A letter from Annette George in Thailand
September/october 2011
Dear Friends,
After the Thai New Year (April 13) holidays, it seemed that the rains started and would not quit. It was unusual to have our Easter celebrations affected by rain: April is usually bone-dry here. Superstitious Thai would say the wild New Year festivities were their rain dance—and this year it worked. As early as June, I found myself checking the level of the river. I was in the United States hearing news of the Katrina floods when the “40-year flood” hit Chiang Mai, and I had come back to a house that had had two feet of water on the inside—swishing around with my stuff that had not been moved in time. This year I could find no one who would agree with me that there would be floods again this year. Folks said the reservoirs weren’t full and that experts had not predicted flooding... I moved some stuff upstairs and kept watching the river. By the end of September, I thought we had passed the worst of the season, so moved things back downstairs—to the entryway of my house and the studio/office, where I teach, write, and keep my books, instruments, and music. Then a typhoon hit the Philippines; Thailand got the end of its rains. The events that followed:
Wednesday morning, Sept. 28: After a night of steady, hard rain, I hear the nearby school making announcements about early closing. There’s a buzz of excitement in the air, and reports that the river was nearly as high as the bridge. A car with a loudspeaker goes by announcing that businesses should begin moving materials out of low-lying areas starting at 1:00 pm. (Why start then? I wonder.)
Wednesday afternoon: My part-time housekeeper arrives with reports that the reservoir is cracking and will be releasing water around 6 pm (why after dark? I wonder). She helps me move furniture. My concern is whether I will have to turn off my electricity for several days (the whole house? I ask). Her concern is that the water will ruin the washing machine. I insist on collecting buckets of water in case the power goes off, and she insists on mopping the floors before she leaves for what will probably be several days.
Wednesday night: Several friends from church call, checking to see if the river had reached my house yet. We debate whether to stay up and watch for it. I decide to say my prayers and try to sleep—some rain is still pattering down...
Thursday am: At 6 there’s a lake around my house, but thankfully no water inside. As I walk the dog, I see car drivers and intrepid motorcyclists plowing through water on two roads surrounding my campus. Vivaldi and I wade knee-deep to get back to the house, only to find that the muddy water has started to seep in through the back door. Perhaps a small amount, and I pray that it won’t reach three inches, at which point it will start entering my office. It rises steadily all morning. A student comes by expecting a make-up lesson, but seeing the water, changes her mind. A school janitress comes by to give me some bananas. Seeing the water, she quickly calls work staff to move more of my furniture.
Thursday pm: The water is still rising. I wade out with the dog around dusk and see music students moving furniture from the practice rooms. They come over in the dark to help me put an electric keyboard (very heavy) and file cabinets up higher on more bricks. They use their mobile phones as flashlights in the dark flooded rooms.
Friday am: Phone calls from friends and a pastor to make sure that I am OK. The house is disorganized, growing mildew, but I am fine. I have electricity upstairs, water, food, warmth and shelter, but I do wonder how long it will take for the water to drain away.
Now, Sunday night: I am looking forward to a week of exams, grading and cleaning house in preparation for overnight guests arriving on Saturday. The house is dry, but I haven’t moved the furniture back down yet, as more storms are expected. I know the disruption for me was minimal compared to the flooding experienced by so many people in both the United States and Thailand this year. We must pray for God’s protection in perilous times and the Lord’s blessing on all those who so kindly help us out when we are helpless.
I pray that you, my readers, will continue in your prayers for me.
Thankfully,
Annette George
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 133
The 2012 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 183
