Cyclone Pam 4/13 - Tanna followup trip

James​, Titus and I returned from our Tanna trip mid-day today (Monday). It was great to followup with everyone there, and a joy to introduce James to our brethren in Iatukun, Green Point, Loun and Lorakau Villages. Now one month post-cyclone, we were able to get a better idea of their needs going forward. Thanks to the GENEROUS donations of so many (www.gofundme.com/oz6e9c), we are going to be able to meet all of the needs that have come to our attention. We can certainly attest to the fact that both the land and the people of Vanuatu are very resilient, and with a little help things will be back to normal sooner rather than later. Thanks so much for your continued encouragement and prayers! I will let the photos and captions do the rest of the talking... ~E

Australian troops at White Grass Airport, Tanna

The Australian troops are in overseeing the distribution of relief aid from their government

James meeting Margaret and her kids on the truck to Iatukun

We were pleased to find the local stores in Lenakel well-stocked, and were able to provide local families with groceries and other necessities as we visited

Digging out a broken power pole

The picturesque drive down the west coast of Tanna Island

Titus enjoying the ride in the back of the truck

Though the leaves are beginning to come back, there is still little shade. Titus and Edien found some behind the water tank where they could drive their trucks.

We pitched our tents on the dirt foundation where Tom and Margaret's house once stood

We went with Tom to see his coffee plantation. Most of the bushes kept their fruit, but almost all of them were blown or knocked over during the storm. It will be a HUGE task to get the area cleared and the bushes replanted before they wither. There won't be much of a coffee harvest this year, but they are trying to save the plants so that they will be able to harvest next year. Coffee is a primary cash-crop in Tanna, especially for families who need to pay school fees. The government is considering waiving school fees for all students from Tafea Province, but if they don't we will be ready to help these families with the expense, thanks to so many generous donations to our relief effort.

Antoine and Meriam's two-story house lost its roof and veranda, and the ground floor filled with almost a foot of water, but thankfully it is still standing. They retrieved the roofing sheets and nailed them back down, but we will be getting them new roofing by the end of the month. *The orange construction vest you see hanging is Antoine's, as he is a part of the government food distribution team.

Local style bird trap

I wish I could tell you a long emotionally-charged story about how this piglet's mom got killed in the cyclone and the dog took it in as its own (not true), but actually they've been close friends for a long time 

Bamboo is perhaps the most valuable building material throughout rural Vanuatu. Most of the groves were badly damaged or destroyed, which really hinders the rebuilding process. Thankfully some of the longer pieces that were broken can still be used, but it will be a year or two before they're back to 100%.

James and Tom visting about the cyclone and relief efforts

The remains of the church house in Iatukun. Thankfully the posts (and, amazingly, the door!) were not compromised. We will be getting them some roof sheets at the end of the month. They used the damaged sheets that flew off for temporary shelters and kitchens immediately following the cyclone.

Our family became very close to Jack and Anna during their year in Vila. They are happy and well back in Green Point (S. Tanna), it was a pleasure to get to see them briefly. Johnny (far right) is their nephew and he traveled to Tanna with us, and is going to be living with Jack and Anna. 

Road back north from Green Point to Iatukun (not for the faint of heart!).

New build in Loun Village

Miswel poses in front of his newly finished house, made from local materials salvaged from his previous house and kitchen. 

The chiefs in Loun are encouraging the villagers to build at least one custom style "cyclone-proof" house like this one on their property, in the event of another cyclone.

Our tents in the foreground, with a leafy(!) nambanga tree in the background.

I was shocked to the Loun church house standing again, albeit about 25% smaller than it was, due to damaged materials. We packed the house for sure on Sunday morning. 

Another new build in Loun

The ladies in Loun (throughout Vanuatu, really) never cease to amaze me with their hospitality. I always come to teach and give, but end up learning and receiving far more.

A Cat 2 cyclone near New Caledonia over the weekend meant wind and rain in Vanuatu, so John had to re-tie several sections of coconut leaves that make up the wall of their kitchen.

Two months ago you wouldn't have been able to even see the mountain on the other side of the divide, but with all the downed trees (and because of great acoustics) you can see and carry on a conversation with people on the other side.

Fresh bamboo (definitely in short supply post-cyclone) woven to make a new house in Loun.

Three families (4 adults and 4 kids) are sleeping in this one house, made of salvaged materials, as they rebuild in Loun.

Inside the church building on Sunday morning before services

Alice and Pasam leading the kids in songs prior to the Sunday assembly.

The Loun church giving a customary welcome to James

Leaders in Loun, Miswel and Harry, discussing the brethren's needs, which they then shared with us to help us better know how we can be of assistance.

Lunch in Loun

Joslyn getting her hair done, Vanuatu-style.

Titus and the kids had hours of fun on this recently-fallen tree.

Loun Village

What a great sight to see a muddy patch around the water supply! They were able to get it back online a couple of days before we arrived, and it is SUCH a blessing to have running water (usually one outdoor tap for every 3-4 houses).

We took an evening to go and see the mighty Yasur Volcano, billed as the world's most accessible active volcano. The weather didn't cooperate, but it was still an amazing adventure (especially when the truck got stuck on the way back home, and we had to push/pull it out for about 20 minutes ... oh, my Vanuatu!).

Perhaps they should patent this new style of clothesline? It has built-in clothes pins! #AlternateUsesForBarbedWire

Coconut leaves make a great drying rack for pots and pans.

Saying goodbye in Loun Village Monday morning 

James to Malekula and Santo

James​, Titus and I returned a couple of days ago from our quick trip to the islands of Malekula and Espiritu Santo. When he first inquired about the need to come over, I jumped at the chance for several reasons, primary among them being the utilization of the cyclone relief funds and the desire to have him "survey" the people and places with whom / where we spend the bulk of our time working. This long-weekend trip served to give him a first-hand look at Lembinwen Village (Southwest Bay, Malekula Island), Brenwe and Tulwei Villages (NW Malekula Island), and the Christians who meet in Shark Bay (East Espiritu Santo Island, including some who live in Luganville Town and at Matevulu College).

We were encouraged to see leaves on the trees and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in each of these locations, as for the most part they were unscathed by Cyclone Pam. Both islands are located on the northwest side of the archipelago, and so they did not take a direct hit. While there, I suggested to each of the congregations that they consider sending some produce to Port Vila in the coming weeks and months, that can then be shared with their brethren on Efate Island. It would seem that the food rations being distributed are going to be sufficient, but the locals are already sorely missing their favorite fruits and vegetables.

I will let the pictures/captions do the talking for the rest of our trip, and our few days back in Vila. We are scheduled to do some more buying and shipping of food and supplies today (Thurs), and then fly down to Tanna early Friday morning. We've received a couple of phone calls from Tanna this week, and it seems things are progressing along, albeit slowly, there. The relief food rations are getting out to most, and it sounds like the stores in "town" are well stocked. We will be able to provide a better assessment when we return early next week.

Oh, and before I forget, what a blessing it has been to have Michael​ and Nancy Gray​ along for the ride! They've picked up more slack than we knew we had!! We've now made it almost three weeks without electricity at the house, but everyone has been a trooper! ~E

Riding from the Southwest Bay airport to Lembinwen Village in style

Helping Aiel in Lembinwen with his copra harvest (the dried meat of the coconut)

After two nights in Lembinwen, we made the voyage to the NW side of the island. Titus claimed his favorite seat, from which he saw sea snakes, flying fish and dolphins.

Laundry day in Tulwei Village, NW Malekula

Visiting with Jean Claude, Wesley and Leisande after lunch in Tulwei

Introduced to and welcomed by the church in Tulwei

Preaching (and translating) on love in action on Sunday am in Tulwei

The Tulwei and Brenwe crew after services Sunday (*photo by Titus)

Prepping the laplap sorsor lunch for the honored guest

Ready to dig in (he's done great with the local foods!)

Fun with the kids in Tulwei

Passing out sweets to the kids (and the adults who were brave enough to stick their hand out too)

Witnessing the customary pre-departure ritual in Tulwei ... the pumping of the leaky tire

After a short flight north to Santo, James felt right at home in the garden with Toara

Visiting with Joel in Shark Bay

Robina and others welcomed us to their home, island style

Visiting with Joel

Touring the area, especially the spectacular blue hole in Shark Bay

Saying goodbye in Shark Bay

Dinner and a visit with Paul and Miriam at their home on the Matevulu College campus

Local fruits haven't been on the menu in Efate due to the cyclone, but we caught up on this trip 

Accepting a gift from Hannah

We hit the ground running in Vila, going to meet Silas (left) that afternoon. He and his mother, along with all the other residents of Mataso Island just north of Efate, were recently evacuated to Vila because of the severe cyclone damage to their island. I've recently formed a relationship with his older brother, Donald (right), and we are now working together to try and get Silas a wheelchair since he is going to be in town.

Purchasing and then unloading rice, tinned meat and crackers that will be sent to Ambae with Paul Vuhu next week

Enjoying dinner out at one of the few restaurants in Vila that has reopened post-cyclone

Taking measurements and photos of Epau Village's water supply system source waters, hoping to help them with a more reliable setup in the future