Port Vila, Vanuatu, South Pacific: The following report was received from John Watton, Asia-Pacific Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Coordinator:
When one descends from the skies to land at the Port Vila airport, the first thing one notices is that the once lush island now has the appearance of sickness or death due to the lack of leaves on any of the trees. To then learn that almost all of the inhabitants of Vanuatu escaped injury from this cyclone is tremendous and it is certainly cause for great rejoicing.Sadly, there are a number of confirmed deaths. Today, we ate lunch in a cafe and the lady who served us had received word that her sister-in-law, living on one of the outer islands, had been struck by a flying sheet of corrugated roofing material during the storm, and had died.
SEE OTHER UPDATES FROM VANUATU
Although we rejoice with those who escaped serious injury, we must also somehow mourn with those who mourn….that in our rejoicing we must not forget that even though there were amazingly few medical calamities due to the storm, there are some families now deeply grieving the loss of children, parents, loved ones….even while the rest of the country rejoices.Specific Prayer Requests for the response in Vanuatu.
Additional Updates:
There is great evidence of collaboration around Port Vila in that a huge amount of clean-up work has already been accomplished. Many of the roads that were tangled with wires, crumpled roofing sheets, landslides and fallen limbs & leaves have now been cleared of debris.
Although there are still tangles of boats in the harbour -some driven up on shore, some sitting mostly submerged and forlorn in the lagoon….and although there is still plenty of clean-up work yet to be done…. it is inspiring to see just how much has already been accomplished by people with a will to work!
Our local church members have been involved in helping restore their own communities. Today, the people up at the Snake Hill church plant sent a big sack of vegetables down to the people at the Prima church. These are key times for the church to be the church.
Vanuatu is a beautiful chain of islands; its beauty cannot be masked by the current tangle of leafless trees and fallen branches….its real beauty is in its people.
—- Submitted: John Watton
