Part 2: Cyclone Rene Pounds Tongatapu

Palm tree in front of our Liahona house #24

House in village of Popua before Cyclone Rene: After Cyclone Rene:  Most of the banana crops, mangoes, and breadfruit on the island were destroyed.  The bush from our back  yard:  Many homes lost roofs:  Huge trees over 50 years old were uprooted: Ferry is pushed up onto the reef by Category 3 Rene:  Old Tonga is severely damaged:Very sad pig!  Where are the little piggies? Mary Pope ponders the power of the ocean that brought five waves up to 90 feet high through their house, sweeping away gardens and depositing 2-3 feet of sand everywhere.  Caring villagers from Fatumu and our Liahona student ward went right to work to dig them out—Helping Hands to the rescue!   Albert and Mary Pope have reached out and rescued others many, many times on this island.Lolo is certainly a “Mr. Fix It” Albert and Mary’s narrow beach with protuding coral rock BEFORE the great storm: Albert and Mary’s beach is transformed AFTER Cyclone  Rene:   Who will man the boats?  We must each be rescuers for those lost in the storm.  We must each be the life boats.  We are the armies of Helaman!