Flood Update - November 8th, 2011

I just have to say that God is so amazing and kinda funny & ironic. Janna and I kept hearing that our area where our home is (in Hoganka – Dindang area) wouldn’t be at risk of flooding. The government was working hard trying to protect Bangkok. Also we live on the 4^th floor of our home. Most people that were in the areas at risk of flooding were moving their belongings to the 2^nd floor so it was a blessing that we live on the 4^th floor of our building. If Rangsit flooded, then maybe we would have something to worry about. And the wall in Rangsit WAS holding so we weren’t worried. Funny thing is, as soon as we left, we found out apparently it may flood in our area too and that we would be safer in the South (which is where we were headed). Amazing how God works isn’t it? Always protecting us J

Outside the church - flood coming

Front of our church - flooded

On Wednesday, October 26^th, the flood came to Mueng Ake/Rangsit area. It came to our church and it came to our friends houses. Since the flood has come to the Rangsit area in Pathum Thani, there is a possibility that it will reach Bangkok. The government declared a holiday in Bangkok for the first week of November until November 6^th. The TCCC office also closed until yesterday, Nov. 7^th. Our friends and family who lived in Mueng Ake are all safe. They moved to the guesthouse for 2 days and then some of them even headed to their hometowns. P’Kung went to the South, P’Por went to the North and Kong stayed in this area at the guesthouse. Other staff dispersed to various locations such as E San, Chiangmai, Chumpon etc. This has made it harder to figure out how to train our leaders with them being in three places. However, they all needed to come back to help with flood relief work so we are thankful to see them again. Soon we will talk about how we can still work on DRIME and help serve with the flood situation.

P'Por & P'Bum's car under water

The TCCC has teams that have headed to the church in boats to help people in the Mueng Ake area, and to check on the church and people’s homes. They have moved tables, chairs and motorbikes up to the second level in the church. The most recent update on the water is that it is now a little over 2 meters high. P’Bum and P’Por’s cars are also under flood water. Today we have been told that the plan is to have 3 different teams for flood relief. One team will be taking food and supplies to the people of Mueng Ake. The second team will be somehow getting the rotten water out of the church (and cleaning up I think) And the third team will be staying here at the office/guesthouse and cooking food to take to the other locations.

The most recent information that I have heard is that:

-          24 provinces are currently flooded.

-          64 out of 77 provinces in Thailand have been affected.

-          529 people have died (in all of Thailand)

-          Approx 2.9 million people have been affected by the flooding in Thailand including our friends and family.

The other day I was telling our friend Hack when I was leaving the guesthouse that I was going home and he responded to me, “I don’t have a home”. I was like well here (the guesthouse) is kind of your home. He said, “My home is in Mueng Ake” Aww. My heart breaks for all of them! I love that everyone is together and serving, worshipping, and giving thanks together despite all that is happening in their lives and their country.

With the flood situation, it’s basically been a waiting game. Noone knows for sure when it will come. Lots of people make guesses but they usually aren’t correct. We will have to wait and see what happens. The water is around 2 km away from our area but it has been that same distance away for a couple days now. The water travels very slowly, but it is coming. The speed the water travels depends on the area and if there is buildings etc or if the level of the land is higher or lower. In the Hoganka/Dindaeng area it is higher than the main road and surrounding areas. So we are hoping and praying that the water will go around our area because it is at a little bit higher level. Maybe we will be like an island. Haha! That way we can still be the flood relief centre and cook from the office and send people in boats from the office to help and serve the community of Mueng Ake. As of now our area is still dry. Praise the Lord! 

Hoganka area getting prepared for the flood - Top left our home with sandbags, top right & bottom left - stores with not much supplies on the shelves, bottom right - raising up parked cars on sandbags.

Please continue to pray for Thailand!!!