As the receding waters moved out to sea, Sister Akiano grabbed hold of a one by twelve board, and from seven in the morning until five that evening she hung precariously on to the plank. She continued to offer up fervent prayer and shortly a door floated toward her in answer to her supplication. The door was flimsy and capsized easily so she had a difficult time getting on it. She offered up another earnest plea that she would be protected through the night, and immediately a foot cushion floated within arms reach of her. She fastened it to the door and then managed to struggle on to the improvised raft. Upon examining herself, she found that her entire body was bruised extensively except for the portions of her body which were covered by her temple garments.