Monday’s Storm, Tuesday’s Thoughts
It’s early Tuesday morning as I write this, but my thoughts are still stuck in the early hours of Monday — when the rain started, the ground gave way, and the quiet of our night was interrupted by floodwater, fear, and a deep sense of helplessness. What I posted then was written in real-time, standing with about fifty others inside our cafeteria, staring out at the water rising fast around us.
What follows is the original post — shared while we were still in the thick of it:
Urgent Prayer Request
It’s hard to explain how quickly everything changed.
We were just settling in for the night when the rain started — not a drizzle, but a steady, pounding downpour. It hasn’t let up for over three hours now. One minute everything felt normal, the next, one of our security guards came running — out of breath, soaked — telling us water was rising fast.
We stepped outside and could hardly believe what we saw. Water was rushing down the mountainside, pushing through staff homes, and now creeping over the porches of the children’s home. Half of our campus is nearly waist deep.
There are about 50 of us now — standing in the cafeteria, watching helplessly as the water keeps rising. Kids are quiet. Everyone’s just… watching. Waiting. Hoping it stops.
The large rocks from behind the staff homes have already made their way into the soccer field.
We have a generator, so we can see what’s happening. And that makes us even more aware of those who can’t. Families in town sitting in the dark right now, without light, without power, maybe without warning. We can only imagine what they’re facing.
It’s jarring how quickly life can shift. One moment you’re planning tomorrow, and the next you’re praying you make it through tonight.
Please pray with us — for protection, for peace, and for everyone walking through this storm tonight. We know God sees. We know He’s near. But in moments like this, when the noise outside is louder than the thoughts inside, we’re reminded how much we depend on His presence — not just to rescue, but to reveal. To show us that even here, even now, He is still God. Still good. Still with us.
**
There are 4 Videos Below:
Mikela & Malaya went out first. Then Asher & Levi walked around the campus. The most dramatic video is of Momma Gigi standing in her home staring across the yard at the orphanage as the water heads from her home toward theirs.
Tuesday Update: When Drains Clog and Prayers Keep Flowing
I’ve been trying to post an update all day, but the signal has been hit or miss with all the rain. Everything keeps showing up as “undelivered” or “error.”
Last night’s flooding caught all of us off guard. The last time this happened, we realized our newly built security wall had turned the campus into a giant bowl — water had nowhere to go. Once we opened the gates, it drained quickly.
Since then, we’ve installed drains all over the campus. So when the water started rising again, it didn’t make sense. The gates were open. The drains were in place. But still, the campus was filling like a swimming pool.
Jose and Nene waded out to check what was happening. As the water rushed down the mountain, it brought brush and branches with it — completely clogging the drains. The video (if it posts) shows what Jose pulled from just one of the drains near the clinic. The water pressure made it hard to yank it all out, but once the drains along the main road were cleared, the water began to recede. Within two hours, the flooding had dropped significantly.
🔸🔸🔸
There’s still a lot of cleanup ahead. The staff housing area has visible foundation damage — deep craters where the water carved through and shifted homes. The orphanage cafeteria took on significant water, and their outdoor wash area was completely swept away. One staff member’s outdoor kitchen even washed down to the orphanage porch. Their steps also washed out and several doors rotted and bent.
There are major leaks in the pharmacy, our classroom, and our bedroom. Water pushed through under the door and got into the therapy room
Thankfully, it wasn’t like last time — we weren’t left with four feet of mud and boulders. This time, it was mostly trees, branches, and smaller rocks scattered across the property.
🔸🔸🔸
Right now, everyone on campus is safe. The water is down to about an inch in most places, though it’s still raining and the ground is slick. We haven’t made it downtown yet to check in person, but we’re told everyone is okay — just shaken up. It’s hard to believe how fast it all happened after a month with almost no rain at all.
⸻The signal is weak, the networks are down, and most messages fail before they send — but still, your love gets through. Every prayer, every word, every check-in has carried more weight than you know. Communication may be slow, but gratitude is not. We’re holding onto what matters most — safety, each other, and the quiet, unmistakable ways God keeps showing up… even here, even now.
Prayers still coming