Rain, rain, rain

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I've been (virtually) following a lot of Minnesota friends traveling to the Iringa area this past month, and all the blog posts and Facebook updates agree on one thing:  they haven't seen this much rain in a long, long time.


The rains have washed out bridges, created nearly impassible roads in some areas, affected internet access and caused power outages across the region.


If you head over to the Iringa Hope blog, Tom and Sandy Hendrickson have posted a few short videos of driving on rural roads through a deluge. Scroll down a bit on that page and you'll see a video of a SACCOs meeting where voices are being drowned out by the rainfall on the metal roof.


While we heard from travelers a couple weeks ago that bridges in both Mapogoro and Idodi (villages found within Tungamalenga Parish) had been impassable, this week we learned the damage was greater than earlier reported.


In these villages near Tungamalenga, and in the neighboring parish of Pawaga, many homes have been destroyed by the rain and rising river.  Crop damage is extensive at this time, near the start of the growing season. Pawaga seems to be the hardest hit, and there has been an outbreak of cholera there.


Iringa Diocese leaders have provided timely updates to worried partners here in Minnesota. The Tanzanian government has been swift to send boats and police helicopters to evacuate families. The local churches and Iringa Diocese head office staff have collected and distributed food, clothing and other aid for affected families.


In all of the communications, our partners have asked for our prayers. They have assured us that immediate needs are being met by the local response. 

And so, we pray.  Tuombe. [Let us pray.]

God of compassion,
You created a world for us
To know your love and peace
Yet amidst the beauty of creation
We encounter pain and hurt 
And forces beyond our control.
At times like this our hearts are shaken and ache with sorrow
At the destruction of our lives, homes and livelihoods.
Hear our prayers for our friends affected by the floods
And for all those working
To bring relief and fresh hope.

Amen



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