Looking up at the high cliff where the explosion had flung all the debris onto the village was an awesome
experience for the group. It was hard for them to imagine that a section of the high cliff flew across the
river and covered a part of the village.
The group continued on with their hike to the relocated village. There Al spoke to the Tifal people about
the service they had planned and the feast they had prepared. The final decision was to eat first and
then have the service. Earlier the villagers had placed sweet potatoes and English white potatoes among
hot rocks and covered them with banana leaves.
The landslide area in 1993. (Photo Courtesy of William and Faith Steinkraus)
One family invited them into their house to eat. The homes were still built on stilts and the walls were
woven bamboo. They had to walk up steps – logs nailed to two slanted side pieces – to get into the
house. They all sat on the floor eating their food and waiting for the service.
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