The main news events for this update took place in early May. An extraordinary storm devastated a wide area around us, the damage being especially concentrated in the vicinity of Plettenburg Bay and Knysna, including Harkerville, within which we are now situated. After a day of substantial rain which saturated the ground and caused widespread flooding, strong gusty winds developed from the south, causing many large trees to fall over, onto roads, power lines, fences, etc, resulting in power failure throughout the region. Several communities were completely isolated for some time due to the rising waters.
The response from various organizations was immediate and impressive. Trees were cleared away by a local timber company and others volunteering their services, including a large tree that fell on our boundary fence. Eskom field staff and other contractors made valiant efforts to restore power as quickly as possible, working under arduous conditions. While we waited, we were grateful for the large generator that we received with the property, which could keep our buildings powered, until it failed after a few days due to a problem with the alternator, an obsolete model. Thereafter, we were reduced to relatively primitive living conditions (being thankful for gas stoves in the kitchens) while we waited for a very helpful local mechanic to come up with a solution.
Unfortunately, just as good progress seemed to be underway on recovering from the first storm, a second storm arrived, this one with winds from the opposite direction, causing more flooding and more trees to fall (including a large tree onto a portion of the wall around our monastic enclosure within the property), and having a significant impact on the city of George, an hour and a half north of us, through which our electricity supply is routed. Power was lost for some time to the towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay and everything in between, including to many areas where power had been restored, a disappointing setback after all the recovery efforts that had been made following the first storm.
As I write this, power from the Eskom grid has still not been restored to a number of areas, including Harkerville. We are grateful for those who came to our assistance and managed to get our generator working again, also sorting out a problem that had meant that the borehole pump would not work from the generator, so that we can now replenish our water storage. Internet access has improved somewhat, although it remains unstable. We are very aware that many people around us face far greater challenges and have to deal with much more difficult conditions than we do.
In comparison with the first weeks of May, the month of April passed by with considerably less drama. We enjoyed the presence of two more guests at different times in our guesthouse, appreciated having various local people attending our weekday prayers and Sunday Eucharists (and staying on for coffee after the latter). We accompanied people in spiritual direction, both online and in person. Br Roger attended online meetings of the Holy Cross School trustees and of the ACSA Religious Life Council executive. The Juniors had their weekly online class and monthly check-ins with Br Ephrem in the USA. Br Josias met with the ACSA Disability Committee.
Br Daniel was away for a few days in April, visiting with some friends who were in the Kleinmond area for a while. Br Mpumelelo was in KZN for a couple of weeks, visiting family and friends. Br Aelred went to Worcester for a week to be with a close elderly family member who is struggling with her health.
Progress was made installing an irrigation system for the garden areas of the property. The security upgrade and window furnishings of the guesthouse were completed.
Really sorry for the devastation….and so soon after the first storm. Thank you for remaining faithful in prayer ifor humanity despite being in the dark and wet yourselves. May you experience grace upon grace as you all recover.