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 (w/Photos)

26 Oct 2009

WFR Relief and Healing Hands International are working together to provide emergency cash to churches of Christ and their communities in American Samoa and other islands that are nearby. - DY

    "Don, from my perspective, it looks like we have made a respectable response to the disaster in Am Samoa.  We sent $5,000 in cash – the load of sleeping bags, tents, flashlights, duffel bags should be one their way soon." Chris Gingles, HHI

Disaster News from American Samoa

SPECIAL OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

First of all, thank you to everyone who has been praying for us, calling us, e-mailing us, etc.  We are safe and well.  Our house is on an elevated location in the village of Iliili.  We have water and electricity.  Most stores are open in our area and supplies seem to be adequate.

On Wednesday morning, I went to the homes of most our church members.  They are all fine.  Their houses are secure and they are safe.  One family did point out to me the mountain behind them.  They were showing me where large chunks of earth were missing from the side of the mountain.  Fortunately, no one was in the path of these earthslides (mudslides).  I was also able to call some of the families.  The cell phone service has been hit-and-miss since the earthquake.

DETAILS

As we were finishing breakfast Tuesday morning, the house began to shake.  We quickly moved to the backyard.  The quake lasted for what seemed like a long time (some have calculated 3 minutes).  We quickly turned on the radio and TV to try to learn exactly what had happened.  There was quite a bit of confusion, at first, from the news reports.  About 20 minutes later, the tsunami hit the Samoan islands.  Pago Pago Harbor, the village of Leone and most areas on the south side of the island received anywhere from a 5 to 15 foot wave of water.  Some water came inland fairly far (500 feet or so [1 report of 1 mile inland]).  Please understand, we’re not referring to a wave like you enjoy at the beach.  The 5 to 15 feet of water was the rise in the entire ocean.  Reports I’ve seen indicate a 7.9 to 8.3 strength earthquake with the epicenter 4 miles deep about 120 miles south-southwest of us.  That is considered close.

Everyone on the island has been affected by this event.  Everyone either knows the victims, the families of the victims, people who lost businesses, etc.  No life is left untouched by this event.

YOU CAN HELP

1.  Pray

2. The Tafuna Church of Christ will gladly use your donations toward the efforts that will be taking place for some time to come.  Please send donations to:

Tafuna Church of Christ, Box 326, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799.

3. MOST NEEDED:  CLOTHING – BEDDING – POTS AND PANS – PORTABLE GAS STOVES

4. If you would like to personally come and offer your assistance, we can house you and transport you around so you can serve in some way.

We will get involved primarily in the Leone area.  This is where we believe we can serve best.

David Willis

Phone (684) 699-8763

Dwillis_samoa@yahoo.com

Web site: http://tafunachurchofchrist.webs.com/

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November 1, 2009

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI

On the morning of September 28, an 8.2 magnitude earthquake hit about 120 miles southwest of American Samoa.  Twenty minutes later, a four-wave tsunami hit the Samoan islands causing millions of dollars in damage and over 100 deaths.  The Tafuna Church of Christ immediately began reaching out to those in need, especially in the villages of Leone, Amanave and Poloa.

On October 15, fourteen members of the Otomoetai Church of Christ in Tauranga, New Zealand arrived in American Samoa to help in the clean-up efforts.  On Friday, October 16, we worked in Leone.  On Saturday, we worked in the village of Amanave.  On Monday, we worked in the village of Poloa.  The group returned to New Zealand on Tuesday.

Each day, members of the Tafuna Church of Christ worked right alongside the group from New Zealand.  Friendships were made that will last a lifetime.  The common bond of Christ was strengthened between brothers and sisters in Christ who did not know each other before the tsunami, but are now forever sealed.

In addition to the clean-up efforts, clothing, food, toiletries and Samoan language New Testaments were delivered to a number of families in each of these villages.  (A big “thank you” goes out to Rocco Pierce for the New Testaments).

Money was also left by the New Zealand group to be sent to Samoa to help members of the church in their relief efforts over there. 

Tsunami Damage in the Village of Leone

The earthquake and tsunami that hit the Samoan islands has kept our congregation busy with relief efforts.  We have delivered food, water, clothing, shelter, gas stoves, pots and pans, and Bibles to families in Leone, Amanave and Poloa.  In addition to many of you, fourteen members of the Otomoetai Church of Christ in Tauranga, New Zealand have helped in the clean-up effort.  We have moved many pounds of cinder blocks, wood, metal and general rubbish.  The families we have helped have expressed their thanks to the Tafuna Church of Christ for our efforts.  We will continue to help our neighbors as much as we can.  As we do so, let’s continue to give God the glory for all His blessings.