68 trees came down

May 11th

In Missouri we have to face Mariah! Mariah is the name of the WIND. Big WIND. Well presently, here in Missouri in our area, we are in a devastation zone from what they say were heavy wind storms.  The storms are over now. But the clean up will be going on for a long time here. 

We had 68 trees come down, from the present count so far. Lots to cut up and help out with two students! Hoping other students will still come in and pitch in to help as well as training in meditation. An oak tree crushed the front of one building, but, it can be repaired ok. Our new equipment barn roof was hit by two trees but it only needs sheets of wood sections and new roofing put on. The bathroom roof was hit but not damaged much. Tin roof got bent a little bit.  A tree missed my trailer by 5 inches, if that! Another building was missed by only 2 inches from taking the entire side off it. Instead, it only just nicked on the roof edge! I had a crew of men come in and cut out any threatening trees and the ones that blocked our driveway and roads in the forest.

We are without electricity, water, and any additional food from what we have. All is questionable for an undisclosed period of time. The generators go 24 hours a day to keep the freezer food fresh. People have brought in water to us for drinking. 

The internet works by satellite for a few hours per day, but only on generator power. Driving around for gas today,  there are thousands of trees down on powerlines! Hundreds of snapped power poles, some of which are in deep forest land, that must be replaced.  They say it could be weeks before we are with electric from the main grid again. We do have access to Gas in one town and can fuel up to go out to get food from other areas about 1 hour away.  So we continue on.

We are kind of lucky since we have got creek water running right now next to our old house and we also have buckets to carry in water for the bathrooms! Wow! Real plumbing! Still working!  That, at least is a blessing! The rain still wants to come. Not as heavy as it did, but it wants to continue still slowly each night.  In the areas around us, many farms suffer and some will be completely ruined this year. If it isn't wet rot, it is dry rot these last few years. But they keep trying. Tough people. Won't give in! They have had so much water they still have not planted this year and it is nearly mid-may! Our fruit trees have been delivered, but, we have to clear trees away from the areas in our field in order to plant them.  Help is needed but we continue whether it comes in or not. Everyone works together.

Two people are interested in using our new disability cabin. It was not touched by this storm. Manpower is what is needed most here at this time. Woman power too. haha. And more smiles! haha!
 

Much Metta,

Sister Khema