Rain, rain go away...

No matter where you go in the world you can always talk about the weather. It's a nice safe subject, I wonder how many awkward silences have been avoided by a quick discussion on the chances of rain or sun? :)

Well, I've come to South Africa for the Spring/Summer season, but despite pleasant weather on the whole, we have had a couple of days where it has absolutely tipped it down, yesterday being one. Back home this would be, well, pretty much expected really, British summer and all that, but at worst it would be an inconvenience and you'd have to remember your brolly and raincoat to go out. Here when it rains like this for the people in townships it means stay inside. No kids clubs or soccer clubs run by us, because if the kids get wet, they stay wet and run the risk of getting ill. Think about it - no radiators to dry your clothes or warm you up, no hot shower (or running water generally!) to get warm or clean off mud. So unless it's essential to go out, you don't.

Remember the outrage in England earlier this year when the country pretty much shut down for a few days because it was snowing and there wasn't enough grit for the roads? I know it's not the same thing but imagine not being able to leave the house every time it downpours, and without any heating to keep you comfortable, or TV etc to keep you or the kids occupied. I don't want to sound like a cliche but seriously we do take so much for granted, and then love to moan when the slightest thing goes wrong! Here I find myself surrounded by people who have so little and appreciate every blessing they have, and I feel blessed to know them.

One of my favourite Christian songs is by man and wife band Alex and Jenny Legg called Shadow of the Cross. It speaks of the different perspectives taken by those living with and without faith, and tends to pop into my head on rainy days because of one line in particular...

"When it rains, you see another stormy day. When it rains, I see the power that rolled the stone away"

All I can say is I want to see more of that power here on Earth raining down and washing over peoples lives, fixing all the breaks and problems which seem so big and so set in stone at times. Talk about the big prayers hey? But if you don't ask you don't get! :)