Crazy Weather

The following are words and pictures from our good friends, Nelson and Terri Beard, who are a senior missionary couple serving in the southwest corner of our mission. We had lots of wind and rain a few weeks ago and their area of the mission probably received the most. Here is their story:

September 16, 1:29 PM

The Sipalay Zone has been under the gun over the last week. We have had many rain and landslide warnings. Many of the chapels have been opened to accommodate those who had to evacuate. Right now, the rain has let up a bit to give us a reprieve. We are all, however, without a signal for cell phones and we are using our Starlink to send this. Because of the frequent electrical outages and lack of a signal, the missionaries have been unable to access any of the ATMs. [Accessing an ATM is essential because the Philippines is a cash-based society and the missionaries withdraw cash from their Mission Support Fund every two weeks to pay for food, groceries, transportation, rent, and other expenses.] This, however, has not dampened their spirits.

We learned that the Asia Branch members arrived at church yesterday to find their building on fire. They got the fire out; the fire department thought it was an electrical fire. The Sipalay, Nebulao, Hinoba-an, and Asia elders and sisters all went there this morning to help clean.  

It was sad to see their beautiful building covered with soot. Fortunately, it is structurally sound, but will require extensive work inside to get it fully cleaned and usable again. The missionaries came and worked really hard to clean what they could. They were unable to clean walls and ceilings. Trying to wipe them clean just smeared the soot. The church facilities manager told them to just clean floors, doors, chalkboards, picture frames, chairs, and the stairway.

They were hard and cheerful workers. The branch president was very appreciative and brought them sweet snacks and soda pop. We were proud of them all.

September 17, 11:52 AM

The Sipalay elders and sisters are without a cellphone signal and all the ATMs are not functional. Sister Beard and I are heading east to try to find ATMs to help with accessing support funds. We just got this signal near Asia. We thought we would let you know that if you can't reach Sipalay it is because they are without signal.

We are able to communicate in our apartment with our Starlink, but we do not have a cellphone signal outside of our apartment. The church building is also without a signal. We will let you know later if we are able to find functioning ATMs.

September 17, 4:38 PM

We made it back with support funds for all in our district. The Candoni elders had to leave before we got back. They said they could make it another week. We may drive their funds to them in a day or two.

We had to go to Bayawan to find a working ATM. 

Weather conditions are very bad from Bayawan all the way to Cauayan. Most branches have opened their chapels for evacuees. As we drove, we saw a small landslide, and trees and power lines down all along the National Highway. We also saw many people just standing on the highway looking at their flooded homes. Even though I think our missionaries would go out in any weather, we have encouraged them to use wisdom, especially when going out after dark, in heavy rain and flooding conditions.  

We still have no signal in Sipalay unless we are here in our apartment. There are very few cell towers working from Bayawan to Cauyayan. However, these wonderful missionaries are continuing their work with a smile.

🚨🚨🚨 ALL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY OVERFLOWING OF SIPALAY RIVER PLEASE PREPARE FOR EVACUATION🚨🚨🚨

AOR MONITORING AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 -2:30 PM

Related to effects of SOUTHWEST MONSOON ENHANCED BY TD GENER 

🌦Current Weather Conditions: LIGHT RAINS, MODERATE WINDS 

🌊Coastal Water: ROUGH SEAS

🫧 River System: 3.8M/RED WARNING LEVEL

🚨🚨🚨 ALL RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY OVERFLOWING OF SIPALAY RIVER PLEASE PREPARE FOR EVACUATION🚨🚨🚨

The above message is from the local government.  All missionary apartments in the zone are OK at this time. Prayers are appreciated. 🙏

September 17, 8:20 PM

Just to update you on evacuations. The Sipalay River is just about over the bridge. Everyone around the elders' apartment has already evacuated. So, we are evacuating the elders and bringing them here to our apartment. They said they would be fine sleeping on the floor. We also have the Candoni elders here tonight. There was a landslide and flooding on the road when they tried to return home after their district meeting, and the bus just turned around and would not go to Candoni. So, they are stuck here for now. We are hoping this weather system will move out tomorrow and the roads will start to clear up.

September 18, 12:17 PM

Elders' apartment made it through the flood. We are taking them back as the rain has passed over us now. Funny comment...they said our floor was the most "luxurious" tile floor they had ever slept on. Elder Navarro went to the dentist this morning with a painful tooth. He is currently on an antibiotic to see if that will help. If it doesn't, he might need a root canal. He has contacted the health advisor about it. We checked with the Ceres bus line and the road is now open to Candoni, but Sister Beard and I will drive them back to confirm that their apartment is dry and safe.

It looks like the storm has passed, and things will be much drier in the next few days.

[Additional photos from church fire.]