“Fiji facing an ordeal of the most grievous kind” – Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama

by | Feb 20, 2016

Fiji:  Meteorologists are reporting that Fiji is currently being pounded by its first Category 5 Storm on Record.

Click here for current position update!

Sunday Afternoon – 02/21 Update from Fiji!

20160220Track

As of 7:37pm local time (Fiji) , Cyclone Winston was directly overhead of the islands of Fiji.  Reports are that the current sustained winds are 288 kph (180 mph) with gusts to 352 kph (220 mph).  To put this in some sort of perspective, these winds are in the range of a devastating  F4 class Tornado.

Winds of this speed are characterized by being able to remove roofs and walls off well-constructed houses, over turn trains, lift and throw heavy cars.

7:37pm Local Time, Saturday, February 20th, 2016

7:37pm Local Time, Saturday, February 20th, 2016

 

Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator, Harmon Schmelzenbach, was able to make a very short phone contact with Nazarene General Board Member Rev.  Kavoa Muaror who lives in Fiji.

pacific-islands FijiRev. Kafoa reported that the trees around them are bent completely over with winds screaming like never before.

Multiple messages have been received from missionary friends in Suva reporting:

  • No power now, incredible screaming, howling, smashing, crashing all around.
  • This is not good and getting worse. Thank you for your thoughts & prayers!
  • Very, very, scary. This is HORRIBLE!
  • I keep thinking it couldn’t get worse and yet it is! No sleep tonight, water coming in everywhere!

Please take a moment, stop, and pray for the Lord’s  supernatural safety, protection and peace for those who are living through this record-breaking storm.

Todd & Connie Lou Aebischer

Todd and Connie Lou Aebischer served as Regional Communications Coordinator - Regional NMI Coordinator respectively for over 4 years. They are now serving in Papua New Guinea under Mission Aviation Fellowship as Country Director / Program Director.

Related Posts

NCM Indonesia Extends Help to Earthquake Survivors

NCM Indonesia Extends Help to Earthquake Survivors

Between late July and August 2025, as Indonesia marked its 80th Anniversary of Independence, a magnitude 6 earthquake struck the Poso region of Central Sulawesi. In response, the Sulawesi District Church of the Nazarene, through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries,...

read more
God’s Faithfulness in INTC’s 39th Graduation

God’s Faithfulness in INTC’s 39th Graduation

On 26 August 2025, the Indonesia Nazarene Theological College (INTC), with God's grace and help, successfully held its 39th Graduation Ceremony 2025, with the theme "Godly and Faithful Servants of God Until the End." This year, INTC graduated 13 students from...

read more
Empowering Leaders for a Stronger District

Empowering Leaders for a Stronger District

Indonesia: From 1 to 3 July 2025, the Java-Bali District Church of the Nazarene held a District Pastors' Retreat with the theme "The Nazarene Family is Ready to Face Challenges" at Amanda Hill, Ambarawa, Central Java. This retreat was held as part of the...

read more