It rained this morning. I woke up and stayed in bed listening to it’s gentle pounding for over an hour. There’s something about rain that encourages freedom in me to slow down and just be. As I lay there thinking how wonderful this rain is going to be for the gardens here, I remember this rain means more to the women I know here. It means they are on their way to their gardens to dig because now the soil is soft. When cooking food and rolling beads may have been on their agenda this morning, digging now takes precedence. It means hope for their crops, which have suffered from the heat and dry climate from the last few months.
As I continue to be introspective listening to the rain and recognizing that rain is perhaps the only thing that can create this response in me this early in the morning, I become very thankful for my circumstances. I’m in Africa I’m thinking; Who gets to do this? For 5 more months I am here in this beautiful country with these beautiful women and children. My husband is here and I am living an opportunity that many only dream of. My thoughts circulate between thankfulness for being here, thankfulness for the rain, and the stark contrast of my morning next to the morning my Ugandan friends. Then I realize that this perspective, the one I get and am reminded of by being here, is one of the most important things I will take away from being here. And as I roll myself out of bed, I think to myself I hope it rains tomorrow!
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Just catching up on your blog Rachel. I kept checking for it on my phone but for some reason it doesn't come up. Anyway, not sure if you remember, but rain is probably one of my most favorite gifts from God. It reminds me of His grace and lovingly - He rains on the righteous and the unrighteous as it says in Matthew. Or it could be said that it rains on those who realize they need and those that don't. Love you, praying for you and Randy and always missing your sweet face. - j. biddy
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