Rain, Rain go away!

     For us under normal circumstances, we would welcome two days of clouds, nice breezes, rain, and lower temperatures.  75 degrees suddenly feels kind of cold.  And while we do welcome the break from the intense Haiti heat and the weather forcing us to stay home and not do our normal work, it's not that easy for many here.
     When we stand on our front balcony and  see how much rain water has gathered in the street below, it's nothing in comparison to most areas in Haiti.  We happen to sit in a very safe area...safe in many regards.  This is one of them, flooding doesn't really happen here.
     Everyone knows this place can't take another hit.  This country can't take the floods and mudslides that come with a steady two-day rain.  It can't take the damage caused by the raging rivers overflowing.  Families  can't stay in their shacks that are threatened to be carried away.  For those areas affected in this way, we pray for relief.
     But, what people sometimes don't know is how steady rains affect the lives of many in a more widespread way.  When it rains hard or for longer period of time here, things shut down.  Businesses and schools close.  Markets are forced to close.  All the family run street stands close.  Tap-taps don't run; they don't need to, no one is going anywhere.  What this all means is that no one is earning money in a society where much of the population lives day to day.  They count on income day to day to feed their families.

     Please pray for this country.  For the sun to return.  For the rain to let up.  For the busyness of Haitian life and market places to be up and running for the sake of the families just trying to make it day in and day out.