LDS missionary serves during island cyclone

It was one week ago tonight that Cyclone Pam began to hit the island nation of Vanuatu. The United Nations has revised the official number of people killed, decreasing it from 24 to 11. As of Thursday, Mar. 19, 2015, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said all missionaries in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission are accounted for, safe and well.

Eyewitness News anchor Todd Kunz found one Ammon, Idaho family that is watching this news very carefully.

“I was scared for him. Yeah, I was worried. I know what the people live in there so I know they don’t have a lot of protection,” said Marissa Brooks.

Marisa and Tate Brooks’ son, Hayden, is serving with the LDS Church in the Vanuatu Port Vila Mission. They were watching the news and weather, 6,500 miles away, long before Cyclone Pam hit.

“What was it like during that period of time from when it hit, to not hearing anything?” asked Kunz.

“It was nerve racking. Yeah, it was pretty nerve racking just wondering. The mind wanders and continually goes, ‘Is he okay? Is he in a hospital?'” said Tate Brooks.

The Brooks’ have received word their son is okay.

Vanuatu consists of 82 small islands over about 4,700 square miles. An estimated 267,000 people live there. Electricity, Internet, food and water, and many modern conveniences are limited. The BBC reported that many of the islanders are having to drink saltwater. Nearby Australia is just one of the countries sending aid.

“It was a relief, but we still haven’t heard from him. So, yes I feel good. I know he’s safe, but I still have that. You know, I’m a mom. So I still have that little edge of worrying about my boy,” said Marisa.

It was their faith and a little more that got them through.

“Prayers. Knowing that he’s a hard worker. He’s a strong kid. Listened to what he was told to do to prepare for the storm before, knowing that he did it and come out of it okay,” said Tate.

Elder Brooks is set to come home sometime in August 2015. Tate thinks much of his son’s remaining mission will be humanitarian, re-building, re-planting gardens, and finding water sources.

The Brooks’ also said they know one other missionary from Terreton, Idaho who is also serving there.