A Gifted Tie

Hello,

This week all the AP (Assistants to the President) missionaries are staying up here in Tamatave with us. We have been going on splits with them a lot. We have four APs in our mission and they are all up here. Two of them are going to stay until the end of the transfer when they actually die (go home). They are in my companion's same group.

Last Sunday was the District Meeting for all of the Branches here in Tamatave. President gave a really great talk to strengthen the Branches. His Translator did not fully understand his thought and humor so none of the Malagasies would laugh when he made a joke. It is pretty hard to transfer English thoughts into Malagasy. I cant even think of the English translation for some things I say in Malagasy, because sometimes there is not one. Malagasy thought is completely different. It has actually made my English sound a little weird sometimes because I think of things to say the way a Malagasy would say them.

On Saturday we all played soccer behind the church with some kids in our Branch. We basically played soccer in a cyclone. It rained so hard on us during the game. It was really fun though so no problem.  We played more soccer this morning and I am so sore.  It's all good.

Have a good week.
Sincerely,
Elder Allen

This is Dmb Stephane.  He is a member of the branch in Tamatave and he works with the missionaries and is in charge of the branch and district missionaries too.  Sam gave him that tie.

I Feel Privileged to Serve Them

Hello,

I guess all of you heard about the Cyclone. Everything is good here.  Nothing really bad happened to the people in our area except for a couple of fences fell over and houses are tilted and a little flooding.  During the Cyclone, the missionaries were not allowed to leave the house, so we stayed inside for about 2 days. We watched it from our front window. It got pretty crazy at some points. It was pretty cool to watch. The only thing that sucked was there was no power or water for those 2 days. We had to eat all the food that was in the fridge and drink from our emergency stash of water bottles. It also got pretty hot in the house which made us sweat a lot. The second day I needed a shower so I stripped down, covered my whole body in soap and then stood outside in the cyclone to wash it off.

After a while we got pretty bored as missionaries that are not allowed to do much. So we made up our Characters for if there was a Zombie Apocalypse. We drew everyone, gave them weapons, and stats. We also made up six different versions of Zombies, drew them and gave them stats as well. Then we made up stories using all of our work.

Funny Story: One morning I woke up covered in bug bites. My entire body was destroyed by Bed Bugs. It was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I was so itchy. My comp. and I got our wood bed frames that were infested with them and threw them around the back of the house. We chipped off all the crappy paint on the walls that we  found had Bed Bugs in them as well. We then soaked our mattresses in Bug Poison, sprayed all the walls, and our bedding with it. I slept on the floor for 2 days because I was too paranoid to use anything that had the slightest chance of having bed bugs.

One tender mercy that I experienced from last week was during the cyclone one of my favorite families called us to see if we were okay. And, they live in a grass hut. The people here are some of the nicest people I have ever met. I feel privileged to go out and do all I can to serve them.

Love,
Elder Allen

Beach Day P-Day

Cyclone Update

Dear Parents,

The tropical storm is subsiding at the moment, and should be clear of Madagascar by Friday evening. We are still expecting light rain and winds throughout the rest of the week.

The missionaries are all safe and dry and are being careful.

We are grateful that not too much damage was caused by the storm and that all the missionaries are safe.

If there are any queries let us know.

Sister Foote & The Office Elders
Madagascar Antananarivo (Temporary) Mission Secretary

Cyclone Update

Dear Parents,

As of early this morning, the cyclone ENAWO hit Madagascar with strong winds and heavy rain. The missionaries are all okay and have plenty of food and water supplies. There has been no flooding yet.

The storm’s intensity is forecasted to gradually decrease by tomorrow evening, although there will still be a lot of rain. The missionaries are being very cautious and will be safe.

We will continue to send updates throughout the rest of the week and if you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to email.

Sister Foote & The Office Elders
Madagascar Antananarivo (Temporary) Mission Secretary

Tropical Cyclone in Madagascar

Click HERE to read article. 

Madagascar to face life-threatening impacts from powerful Tropical Cyclone Enawo through midweek

By Kristina Pydynowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

March 08, 2017, 3:27:02 AM EST

Enawo will continue to pose a severe risk to lives and property as it lashes Madagascar through midweek.

Enawo made landfall between Farahalana and Antalaha late on Tuesday morning local time as an intense tropical cyclone with winds equal to that of a Category 4 hurricane in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific oceans.

"Northern Madagascar will experience damaging winds and heavy rainfall into Wednesday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.

Even though significant weakening is expected as the cyclone moves farther inland, the provinces of Antsiranana and Toamasina will remain at risk for life-threatening flooding rain and destructive wind gusts in excess of 160 km/h (100 mph) into Wednesday.

Heavy rain and wild winds swept across the island nation of Madagascar on Tuesday, March 7, as Tropical Cyclone Enawo made landfall. 

Residents of Sambava, Antalaha, Andapa and Ambalabe could face days to even weeks without power or other utilities as streets become littered with downed trees and branches. Flooding could wash out roadways across the region, potentially isolating some communities.

RELATED: 
AccuWeather tropical cyclone center 
Madagascar weather center 
Psychology of warnings: Why do people ignore important weather alerts?

Poorly constructed signs and buildings may be destroyed. Major damage to well-built homes and businesses is not out of the question. Anyone venturing outside during the height of the cyclone would face bodily harm or death due to flying debris.

A life-threatening storm surge will occur near and to the south of where Enawo made landfall. Water funneling into Helodrano Antongila Bay could especially put lives and property in danger from Mananara to Maroantsetra.

Enawo will turn southward across Madagascar from Wednesday through Friday morning, bringing heavy rainfall and locally damaging winds to Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa and eastern Toliara provinces, while conditions begin to improve across northern Madagascar.

Total rainfall of 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) threatens to cause severe flooding and mudslides from northeastern Madagascar to the Ankaratra Mountains and points southward. The provinces of Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, eastern Antananarivo and southeastern Toliara will have the greatest flooding risk as Enawo tracks southward. Hardest-hit locations could receive 400 mm (16 inches) of rain.

The rugged terrain of Madagascar will cause Enawo to significantly weaken as it moves southward limiting the threat for widespread damaging winds in southern Madagascar.

Enawo will depart the southern coast of Madagascar on Friday bringing an end to any flooding rainfall across the country.

Cyclone Hits Madagascar

Dear Parents of Madagascar Missionaries,

We are aware that the tropical cyclone ENAWO is currently heading towards Madagascar.

All the missionaries have been accounted for and they are all aware that the cyclone is coming. They have been told to prepare 3 days (72 hrs) worth of food and water. Each apartment has 72 hour kits containing food, water and extra clothing in case of an emergency. We have encouraged them to be alert and to avoid any areas which are dangerous and may potentially flood. We are confident that our missionaries are safe and wise and will make the safe decision if the need arises. As the storm approaches we are in contact with the missionaries and are watching its movement.

We will continue to monitor the storm and stay in contact with the missionaries and parents and will send further updates as we receive them. At the moment the other islands (Mauritius and Reunion) have not been affected by the storm. We encourage you not to worry, we trust our missionaries and know that they will be careful and will make wise decisions. We know that the Lord will protect us throughout this time and that he will comfort you if you have any concerns.


If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to email us.

Sister Foote & The Office Elders
Madagascar Antananarivo (Temporary) Mission Secretary