The Weather is Bad - And That's Good!

As I type this, I am sitting in my room listening to the sound of rain on the roof. It is not a gentle sound, but more like loud drumming. You see, in Uganda, when it rains, it pours. And that has happened for many days in a row here. It’s not all day rainstorms, but usually a few hours each day.

So here I am in Africa, where one thinks usually of hot sunny weather. You might think the rainy weather is a problem, or a disappointment. But in fact, it is a very good thing. Certainly it would be nice to avoid mud puddles deep and wide enough to swim in. And I can’t say I enjoy getting completely soaked and muddy when walking from place to place. The rain also can wreak havoc with an outdoor Ordination Mass! (More on that soon)

Nevertheless, the rain is good. Right now, there is an extreme food shortage, and lack of rain very often contributes in making the food situation go from bad to much, much worse. Here, irrigation is nearly unheard of, since public water systems are almost absent. Water is carried from bore holes, where it is pumped from deep in the ground. Or from streams and small bodies of water. There is often only enough for necessities such as drinking, cooking, and washing. Rainwater collection works wonders in these situations and is one common way of improving water availability. And rain means that the crops are watered and the ground is moist! So I hope that these afternoon “showers” continue, for the sake of the people here and their needs. I just hope it chooses it’s arrival when I am under cover!

Yesterday was perhaps the worst rainstorm I have yet seen here. It began in the middle of the Ordination Mass for the Deacons who have nearly completed their studies at the seminary. As any celebration in Uganda, this one was a major event. It was made more special for us because one of our own, a St. Kizito student, was ordained. Mathew, who has lost both of his parents, was happy to have us present for his big day, and we felt blessed that we were able to see the success of a very nice young man.

The Cathedral here is not big enough for Ordinations, since they are public events attended by a large part of the community, including many of the students in boarding schools. So tents are erected, and tarps are draped over temporary structures to protect people from the heat (or so we thought). The Altar is actually a permanent structure similar to a gazebo, and is raised so all can see well. But the best part of the celebration is that everyone is so filled with joy and energy, the singing is beautiful, and people cheer and clap at the blessing they feel they are receiving in 3 newly ordained deacons. The Mass was very personal and lively.

At some time near the end, the rains came.

It began slowly, but grew and grew until we could no longer hear what was being said on the Altar. I was sitting under the tarps, and along with the many other people there I watched as they began to gather water, and then sag and leak. People moved their chairs to avoid the water dripping, but it seemed the leaks were following! It rained this way for over an hour before anyone could go anywhere!



At first, I thought it a bit sad that such an important day for Mathew and the others was being disturbed by the rain. But as I sat and pondered (not much else I could do because the speeches they began giving were all in Acholi) I decided that this was really much more fitting. Water is one of the sustaining substances in our world. It brings life, cleanliness, relief, and sometimes soothing. And here in Uganda, it is cause for great celebration. So what better way to begin a life of service to God than with water pouring down.

And thankfully, the rain ended and the sun came out in time for the dancing, music, and lunch that is part of the day. It was wonderful to see some of the schools of St. Kizito students present and performing for the event. It was really a very good day.

So let it rain.