The rains came down and the floods came up...

Ok, first, I must begin with that line that so many bloggers find themselves using sooner or later...I'm sorry for my long absence! I had set a goal of posting at least weekly, but somehow I fell behind and have been so busy I didn't even realize it until just recently! There's been so much going on around here, I should have more than enough to write about. However, tonight I just want to share a single prayer request.

Guatemala has experienced an excessively wet rainy season this year. We started the season with Tropical Storm Agatha, which brought a great deal of damage and flooding throughout the country. It was estimated to be the worst storm Guatemala had experienced in years. People struggled to get back on their feet, with entire houses washed away and the main roads blocked by landslides. Fixing and rebuilding has been difficult with the regular rainy season rains continuing to fall. Worse still, several other tropical storms have hit Guatemala this season leaving the land absolutely saturated. Each rainy afternoon brings with it the risk of flooding or a new landslide. And when it rains the full day as it did both yesterday and today, you can take the "risk" out of that and instead be certain more damage to roads, bridges, and buildings is occurring.

I remain grateful for the roof over my head that doesn't leak (I can handle the mold for now!), the car that keeps me dry as I travel to school, and the blankets that keep me mostly warm as I sleep. However, I know there are MANY less fortunate. The sound of rain that used to be so soothing, now brings heartbreak as I consider the lives being so negatively affected by the excess rains.

With this in mind, I plead with you to pray for the people of Guatemala. The heavy rains we're experiencing now (I believe the after-effect of the tropical storm that hit us last weekend) are expected to continue for 2 more days. Please pray that the rains will lessen and that God will provide for the poor and needy here who are hurting in the midst of all the rain. Thank you for your care and concern, not only for me as I serve the Lord here in Guatemala, but for His precious people that have grown so dear to me.