Typhoon Koppu Update #2

This of course, is wonderful news and we are so grateful for the love that Pres. and Sister Clark have for our missionaries.  However, my mother's heart just won't rest until I get a personal email from Joel himself.  And to think that he never liked camping while in scouting.  I'm thinking he's going to come home and actually enjoy a normal American camping trip.  Our prayers have been with the Philippine people, the saints and our missionaries.

Good morning Angeles Mission Parents and Friends:

This message is posted on Facebook because storm conditions make it difficult (lack of electricity at the Mission Home) to send out our normal email communications. Please forward this message to other mission parents if possible.

This morning Typhoon Koppu is pushing its way across the Angeles Mission. The storm came ashore at 1 a.m. local time near the city of Baler. This is the far eastern edge of Angeles Mission. The storm made landfall as a more powerful and intense typhoon than had been predicted.

Thankfully, we have prepared for a strong storm and as of 8:30 a.m. local time, all missionaries are accounted for and safe. Missionaries living along the eastern coast (Baler and Dingalan), were evacuated well ahead of the storm and will spend the next several days in cities safe from the storm surge.

Missionaries in the eastern portion of the mission are experiencing strong winds and moderate rainfall at this time. In the western half of the mission, winds are moderate as is rainfall. Forecasters predict winds to decrease and rainfall to intensify throughout today. The storm will weaken over land and as it turns to the north.

We are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and the situation with each missionary companionship. Our mission emergency preparedness plan is in place and each missionary has a copy of it. Approximately 20 typhoons pass through the Philippines each year so this is not an unexpected event.

We already see the hand of the Lord in caring for our missionaries and moderating some of the possible several conditions that may come to the mission. Your prayers are being heard and very much appreciated.

The Philippines Area Presidency is closely involved with the five missions impacted by Typhoon Koppu. We are grateful for their concern and wise counsel. We love our missionaries. They are obedient, faith-filled and safe.

Love,
President and Sister Clark