Typhoon Recovery Update

We have spend 2 days at a stake center helping pack 5,000 hygiene kits for emergency relief down in and around Tacloban.  Dad took charge of the hygiene kits and made 600 few Filippino friends as they chuckled at his jokes and his way of doing things.  He,of course, was very organized.  The supplies were not there in a timely manner.  The members were less stressed than we were.  We had to handle the bags more than once.

I floated between the food packing and the hygiene packing.  I took many pictures and listened to a lot of stories of people's families lost in the typhoon.  It was heartbreaking. Most people have heard from family members now.  A lot of bodies were washed into the sea or torn apart by the wind.

The first of our Tacloban missionaries arrived here last night with harrowing stories of winds, flooding, and collapsed houses.  Some were stuck in their homes for 3 days with only their emergency supplies.  They were finally all contacted by our members from here who went out to find them and bring them to the Manila airport.  A church member happened to be on duty at the airport and after waiting at least 12 hours, the first group was flown out on a C-130 (?).  We met them at the airport.

Our next to the last group has just arrived.  There are 20 of them.  Elder Nielsen greeted them with much love and told them how we would care for them while they are with us.  Some wiped tears from their eyes.  Most have nothing.  Our missionaries and members have donated clothes and shoes.  The church purchased 150 new suitcases.  Sister Nielsen took the sisters shopping.  The church will buy anything new they need.  The distribution center is staying open late (that's a feat).  Dad has them all downstairs now.  They are calling their parents.  It is 3 am in the states and I assured them their parents would not mind being awakened.  

Its heartbreaking and relieved, and happy and sad.

Love to all

MOM