The Storm Continues

Last night I spent a lot of time trying to learn more about the storm. But the more I learned, the more afraid I became. The whole country is without power. That isn’t really a big deal for us. We are pretty used to it. However, now that means no water, no way to charge our phones, and no way to receive news if we need to evacuate. We are just here waiting for nature to take its course.

I asked Rosanna how often this happens. Every year? She kind of laughed and said, no, this is the first time. They get storms, but the rivers have never flash flooded. Then she went on to explain how we are in a valley with a mountain in front of us and then a river on both the left and right side. If they got enough rain, it is possible that those two rivers could meet in the middle, our orphanage. I hadn’t been afraid up until then. I assumed that this happened all the time and they knew what to do. But they were just as helpless as I was.

Right before we finally went to bed, the rain stopped. I could hear the obnoxiously loud frogs and crickets again. It had been 5 days and I welcomed them. I crossed my fingers that the storm was over and went to bed. The quiet lasted for almost two hours. Then the clouds somehow found more water in them and started up again. I woke up in the middle of the night shaking in fear. How high was the water outside? There is nowhere for the water to go anymore. The ground is definitely not soaking it up anymore.

I turned up my iPod and tried to drown out the rain as well as my thoughts. I couldn’t let myself think about all of the people without homes. How many people were swept away but are still alive? How many people are getting sick from drinking the river water? How many houses had re-flooded by now after all their hard work yesterday? How many children were huddled together on “high” objects watching the water rise? Are all of my students still alive? Nobody knows the answers to these questions but they ate at me all night. I couldn’t sleep. I just kept praying. Lord, stop the rain. You promised to never give the world another flood. This is their world, and it’s definitely flooding. Keep your promises. As I listened to the words on my iPod, I found them oddly fitting.

Praise You in this Storm – Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Finally around five in the morning I found peace and drifted off to sleep; But not without listening to the song a dozen times. Now I am awake once again listening to the sound of the rain. I used to enjoy the sound. It reminded me of home and fall and leaves and sweaters and friends. That pretty image is no more. Now I see the pain in the eyes of the homeless. I imagine the sound of the rushing rivers and I hug myself in fear. Waiting, hoping, and praying. It’s amazing how Sunday night I feel asleep and my largest worry was how my classes would play out the next day. However I woke up wondering if my classes would ever have as many students again.

Please keep me in your prayers. We are safe so far and I keep hoping it is almost over. Power has come back on and I think that means more water but I’m not sure exactly where that clean water would be coming from. Everyone inside the orphanage has been spared but there is a lot of pain just outside the gate. Within two blocks, the scene changes drastically. This is my neighborhood. These are my friends. Thank you for your prayers.