Let It Rain!

After months and months of no rain and temperatures that reached over 120 degrees Fahrenheit outside and 100 degrees inside the house, there is nothing like the joy that comes with a storm.  Our rainy season came about 6 weeks late this year, which makes the falling of rain and the blowing of cool, stormy winds all the more appreciated and celebrated.  I took these photos while we waited for a storm to come in a few weeks ago...

There's a storm on the way!
.

This is the most delightful feeling.  After the heat of a Nigerien day, the cooling breeze and the darkening clouds feel heavenly.
    

Sitting, waiting for the rain, and enjoying a little Micaela sunshine!
.

And here comes the rain!

This storm is a rare treat, because there wasn't thunder at first.  This meant the kids could run in the rain, and boy, did they run!
.

When the wind picked up, we called them up on the porch to watch.  Look at the puddles forming in our yard!
.

A penny for your thoughts, sweet girl...
.

We all just watch, soaking in the beauty of wet and of water!

 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving;
sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

Who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

Psalm 147:7-8

A Rainy Sunday's Drive

This past Sunday morning, we traveled to the village of Rigiyar Bagware to worship with believers there.  Halfway through the service, a typical rainy-season-downpour started and continued for at least an hour.  There's nothing like sitting and hearing the rain (especially when it's been 10 months since you heard it!) pelting down on an African tin roof.  It's like a balm to the soul. 

 Taking up the offering.  What does your offering plate look like?  This is how we do it here.  Usually it's a small bowl. 

Right after the offering was taken up and blessed, the rains began.

After the service ended, it was still raining, so we sat chatting with people inside the church until there was a slight break in the rain.  These are some of my favorite moments.  I wonder what people think sometimes as I bumble along in their language, trying to communicate.  I think times like these when it's just me and my family, and them and theirs, that we are really able to connect.  As they see me running around after Micaela, pulling out a snack to share with everyone, and pulling my kids out of the rainy doorway for the millionth time, then changing my mind and deciding to let them enjoy putting their hands and heads out under the torrents of water...they'll dry soon enough!  ...as I see them running after their little ones, calming down a tantrum, soothing a bumped head...  We chat about mommy stuff, cooking food, challenges we're facing, and suddenly, it doesn't feel like we're from two different continents, two different languages, two different worlds.  We're just lovers of Jesus, moms, women sitting together, talking as the rain pounds down around us. 

Micaela and a little friend chat...  and exchange "toys" (pieces of paper).

Grace looks out through the church door and watches the rain fall as it fills the pastor's yard with water.  She can't resist sticking her hands, feet, and head out to feel the cool, wet rain drops.

When the rain let up just a bit, Jonathan said, "If we're ever going to get home, we're going to have to go now!"  "Okay," said I!  Thus, we found ourselves wishing our friends farewell, then running pell-mell for the Land Cruiser, knowing if we waited too long and the rains kept up, the roads (i.e. dirt paths) might be impassible.  

Our Land Cruiser awaited us across the small rivers of water...

Jonathan was soaked as 

he hopped in the Land Cruiser after his run through the water!

Waving goodbye to our friends!

 Off we go into a water adventure-land.

We saw a lot of this on the way home!

Here's a bit of our drive...  The kids' commentaries are priceless! 

We made it home safely!  We were relieved to see the paved main road after 10-20 minutes of driving through gushing water on the sand paths.  What adventure!

Please be praying that the rains continue to fall in Niger!  We need them to come regularly in order for the crops to grow well and in order to avoid nation-wide famine this year.  Thank you for praying!