Cyclone Haruna
The day we flew back to Madagascar, cyclone Haruna hit the southwest coast. Prior to hitting land it was a category 3 storm. This was the first time since we have lived in Tulear that a cyclone has directly hit our town. Usually the cyclones are coming from the east coast and weaken before they arrive on the west coast.
Tulear does not do well in rain. The town shuts down as roads flood. So as you can imagine, the impact from this storm was massive. A river north of town overflowed, which left the northern part of the town flooded and thousands of people homeless.
Our missionaries held out through the storm, and though there was some flooding and roof damage, our team was unharmed. Within hours they came together to help repair their own homes, as well as the nationals in which we are ministering to.
Shortly after the storm we were able to begin preparing disaster relief kits to provide for the people suffering in our partner churches. These kits included some items that would help meet the immediate needs of the people...rice, beans, candles, etc. The churches worked together to do hut-to-hut visits, in order to pray for and encourage those affected. Many people were able to hear the Gospel message.
Now our eyes are turning to the Mahafaly villages (about 4 hours south of Tulear). While some villages came through the storm with little damage, others have been greatly impacted - with over half the village struggling with broken and destroyed homes. It was surreal for Grant to walk into the village and see the tree uprooted in which he normally sets his tent under.
Please pray for the Malagasy people - for those who have lost lives and homes because of this cyclone. Pray also for our team, that we would have wisdom in how to meet immediate needs of these hurting people.
Tulear does not do well in rain. The town shuts down as roads flood. So as you can imagine, the impact from this storm was massive. A river north of town overflowed, which left the northern part of the town flooded and thousands of people homeless.
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| Wind damage in Besatra |
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| Besatra |
Our missionaries held out through the storm, and though there was some flooding and roof damage, our team was unharmed. Within hours they came together to help repair their own homes, as well as the nationals in which we are ministering to.
Shortly after the storm we were able to begin preparing disaster relief kits to provide for the people suffering in our partner churches. These kits included some items that would help meet the immediate needs of the people...rice, beans, candles, etc. The churches worked together to do hut-to-hut visits, in order to pray for and encourage those affected. Many people were able to hear the Gospel message.
Now our eyes are turning to the Mahafaly villages (about 4 hours south of Tulear). While some villages came through the storm with little damage, others have been greatly impacted - with over half the village struggling with broken and destroyed homes. It was surreal for Grant to walk into the village and see the tree uprooted in which he normally sets his tent under.
Please pray for the Malagasy people - for those who have lost lives and homes because of this cyclone. Pray also for our team, that we would have wisdom in how to meet immediate needs of these hurting people.
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