October 2, 2016 - Megi the Typhoon

This week we got destroyed by a nasty typhoon named Megi. Taiwan has been hit by 3 typhoons in 2 weeks. Megi hit us last Tuesday, September 27. The first 2 typhoons didn't have much to them for those of us on the west side of the island but this 3rd one was a doozy. We attempted to go out into it and lasted about an hour before it just felt too dangerous to continue. There was no one else outside... Then we decided to go to the roof of our apartment and enjoy getting pelted by water and wind. It was really not the greatest choice, but I really enjoyed the storm. We got soaking wet. In this picture, if you look closely, you can see I am being cheesy because I am soaking wet from being out in the rain that accompanied Megi.

​TaiBao was flooded really bad so when the Typhoon ended there were still no people willing to go outside, but we went out and explored and didn't really see anyone.

This is a park in TaiBao. Most of the trees lost half their branches.

My Companion, Elder Fuller, riding his bike in the flooded street. 

TaiBao is a city in the area I am serving. My area covers a large part of the county of JaiYi. It is very rural and there are only about 20 members in the branch that come to church... so it is really different, but not bad. 

The week was not exactly full of lessons because Taiwanese people take typhoons very seriously, so for a couple days before and after no one wants to do anything. The government closed down most food places for a couple days so we scavenged for food. We had to eat 7-11 food and at some back alley places that were not shut down by the government. But we survived the typhoon and the scary food.

We are enjoying the Taiwanese fall, blistering hot and humid in the day and cool in the nights. The trees are even dying. Last year I was in a city so there was no sign of a season change but here there is a little bit. 

Taiwan Sunset, after the typhoon

We did service for some handicapped people this week. They wanted us to teach them English but we mostly just played games with them because English is really hard and they would have been frustrated. 

I had a surprise visitor this week. One of the members from XingYing, (my 4th area) found out that I was in TaiBao and came to visit me since it's only 30 minutes. I attached a picture of me with him. He is 40 years old but looks younger than 30...

Other than the typhoon, and a visit from the past, there is not too much to report.

Love you all! Elder Erwin