Waiting to Hear from our Girl

We have yet to hear from Jessica, but we have total faith that she is alright.  Soon after the eye of the typhoon passed the island, President Lopez was able to post a Facebook message reporting that all missionaries are accounted for.  We are not sure where Jessica was during this ordeal; if she was called to stay at the mission home in Bacolod or was asked to stay in her apartment located in Silay City, which is located in the northern part of the island where she is serving.

According to news reports, Super Typhoon Haiyan is being considered the most powerful tropical storm ever recorded on Earth.  It is reported that the storm width was over 300-miles wide punching sustained winds as great as 195 mph with gusts up to 235 mph.  It is estimated that the center of the typhoon's eye was as close as 20-miles from Jessica's island and approximately 35-miles from the area that she was serving.  The following three satellite images and map illustrate just how close this typhoon came to Jessica.

We are sure it was a long sleepless night for Jessica and with the new day, she is starting to see, for the first time, the extent of the damages sustained to the area.  We know there will be many missionary opportunities of serving and teaching at this time, and for this we are grateful.  We thank everyone sincerely for the thoughts and many prayers offered in behalf of Jessica. We are truly blessed and sustained because of your kindness and love.