and the members are strong in the power of the priesthood. These are resilient, grateful, and faithful people. They still laugh and smile in the midst of a storm and are working hard as a team to rebuild. 

New Solar System Unharmed

On March 8, 2016, we are both here in Nakawakawa with all the young missionaries to help with the clean up.

On the way down, the closer we got to the port, the more damage from Cyclone Winston we saw. So many trees down, power lines down, houses totally leveled or without roofs. Rex had already helped repair the tin on the roof of the missionary apartment. As I stood by the church and looked downward, a vast amount of trees that had once been beautiful and green were stripped bare.

Lepa, Pita’s wife, came and stood beside me. She said, “So much damage.”

I asked, "How with all this terrible damage could the chapel not be harmed.”

She stated resolutely, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” She had said enough.

For service I picked up all the pieces of garbage around the church. Then Sister Elias tried her hand at weed eating the grass. She did a little and left the rest to Lepa, the master. Then the girls helped rake up around the church.

Lepa cutting the lawn

Kids playing with legos in the church

Elias Raking up the grass

The Elders went out with Rex and the priesthood brethren to haul ironwood from the sites where they cut it to the houses where it will be used. As the missionaries arrived on the scene and saw them carrying logs on their shoulders, they thought, “That looks easy!” Rex loved their reactions when they tried to lift it for the first time. Rex hauled the logs to the sites where houses will be built. Pita said it would have cost $150 to hire a truck. He loves Elder Woodward and appreciated the missionaries coming to help.

Before we left Labasa, we bought 4 chickens and other ingredients for Lepa to cook us dinner. When Elder Sieverts asked if he could help, she asked him to cut up the frozen chicken. I said, “Have her show you how.” She took the big clever and smacked the chicken, cutting it halfway down the middle. Turned it over and did the same thing. His eyes were big and his smile wide, as always, but this time in surprise as he watched her make quick work of the chicken. He did a good job following her example. I helped cut up the carrots, cucumbers, onions and smash the garlic, peppers, and fresh ginger. It was dark when we finished up. She cooked the rice in the Elder’s apartment and cooked the Chili Chicken over an open fire. It was quite romantic.

While the chicken cooked, we had Family Home Evening. Pita had invited a few other branch members, and they had invited one nonmember. There were 20 of us. Pita asked Rex to take charge and give the lesson on Pioneers. He did a great job. He told of selected pioneers through the ages and related it to Nakawakawa’s being pioneers. He asked for comments. Many were shared. It was amazing and the Spirit was strong. Then they had a game. The chairs were in a circle with one person in the middle and one empty chair. It was like a human wave with everyone moving to the empty chair and the one in the middle trying to sit down. It was crazy! They loved it!

We didn’t get to eat until 9:30 PM. Lepa did an excellent job. The Chili Chicken was cooked to perfection.

Rex used our battery operated pump to blow up our air mattress, but, with all it could do, it was still way too flat.

I said, “That’s why I wanted you to buy a foot pump. I wish you had just bought one. A flat air mattress is worse than no air mattress.”

He saw my concern for a restless night and started blowing it up the rest of the way with his mouth. That melted my heart. He tries so hard to please me. Even though we ate too late, I slept well on our air mattress, thanks to him.

     Rex is gone to Nakawakawa for the third time in two weeks. He loves the people there and wants to help in any way he can. He comes home for a day of rest and to get clothes washed and leaves again to take more food and supplies. He went down this time to finish building a house he had helped them start; but he spent most of his time yesterday delivering food, driving an hour to the port and waiting for another about 2 hours for two chainsaws the church sent to help with the cleanup efforts in Nakawakawa. Then they went on a wild goose chase trying to locate a gauge they had been offered to use to cut the boards to exact width.

     In the meantime, here in Labasa, my Internet was working, but Facetime wouldn't work. When Rex called, he said to do the hard turn off and turn it on again. It worked like magic! He is so good!

     The Seaqaqa Elders are looking forward to 9 baptisms today, 6 they have been teaching in a little group down towards Nakawakawa, and 3 in Seaqaqa. That is unreal! They used our church computer and our baptismal template to make a program for the 3 and asked me to print it out at the church and send it with the other missionaries who will be attending. I loved how they put the picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the river Jordon on the front cover because they will be baptizing the 3 in the river in Seaqaqa. We attended one there before, and my heart was full of joy.

     About two hours before I was to go to the church, I got a call. Family History Specialists were here from Suva to help members with Temple Ready. They called to ask who would pay for a new ink cartridge for the printer. It wouldn’t work. That meant I couldn’t print the programs there either. I put the program on a flash drive and transferred  it to my computer to print it out here. It didn’t work. My printer was evidently out of ink, too. I was feeling a little desperate, and my hands were shaking. The boys had put so much effort into this program, and without Rex here to make it work, it just wasn’t happening. I just barely got ready in time for the taxi. Before I went out the door, I saw a text from the Seaqaqa Elders. They needed me to fix the program before printing.  Sister Petero, who was listed to bear her testimony, needed to be deleted; and the 3 getting baptized needed to be added to bear their testimonies. If I would have printed it earlier, it would have been majorly wrong. However, even if I fixed it, the church printer wasn’t working. I hurriedly found the hidden key to let myself back in the house and had it handy for my return. The taxi was late, and I knew Kellie would be waiting for her piano lesson or leave thinking I wasn’t coming.

     When I got to the church, a few youth were waiting there, but Kellie was not one of them. (I called her later and found that she had a painful boil on her back, and she hadn’t even gone to school.) Nameeta came and opened the gate, but she didn’t have a key for the Family History Center. Finally the Elders came and let me in. They would be in charge of the youth activity with Rex gone. I told them about the printer. Elder Hariprasad said, “Do you need my help?” He is amazing at fixing things!

     I was so relieved and grateful he was there! I said, “Yes!”

    The printer said it was low in ink. I asked him to take the ink cartridge out and rock it a bit, as Rex always did. It still wouldn’t print. We worked together and found that a sheet of paper was stuck in the printer. Once he removed that, and we got the church computer hooked up, we were able to print the revised programs. I was so happy and felt blessed that it had worked, plus we had the printer fixed for the Family History people to use. They came soon after, and I was able to help and tend them a little. They were grateful. They also work in the Suva temple and said they might be able to help us arrange to go through a session when the girls are here.

     I helped Burnadet and Lucy with keyboarding and visited with Sister Rakuita when she arrived. I am also helping the Labasa 7 prepare applications for their missions. I informed them that if they could have everything done and handed in before next Saturday, President Layton will be here to interview them. They are all trying hard. Most of them will be able to make that happen.

     I was just trying to get up the courage to call a taxi when Hariprasad brought a beautiful less active girl in and said, “She wants to learn piano.”

     We have less than a month and a half before our three daughters come to Fiji. I almost said, “No, there’s just not enough time!” but he had just saved me so I took her to the keyboard and started with my script: “The piano knows the ABC’s, but it’s not as smart as you are. It just knows them up to G. ABCDEFG, ABCDEFG, ABCDEFG, over and over again.” I showed her the location of each of the keys and had her practice. Then I taught her “Peter, Peter, Pumkin Eater” on the black keys which I had learned when I was young. She was ecstatic! I just smiled and praised her for learning the song so quickly.

     Naomi, one of the missionary candidates came in and talked with me. She is waiting for some dental work and for her physical. I told her not to stress if she couldn’t get it together in time for the interview here on March 12. We would still help her make it happen. She threw her arms around me and said, “Sister Woodward, you make me so happy!” I love these people!

     It was dark outside when I went out to try to get a taxi. I was a little scared, not only of the dark, but also of getting inside a car with someone I don’t know. Just then Brother and Sister Naidu drove up and stopped at the store in front of me. I went to visit them. When I told them I was waiting for a taxi, they said, “No! No! Get in. We will take you home!” More blessings! I was so grateful! As I was opening the big gate, Sister Naidu said, “Are you sure you’re okay here all alone. Would you like to come stay at our home with us?” That was so sweet, but I assured her I would be just fine.

     Just as I got inside the house, Rex called. It was so wonderful to hear his voice, and report, and hear of his day. He will be home late tonight. I am just not complete without him by my side. He means the world to me!

    I hope all is well for you!

    Take care of yourselves!

    I love you forever!

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.

Suva Day 2,part 2

Saturday, after meeting with President Eyring, having a delightful lunch, and visiting a while, we all climbed into busses and went to the huge enclosed Vonofone stadium. Rex and Elder Willis were among those who had to stad. We learned Elder Willis was a fighter jet pilot in the Vietnam War. He later flew for American Airlines. When he was little, he told his mother that when he grew up, he wanted to be a fighter jet pilot. His mother said, “You can’t do both.” I guess he never grew up. Rex and he had a lot in common, and they had a great time visiting. Willis told a story of a jet pilot ready for takeoff on an aircraft carrier. You will have to ask Rex to tell you the story when we get home. It has actions that have to be seen.

The celebration was scheduled to be in the outdoor ANZ Rugby Stadium, but because of bad weather, it was moved into the Vodafone stadium across the street. The youth were excited to perform before President Eyring and to celebrate the Suva temple being rededicated. There was a lot of laughter and smiling as they got in their places to perform, which some might think strange ahead of a category 5 cyclone. All the youth circled the stadium, parading past President Eyring in their colorful costumes. It was a joyous occasion. The first three large groups performed, and Taveuni was lined up ready to do their dance when it was announced for everyone to get in position to perform the finale. The finale was spectacular. The Vermeerens and the Czieps were very sad that their youth did not get to perform after all their hard work. The Labasa girls did not get to perform their dance either. Michael, one of the main cameramen for the event, said it wasn’t President Eyring who had shut down the event. The government had called. The person receiving the call had ignored the first few calls trying to allow the performances to take place. When he saw a stopping place, he answered the phone. The government said to either close the event, or they would come close it for them. The edge of the cyclone was bearing down on Suva, and everyone had to be off the streets and in shelter by 5 PM. There was a lot of strong wind and rain. We all looked like drenched rats by the time we got into the bus. We were still giddy and had a great time with the other senior couples. Rex called Rose and President Harward took the phone. He said we were all dying in the Cyclone and announced that we had left nothing for her in the will. He was amazed that she couldn’t be teased. Rex just laughed. He knew who had trained her. On the way up a steep hill, Rex said that it must have been a strong cyclone because it blew out one of our front tires with a loud pop and a hissing sound. The driver pulled off the road and called for help. In about 15 minutes another bus came to take us. We felt sorry for the poor bus driver who would have to get out in the storm and fix his flat tire. When we got back by the temple, there was a big group of young missionaries looking a little confused as to how they were supposed to get home. We went down to the street with the Roths to get a taxi. There were none. We didn’t know about the curfew, and they were all off the streets. When Elder Allldredge saw our predicament, he offered to drive us back to the hotel. We could definitely see there was a problem as he had to swerve to dodge branches flying off trees right in front of him. He made the comment that he had never seen the road so bare. It was usually hectic traffic. We got safely back to the hotel, and Elder Allldredge made it safely home.

When we got to our room, there was water on the floor, but it seemed to be coming from the hallway, not the outside. The boats were being tossed hard in the harbor, waves were coming a little over the retaining wall, and rain was coming into the lower floor of the lobby. They sandbagged the upper floor to prepare for the worst of the storm predicted to come about midnight. Since our hotel room was on the bottom floor, we asked if they were going to sandbag outside our glass door facing the ocean. We could visualize waking up in the middle of the night with water 2 feet deep in our room. The restaurant was closed so Rex bought some pop, Twisties (like Cheetos), and peanuts for dinner. We had brought apples from home so I was good. 
Vermeeren's were very worried about their beloved Taveuni that had taken a direct hit and went to bed early. Refusing to let the storm dampen our spirits, and trying to help them keep their mind off what they were going to face when they got home to Taveuni, we played cards with the Czieps and laughed and talked until 10 PM. 

Elder Willis in the front, Alldrege just behind him

This is the life!

Elder Nabuti in front of the Vodafone Arena

Circling the arena

Colorful event

Some of our girls in white

Some of our boys lined up in the corridor right below us

Take our picture!

Leo and Rahul

Gathered from many islands to perform

Our seats were leaning way forward. The row in front of us was off it's hinges.
These girls gave up and knelt down through the performance.

End of Grand Finale. We missed the boy acting as Angel Moroni with his trumpet. They lifted up in the middle. 

Soaked, but happy to be in the bus.  We had to hold the tarps down so the wind and rain wouldn't come in.

It's only flat on the bottom. We just need to turn it around.

Water and sandbags 

Wet but happy. We loved our trip. We knew it would be a highlight of our mission, but had no idea Cyclone Winston would add a whole new scope.