What a week! Basically we spent all of last week doing CPS (community service projects) and our curfew is 6 because there is no power, so it's been hard. We are headed to Tacloban tomorrow until Thursday night for mission tour so I'm excited for that! But the hardest thing has been seeing the damage that has happened. I will try to tell you everything.
On December 2nd Sister Skey and I met with Sister Salvacion and had a great lesson. After the lesson Sister Salvacion asked us if we had heard about the typhoon, and if we were prepared. Um what? So we started asking around and everyone said yeah a super typhoon is coming so you need to prepare. At this point we hadn't heard anything from President Maurer or the AP's so we waited.
Thursday comes and that's an all day cleaning day because transfers were the next day. We were sad to hear that sister Groshe was transferring, and as we were cleaning and helping her pack we got a text that told us to pack a 1 week supply of food and clothes and evacuate to the chapel because a super typhoon was headed right for Catarman. YIKES!! I honestly got a little scared at first, but I knew we would be okay. I was more worried for my area. We evacuated to the chapel and were so blessed to get updates from our stake president, President Pedrola, because he works for the weather station, blessing!!!
The whole Catarman zone evacuated to the stake center and we were there for 4 days. It seemed like forever! The storm was really scary. I just laid there on the tile floor in the relief society room looking out the window watching tin roofs flying and trees falling over. All of the Sisters slept in the relief society room and the elders on the stage. We tried to make the best of it and the members really looked up to us. They kept telling us they knew we were safe because we were servants of the Lord. My zone is seriously the best! We became even closer as a zone as we said constant prayers together and started a fast Saturday night. 2 hours after we (and all the Tacloban Philippine missionaries) started our fast, typhoon ruby was no longer headed to Catarman, but instead made a surprising turn. We did get hit, but there was no storm surge which we are so thankful for! Also the strength of the storm decreased a lot!
We were able to leave the chapel Monday and go back home. Sister Skey and I really wanted to go check our area. When we went to the area where the Sarmientos live tears filled my eyes as houses were crumbled to the ground. We immediately went to the Sarmientos and their house was to the ground. But what did they do when they saw us? Smiled and asked us if we were doing okay. I started to talk to Brother Sarmeinto and I said with tears in my eyes, pointing to his home, "Sayung brother...I'm so sorry. Malipayon kami magbulig sa inyo buwas." (We are happy to come and help you all tomorrow) And he just put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Okay lang Sister Wilde, mahusay siya...salamat para sa nagbisita kami." (It's okay Sister Wilde, it's beautiful (pointing to his home with a little chuckle) thank you for coming and visiting us.) Could he be any sweeter? The people here are amazing and continue to amaze me as they've come together to rebuild each other’s homes. I feel so blessed that I've been able to be a part of it!
We still have no power or water, but we are getting along just fine. I could feel all of the prayers and love from all of you back home! I love you all so much! Take care!
Sister Wilde
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| This was my bag for the week. |
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| This is how Sister Skey and I left our room. We were nervous about losing all of our things. |
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| Waiting out the storm at the church |
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| Elder Villaneuava woke up during our photo shoot |
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| We thought we were funny taking pictures with the elders sleeping. Haha so fun! |
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| Elder Maguale, He is the best!! And some cute random little girl who wanted to be in the picture. |
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| Sister Clerigo "sleeping" |
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| BEST ZONE EVER!!! This was taken during the typhoon. We all smelled because there were no showers or fans, but we are so happy! |
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| Sister Rodrigo, Sister Skey, and I! We got to be a trisome companionship again for a little while. |
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| Elder Parcell is the bomb! He is from Samoa |
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| This is how I looked after 4 days of being in the chapel. So haggard! haha but that's okay! Malipayon ak! |
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| Sister Sol and I! This is our "We made it through typhoon Ruby!!!" hug. |
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| Here I am right after I showered when we got home. I am wearing the nanay dress Sister Groshe gave me! |
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| Myrna and her two boys. She is a returning LA! |
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| This is Pablo, a ward missionary. We took this picture because of all the pink! |
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| Selfie with a Carabao, it's like a water buffalo |
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| Jerico, Pablo, and Rick. Future missionaries! All leaving in January! |
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| Drinking out of a coconut! SO YUMMY! |
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| I also tried sugar cane! It's alright ;) |
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| Our last day being in a trisome companionship so we went to the beach. |
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| So windy! |
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| I love you Mom, Dad, Kaden, Carter, and Tate!!!!! (Gracie too) |
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| It is so beautiful here! |
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| Before the typhoon. Petty cab ride. |
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| Sister Rodrigo and I doing laundry! I always pump the water because they all think I'm so strong. Haha! |
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| Having some fun taking random selfies. I love Sister Skey! |
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| Sunday! |
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| Saw this monkey and almost peed my pants. Yeah, didn't go near it! |
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