Well, the rainy season is supposedly coming to a close but not without one
last hoorah! Two nights ago we were awakened in Kemantian by probably the
loudest thunder I've ever heard and the heaviest rain I've ever seen. If I
hadn't gone outside in it (one of those annoying calls of nature) I would
have assumed it was the legendary cats and dogs coming down on our grass
roof. The next morning we awoke to water everywhere and no power.
Our little bit of electricity here comes from a hydro plant behind our
clinic (the name makes it sound big but it's really no bigger than a
telephone booth). When the hydro is on, it powers a light in our house, a
light in the guys' hut, and various electrical outlets in the Georges house
and the clinic. Now, as you might imagine during the rainy season is when
we have the most electricity since our power is entirely hydro. However,
as in the case of a couple nights ago, when there is a huge huge storm,
every drop of water that comes down onto the mountain flows down...and it
gathers into what is normally a small stream that leads to a dammed up pool
where the hydro plant sucks it water from. Since the storm was so big all
the water flowing into the normally safe and contained stream changed into a
raging river of death. This raging river of death then rushes down into the
hydro pool and brings a mountain full of debri with it. It covered the
pipes and clogged up the hydro so we were without any pressure for the
electricity.
At this point I rejoice that I"m a girl. Because it is the guys' job to
hike up to the hydro pool, find the pipe and dig it out. (remember the
raging river of death?) So all day on Friday Jeremy and several willing
palawanos dug out the hydro pool until they decided they had to stop for the
day. Since the next day was Sabbath we did nothing until today. Being
without power is not the most tragic thing in the world but when you're
already taking alot longer to do things here than in the states (because of
lack of most modern conveniences) one more difficulty is definitely noticed.
Sabbath we had another huge rainfall that lasted all afternoon and a couple
people couldn't get all the way home after church. There is a small creak
between church and our house that was also changed into a raging river of
death and we had to get a couple sturdy guys to help us across. I had gone
to a branch sabbath school with a friend of mine and returned in the pouring
rain, soaked from head to toe (it doesn't really matter in rain like that
how big your banana leaf is) to find that there were patients that needed
taking care of in the clinic. After getting help across the raging river of
death I went to the clinic to help Mrs. George and Becky get through the
patients. Even though it's the tropics, soaking wet for 2,3 hours makes for
a chilly experience.
Praise God we made it through the day and though the rivers around us are
still pretty full, they are mostly back to their normal size and we have
power in just enough time for me to use the internet. I would ask though,
that you keep in your prayers a couple patients that need remembering.
Abil, and Ugil. I would that I had time to go into details but they need
medical recovery.
Supposedly in January we will be entering the dry season, but until that
time I praise God that mud is washable.
God is good. All the time. Wish I could tell you all more. But I'm alive
and I'm being watched my the angels. I pray you are as well.
Kiana
"BE strong and of a good courage; Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9
