Some hearts are built on a floodplain

Tropical Cyclone Idai entered Zimbabwe this weekend. Mozambique was hit first and the damage is extensive. In Zimbabwe, Chimanimani was hardest hit. 600mm of rain poured down in 24 hours. It has not stopped. The rain is heavy and the wind is ferocious.  

Reports of houses being swept away. More than 30 so far. People are dying. More than 100 so far. People with names and loved ones and dreams. People just trying to make it.

Zimbabwe has been in a drought, we’ve been fighting to keep our garden green. Farmers have been desperate for dry crops to yield. Experts are forecasting hunger due to lack of rain. As the clouds came and the drizzle started this weekend my girls, far from the flooding, put on their raincoats and boots and danced in the much needed rain as it got steadier and stronger. While we received what we needed, others lost everything.

Picture making it's rounds on social media of the flooding.
(Picture not my own, I'd love to give you credit if it's yours!)

Viv enjoying the rain

In this place where unceasing stress and trauma seems to be everywhere lately. Where salaries have been diminished as cost of goods increases at rates we can’t make sense of. Where doctors are crying out for bandages and medications because they can no longer bear the heavy burden of watching their patients die because the supply cupboards are empty.

Jesus fix it.

I do not have eloquent words or intelligent solutions here. What I have is a broken heart and a God who promises to be near to the broken-hearted. A God who listens and honors the lament of those broken hearts. A God who Rescues. Redeems. And Restores.

There is a song that has been precious to me at various times over the past few years. It feels appropriate this weekend. Some of us don’t know what it’s like to have our house washed away when we can barely afford groceries and doctors don’t have bandages, but we all know what it feels like to be brought close to the things that hurt. The things that bring us to our knees.

Floodplain by Sara Groves:

Some hearts are built on a floodplain

Keeping one eye on the sky for rain

You work for the ground that gets washed away

When you live closer

Closer to the life and the ebb and flow

Closer to the edge of I don’t know

Closer to that’s the way it goes

Some hearts are built on a floodplain

And it’s easy to sigh on a high bluff

Look down and ask when you’ve had enough

Will you have the sense to come on up

Or will you stay closer

Closer to the danger and the rolling deep

Closer to the run and the losing streak

And what brings us to our knees

Some hearts live here

Oh the river it rushes to madness

And the water it spreads like sadness

And there’s no high ground

And there’s no high ground

Closer to the danger and the rolling deep

Closer to the run and the losing streak

And what brings us to our knees

Closer to the life and the ebb and flow

Closer to the edge of I don’t know

Closer to Lord please send a boat

Some hearts are built here

 I am not posting links for donations here. I am certain that incredible people and organizations will be organizing relief and aid. Our family will go through our cupboards this weekend and we will give clothes and household items to their efforts. A quick google search will lead you to them! When the time comes, will do what we do for the kiddos left vulnerable from this situation and if you would like to participate in that you can get in touch with us as well.  What I will ask is that you pray for each individual and family hurting from this.

With love from Zimbabwe,

Gigi