Kristen & Scott

Rain Rain Go Away...

Posted by Kristen & Scott (Hyderabad, India) on 28 August 2010 in Plant & Nature and Portfolio.

India has three distinct seasons: winter - similar to Washington’s summer, summer - with scorching hot, indescribable temperatures, and monsoon or rainy season. The last few months have been the rainy season, which was a welcome relief from the insane heat of summer.

The first rain typically comes during the first or second week of June immediately and dramatically lowering the temperature. It is like a breath of fresh air that is welcomed by all. The rain immediately reminded us of home and it is something that I have always associated with good things. As the rain has continued to fall here in India, I have definitely moved towards more of a mixed feeling about it.

During the rainy season, the rain seems to come in spurts and usually falls at night. We will go a few days without rain and then have three days where it doesn’t stop. Throughout streaks of rain like this, the number of kids at school is less, the roads are an absolute disaster (even more so than usual), and the water doesn’t have any where to go so things flood. Even with days of sunshine and nights of rain, the problems are still there and causes a problem of its own and have led to many becoming sick during this time of year. It gets warm during the day and then cold (for Indian standards) and wet at night. Add this to homes and huts that can’t keep out all of the rain water and you have the perfect storm for colds and fevers and numerous other things.

Storms and the sound of rain at night used to be something that helped me fall asleep. There have been several nights here in India, where it keeps me up. It was one of the first rains in India when it woke me up. The storm was SO loud. There was thunder and lightning and the rain was just pounding down. As I laid there, trying to fall back to sleep, I was reminded just how lucky we were. How in the world could I complain or be frustrated about being woken up by the sound of rain? It was a smack in the face. Here I am, laying in a warm, dry bed, completely protected by the elements, concerned about losing sleep because it is too loud? Oh my gosh... thankfully God quickly brought to my attention all of the wonderful people that we spend every day with. Think of their situation. The rain may be loud, but they are kept up by the ankle deep water in their huts, the wet beds, their sick children, and so many other things that I cannot even begin to comprehend. And they all endure. They come to work like it was just any other day.

So now when it rains and pours, the sweet reminder of home is still there, but I am immediately drawn into prayer. Prayer for the rains to lighten up, prayer that the children won’t get sick, prayer that the hut roofs won’t have leaks and the floors won’t flood, and prayer that God will be with them to get them through the night.