Typhoon Kammuri

We had no idea that this 'umbrella welcome' to a group of new missionaries was the start of 2 days of steady rain.

Typhoon Kammuri was not a direct hit to our portion of the Philippines (Luzon) so we did not experience damaging wind.  We did, however, have steady rain for about 48 hours.  When some of our missionaries woke up Thursday morning they discovered water in their apartments.  The local authorities had opened Magat Dam with a massive release of water that swept north covering fields and homes with up to 5 feet of water.  Mission vehicles were deployed to retrieve most of or missionaries living in the northern half of the mission.  It led to exciting times trying to get them transportation away from the flooding and back to Cauayan.  Fortunately, all are well, and at this writing, all but a handful are back in their apartments.

Making a raft out of the wooden bed frame

This was this Sisters first night in the Mission Field.  "I didn't know Missionary Work was this much fun!"

Seriously, we told the Missionaries not to be heroes by going into the floodwater, but I guess it couldn't be helped.  Thanks Elders!

This is not approved Missionary attire, but we will give them a pass in this case.

Some of the Missionaries lost clothing and other items to the floodwater, but we salvaged what we could.  Of course the power was off.  One pair of brave sisters carried their refrigerator upstairs to save it from the flood.  WOW!