Being in Cambodia during the rainy season means potential downpour everyday. Today, however, was sunny, hot, and dry. No sign of rain. We sweated the entire drive to class, mentioning how when it rains the temperature is actually quite pleasant.
Class started as usual, still sweating, still hot. When suddenly the room is deafening loud with the sound of rain pelting the tin roof. I exchanged looks with my team, questioning where on earth this rain came from. None of us had seen it get cloudy or had seen any signs of storm on the horizon. It came out of nowhere.
The rain poured down heavily, LOUDLY, for nearly 40 minutes without letting up. Finally, it started to calm down a bit. I looked up when I realized I could hear the students talking again and Kelsey wasn't shouting to teach over the sound of rain. That's when I noticed a stream of sunlight coming through a hole in the overhang just outside the classroom door.
"Sunshine? Rain?….Oh snap, that means there's a rainbow!"
I ran outside (nearly falling as our ramshackle wooden walkway had shifted in the lake that floods the church's entrance), phone in hand eagerly hoping to see a massive rainbow stretching across the sky above Phnom Penh.
I looked up.
Nothing.
Clouds, rain, a sliver of the sun showing through the clouds.
"Where is the rainbow?"
I ran back (with caution this time), up the stairs, hoping the view from the top floor balcony might be more promising.
As I came up the last flight of stairs, I nearly ran into Kent coming out of the bathroom up there.
"Where are you going?"
"It's raining and the sun is shining. There's gotta be a rainbow."
I ran around to the front of the church, chasing the rainbow. But to no avail. I went to the farthest uncovered corner I could find. I thought I could almost see one from there, but upon second inspection I realized it wasn't there.
From where I was standing I couldn't see anything. The angle was wrong, I was too close to the edge of the storm, the buildings were blocking the direction of the sun. Though I wasn't in the right place, I knew somewhere there was a rainbow. Somewhere, someone in this same storm, was seeing the proof of God's promises and provision.
Frequently, we expect to see God working in situations and often we are disappointed when we don't see Him the way we anticipate. I knew sun plus rain meant a rainbow. Yet, I couldn't see it. We know that God moves in mighty ways after the storms in our lives, but if we don't see the visible proof of it we often get disappointed. I don't remember often enough that sometimes I'm too close to the storm to see the rainbow. Just because I can't see it, doesn't mean that someone else isn't seeing it at the very moment they need it the most and praising The LORD for the visible reminder of His love and provision for His children.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
Quick financial update: I am well over fully funded! Thank you for all those who have given to help me reach the $15,500 mark! If you are set up to do automatic transfers each month, please contact AIM to stop those.
If you are still interested in supporting me financial beyond the $15,500 I am in need of additional finances to cover the little stuff our provided budget doesn't take care of. That can be the little things like medicine or deodorant, to bigger things like needing to replace my computer cord a few months ago after a power surge fried my old one. If you are interested in helping me there, please contact me directly at [email protected]
Blessings and much love!
