Picture: Photo of a collapsed building we took a few years back just after a cyclone passed through Central Mozambique.
A tropical cyclone, Funso, is storming over the part of the country where the Mwinika people live. Our partner, Phil writes:
I has been raining for days… literally. Strong gusty wind coming from the northwest for days on end with constant light rain. Incredible.
Lots of houses fell or have at least one side fallen. The new annex they built for the school here just totally collapsed. Our outhouse collapsed and am worried about the far wall of my office as it is soaked. Lord knows. Lots of trees down. The worst was last night.
I sent someone today to check on your house and they came back and said it was all fine. The rain was coming from the side where you have all the trees so I am sure that blocked a lot of gusts. Ameriku has been sick for a few days with malaria. The sun hasn’t come out in 3 days (therefore no solar power). If it wasn’t for the generator that your Oom Willie bought us we would be sunk! Be sure and tell him thanks for us again. It has especially been useful because all the batteries in the office have died so that is not cool. We will have to get some new ones when I get back from furlough.
If anybody shows up for teaching tomorrow (01-23) I will be surprised.
Another missionary friend, working in the people group next to ours writes:
Tropical cyclone Funso is still battering us and we’re struggling, but not as bad as the nationals. Wind gusts over 200 KPH. Flooding rains, power and internet down since Friday. Our rental (house) flooded but is still standing which we cannot say for many other houses. We and some friends are cooking 20 kg of beans to deliver through our neighbourhood to those who already lost everything. Please pray!
It sounds like the worst storm in years. Please pray for the Mwinika who’s houses have been damaged or totally destroyed and also for our partners who has lost some buildings and struggle to continue with the translation work because of loss of electricity (The closest place to get gas for the generator is 4 hours by bicycle away). The storm is also upsetting the teaching. Pray that the Lord will use this to draw people to Him!!