“Extreme Humility” – J73 |
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We Need Help!
Our Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Bless! The Lord!
The Great Wind and Rain Storm
A strong rain and great windstorm swept through the Skete’s valley on Wednesday evening, July 19th. It devastated a path from McGregor, Iowa and Prairie du Chien about thirty miles further west of us on either side of the Mississippi River, causing extensive damage there. Closer to home here at the Skete, it brought trees down including one across our driveway entrance pulling down electric power lines with it, and caused much other damage both in and out of our buildings.
The Roof That Sailed
Part of a roof over the icon production area lifted off, then flew over two buildings to land on a propane tank. Our production shop was skewed when one corner was lowered by the storm. In the thirty years that the Skete has been in this peaceful remote rural valley, nothing like this has ever happened before. It was truly a night to remember. We definitely prayed a lot. A lot!
Roof that Sailed
Hole in Roof from Distance
Hole Left by Flying Roof
Blocked Driveway
Road to Back
Boxed In
As the road to the back Skete valley washed out, we were boxed in between the downed power lines in the driveway, and blocked access to the solar powered Common Monastic Building in the back. The electricity was down for 42 hours before the power company could restring the wires and provide lights and refrigeration. We burned a lot of candles and ate a lot of peanut butter (to not open the refrigerators and freezers to preserve whatever food that we could). The road and ford had to be re-graveled to get to the back valley.
A Lost Guest House
Five trees landed on our guest trailer (no one was in it, thanks be to God), totalling a place for guests to stay. It will have to be demolished in place, the debris removed, and the six other trees that didn’t fall down this time will be cut down so it can’t happen that way again. It has taken us weeks to just pick up what was spread around, and some of it is still left until today.
We are grateful that we were kept safe and sound, that the damage can be repaired or replaced, and that we had time to live in the silence when the power is down, for more prayer, more reflection, and more thanksgiving. God is near when our need is great. Glory be to God.
Guest House Damage
Guest House Room
Help Our Urgent Needs Today
We need your help. We are still trying to recover to function somewhat normally. This is all quite expensive in both time and money to do so. Our insurance didn’t pay for most of it. Please pray for us, and give, give, give from the heart.
Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The monastics at St. Isaac of Syria Skete
and at the Convent of St. Silouan,
and the Faithful at St. Nicholas Church
Click for Monastery Donation Page
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Your donations are tax deductible.