18 Tacloban missionaries arrive in our mission to stay

     Today is Sunday. Early this morning 18 Tacloban missionaries were picked up at the airport as they become part of our mission here in Cebu. We are thrilled to have them join our ranks.

Elder Sommerfeldt visited with members of the Australian Army 

at the airport  who were coming to help in Tacloban. 

As Elder Sommerfeldt drove a temple van to the airport to transport missionaries and luggage,

Sister Sommerfeldt set out breakfast in anticipation of their return.

     This is the  mission home  - the  lovely, welcoming home of President and Sister Schmutz.

Here are pictures of some of the rooms, decorated for Christmas already, of course, because November is a ...ber month, and Christmas is celebrated - Christmas songs and all - in all the months ending in ....ber.

Front Entry

Living Room

Dining  Room

 Family Room

Kitchen

Unique Filipino Shell Decoration

     Upon their arrival, the house filled with greetings, hugs, handshakes, and happy voices. They had been up since 2:00 a.m. to meet their flight from Manilla, so breakfast was well-received.

 Part of the activity of the morning was our new missionaries introducing themselves and bearing their testimonies. These young people are strong in the faith and their testimonies have only been strengthened as they have survived some horrendous experiences.

I will share two stories with you here:
An elder from Wellsville, Utah related to Elder Sommerfeldt that once the storm began, the front door of their house was blown open so forcefully that the top hinge broke. For almost an hour, he and his companion took turns pushing the door up to prevent the door from collapsing into the apartment. After the storm had passed, with no communication available, they made their way back to the mission home in Tacloban. They had to walk over 12 km., having to walk through the worst part of the devastation. He told how he walked by many bodies lying in the street, and the horrible stench. He further described  his fear for their safety as they witnessed terrible looting and mobs running about with everything from TVs to food. Upon arrival at the mission home in Tacloban, some of the water had subsided there, however the mission home was left with 6 feet of mud and sludge throughout the house. A total loss. He indicated to him that he felt it would be at least a year before essential services were returned to the area and missionaries could return.

A sister who has only been in the country for 5 months, told of her harrowing experience of survival and escape. Ten sisters had been told by their mission president to band together in this sister's house. The sisters were on the second floor of the house and realized that the horrific wind was forcing the driving rain in through windows and under doors and filling the house with water. As the water came up the stairs, two sisters literally swam down through the water trying to open the front door, to no avail. Finally, one sister remembered that there was a hole in the laundry room ceiling, and the sisters swam into that room, made the hole larger out onto the roof of the building, and they all climbed out onto the roof. Cramped together for warmth and to make room for everyone, they waited and prayed. Two hours later, they were rescued by a boat. In her testimony, this sister talked about the power of God - both in the force of the storm, and in protecting His missionaries.

These missionaries have been through much. They will be a tremendous asset to our mission, even as they continue to be concerned about the members and investigators left behind in Leyte.

This is Elder Mejos, one of the assistants to the President.  

It is his 21st birthday today. Of course we all celebrated with him.