As soon as the roads were open, Mormon missionaries and local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints set out on a journey north from Townsville to a small town called Cardwell to bring supplies and hot food to Cyclone Yasi survivors.
The category five cyclone passed across the top of this small town on 2nd February, causing unimaginable damage and destruction.
President Geoff Lui from the Townsville District, and President Gaven Ferguson from the Townsville branch organised a truck and food and drinks for 300, complete with BBQ equipment, gardening tools and large quantities of much appreciated toilet paper.
Elder Blaine Salisbury and Elder Edward Cocker, full time missionaries, accompanied the three Church leaders to help with whatever was needed. Also participating was Ezekiel Orro, who recently was called to serve a full-time mission for the Church in the Sydney mission.
"Over a week had passed since the cyclone ripped through the community," said President Lui, "and I guess we were expecting some sort of normality in the town but as we drove closer we began to realise that it was anything but normal. The devastation of the region was indescribable. Almost every leaf of every tree, bush and shrub was gone. Only palm trees seemed to have survived. Not a single house was left without damage."
According to Elder Cocker, it was like some giant had plucked out a weed and threw it away.
Upon arrival the group stopped at the fire brigade. Whilst they were awaiting orders, they removed a large tree that had crumpled an elderly woman's cherished green house. "She was so grateful and happy to have the tree removed," the elders said.
The men were sent to the local state school in the small town of Kennedy where dozens of workers were stripping the school of all the damaged materials. The Mormon Helping Hands group cooked a BBQ for the workers.
"It was great to give these guys something hot. Without electricity, they had only been getting and sandwiches and fruit and, like any worker, a good BBQ was always welcomed. These guys were working in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nothing but broken trees and destroyed buildings. Full credit to them," President Ferguson said.
The rest of the supplies, including toilet paper, were deposited with the Coast Guard. "It's amazing how such a little thing can be taken for granted and is so valuable when it's not around," said a coast guard representative. "We're still having trouble getting supplies in and the power is not expected to be on again till the end of March. These supplies are greatly appreciated."
President Ferguson reflected on the day: "I think it was a real success for us. We knew we couldn't do the heavy work, but what we did do made a difference for some people. The elderly lady whose tree was removed and her garden cleaned; the workers at Kennedy state School who had a hot BBQ and drinks after days of cold meals; and the emergency service personnel who benefited from a good supply of food, not to mention toilet paper, all had their spirits lifted. That's what our mission was. We were so grateful for the opportunity to have served our neighbours and look forward to more service in the future. The clean up efforts are going to take a very long time."