|
|
|||
 |
 |
||
| |||
News Release: Samoan Disaster ReliefEarlier this week the island of Samoa was hit by a large earthquake and a resulting tsunami that caused loss of life, significant property damage and much suffering for the people of the island. A report from our District Apostle to the Chief Apostle follows as well as a firsthand account from one of our members. The NAC-USA district will make a contribution to the local authorities from our World Relief Fund. Let us pray for those affected by this tragedy and particularly remember those who lost their lives as we approach the Service for Departed. Donations can be made in two different ways:
Dear Chief Apostle, I want to report to you the outcome of the tsunamis in Samoa earlier this week. According to our most recent information, none of our members are among the casualties; however, some did sustain some minor property damage. Many business properties on both main islands were heavily damaged so many will be financially impacted. The Apostle Hoffmann is in touch with the local District Elder Eves and we will provide some relief aid from our World Relief Fund, as necessary. Following is a report from the district elder's daughter:
Hello Everybody, In tears I write this email to all of you thinking of us during these tragic moments of our lives here in the pacific... My families are doing ok and everyone is still in shock of what happened. Luckily we live up the hill and that's why the tsunami haven't reached that far up... but still some of our extended family were killed and still haven't found some of them... We are having a family reunion (dad's side) started last week and some of my aunts and cousins were planning to go to spend the night (Tuesday night) to one of the beaches that were brushed away with nothing left and my dad told them to stay and make it this Saturday... You could imagine if they have left???? We are sooooooo thankful to God for his protection... It was early morning Tuesday, we were still in bed and around 710am, the earthquake began, we thought it was just a small ordinary one, but no! It shook harder and harder, we ran outside and it got even worse...all we could hear were glass breaking and screaming... it lasted for 3 minutes... there came the aftershock it was really bad...and by that time we didn't know that the tsunami came straight right after the quake, we could see the from up the hill that all the ships and yacht were standing on nothing but coral and pure sand. The sea water was sucked backwards into a huge wave and in no minutes all you can see is a humongous black cloud wave rushing its way to the island, ready or not it just came and the second wave was a bit higher and there came the third one, it was a big, huge, gigantic wave and that caught most of the people that were trying to make their way to higher grounds but it was too late... First time I have ever experience this kind of disaster...In the late afternoon we went to check out for our families that lived near the sea, we couldn't identify the place, dead bodies was everywhere, there were babies, pregnant women, old men and women. There were also tourists who spent their vacations at the beach houses were gone... One white couple was looking for their 2yr old son, and found only the body with no head... I can go on and on with stories but that's just to brief you all with what happened... But we are still thankful that we spare our lives...Thank you all for prayers and love... Please convey my love to everyone over there and hope to see you soon... With much love and prayers....S. Eves
Thank you for your covering prayers, With loving greetings, Len |
|||
This is an iMIS Web site |
|||
