The night after the flood, it started raining again. I chuckled out loud as our prayers shifted from “Lord, please bring rain” to “Lord, bring rain BUT please keep the river from overflowing its banks!” Haha. As planned, Monday morning the school was cleaned and the students were able to take their exams. Mid-morning we went out to check on our neighbors and survey the damage. One of the homes across the street from the church had water two feet of water in it the night of the flood. Though the family could have been frustrated or discouraged because of their situation, they were in good spirits and assured us that “God is here.” It was so sweet to hear our neighbors trust in God’s sovereignty even during difficult times.
As we continued our survey, we found the iconic Langano container bridge in a compromising position :) The soil beneath the concrete footing on our side of the river had been washed away. The footing had broken and pulled away from its reinforcing causing the container to rest on the bank in an impassible manor. Without much heavy equipment at camp, the task of moving the 8,700 pound container seemed just a little bit daunting.
That evening you could hear the river pouring over the falls just above the container bridge. So Bryan and Yonas, the camp manager, went to check the situation out. They found the river full and the water being partially blocked by the fallen container. Initially they were afraid that the lower part of the compound, teacher & nurse housing and the clinic, would flood because the water level was still rising. But thankfully after about 2 hours the water began to recede. With darkness upon them, Bryan and Yonas returned home for the evening knowing that the next day would be dedicated to moving or at least attempting to move the bridge.
That evening you could hear the river pouring over the falls just above the container bridge. So Bryan and Yonas, the camp manager, went to check the situation out. They found the river full and the water being partially blocked by the fallen container. Initially they were afraid that the lower part of the compound, teacher & nurse housing and the clinic, would flood because the water level was still rising. But thankfully after about 2 hours the water began to recede. With darkness upon them, Bryan and Yonas returned home for the evening knowing that the next day would be dedicated to moving or at least attempting to move the bridge.
