Rain, Rain, Go Away...Come Back Some Other Day

You may not have noticed, but Uganda has been in the international headlines the past several days. We have had a trememdeous amount of rain over the past several weeks that has caused mudslides in the lower east region of the country in the district of Bududa. Bududa is located in the foothills of Mount Elgon which is situated on the border between Uganda and Kenya. Several days ago mudslides wiped out two villages. The death toll is nearing 100 people and there are over 250 still missing. Please pray for the recovery, provision and comfort for those who have lost loved ones and in many cases all that they owned. We, like many of you, are experiencing unusual weather for this time of the year. December through March is supposed to be our dry season. We have had an unseasonably cool dry season and it has been accompanied by days of rain showers. We have been told by the meterologists that the unusual weather patterns in Europe have caused the weather pattern from northern Africa to slide down into our region, thus causing the rains. They are predicting that we will have much higher than normal rain levels and to expect this weather pattern to continue through June. In some areas of Uganda the rains are much needed and long over due, but in other areas such as Bududa it can be devastating. Here is a link http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/712052 to a story that may give you some insight not only to the horrific tragedy but also to issues related culturally that may be contributing to and possibly making events like these more frequent and even more devastating.

Well the rains have also stopped for the most part the excavation of the MAF aircraft hanger. George estimates that they have only been able to work about one day in the past three weeks. There is at least a good week or more of excavation work needed before foundations can begin. The construction site is now fondly referred to as Lake George. They have also discovered that the water table has risen drastically and is only about twelve inches below grade, so extra measure are going to have to be implemented to allow for the digging and installation of the building foundations. Please keep George and the workers in your prayers.

Blessings,
George and Luan