Let The Rains Begin

Ruth Anne: Today, a break in the weather, finally!! Brace yourselves, everyone, for sermon illustrations using heat and thirst as central metaphors! It really has been intense, both emotionally and physically the entire we've been here so far.

But today saw a welcome cloud cover build into black and thunderous storm of joy that poured out its gift ny late afternoon. When it started it was just rain. Megan and I were in the guest house and heard the whistle that usually means supper. So we put on our ponchos and went over

No supper but a few of the girls were still painting the wooden crosses we had brought as part of the craft package. Megan joined the ones playing Blokus.

As the storm grew Nut came from Yupa's kitchen, obviously sent to encourages us to get back to our rooms. But before we could make our way through the translationsn the wind took overn sending us all scurrying into the relative shelter of the kitchen area.

What happened during the next 20 minutes was a strange weave of adventure and intimacy. As Bee and Sai-y clung to me and little Sai to Megan the storm raged in exaggerated torrents of red mud all around us. The other girls either clung to each other or were having too much fun peeking up and over the walln and then running to come tell us what was going on.

There was some cause for concern:owever. These were winds strong enough to drive the rain sideways under the dining shelter straight at the openings in the bamboo walls that were the only things separating us from the thrashing outside . At one pointn a loud metal ripping sound made us all jump, as part of the roof was pried up by the force of the storm.

Both Megan and I love a good thunderstorm back home, so we were having a great time, able to laugh and reassure and cuddle the girls through to the dying down of the wind and the gentling of the rain.

And now it is a mere 29.5 C in our room (all windows open and fans still on full) and everyone feels a bit more human again.

That was one thing about today. The other is about the spunk of a little girl who dared to take me in an arm wrestle. She didn't win, but man is she strong!!

You have to have in your mind a picture of the thin and frightened child the Team met on our first night here, and then compared that to the small but mighty 14 year old who gave me a good run for my money on the wrestling table.

I've said this before, but the song "Give Thanks" has an important connection for me when I consider the truth of the realities lived out in Thailand. "And now let the weak say I am strong.....because of waht the Lord has done for us."

Miki's sponsors are a couple from our church that we all call Nana and Grandad. Guys, just know that this is one strong young lady, all because of the goodness of your hearts. To all Sponsors, thank you. In so many ways, your love is making enormous differnces in the lives of thse kids.

Megan and I are both feeling very glad for the cooler night to settle into now. Tomorrow is a big day. Waterfall - nam dtok - in the morning, and ourbshopping trip in the afternoon!!!

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network