and the rains came down...(brisbane floods)

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."  And oh, the rain is falling. And falling. And falling.


The Brisbane area of northeast Australia is currently facing torrential rains and flooding at an unprecedented level. Areas throughout the northeast have been inundated by monsoonal rains that have continued for weeks, and have sent water levels to new highs.  Many cities and communities have been ravaged by raging floodwaters, with much loss of life and property.  As I write, the waters are now bearing down on the city of Brisbane  (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8194723/instant-inland-tsunami-kills-four).  The water catchment dam built outside the city in 1974 (following massive flooding then) is at 140% of capacity, and if rains don't subside quickly, disaster will continue to escalate.

This is the part of Australia with which we have a partnership, both through our missionary (Daun Slauson) and our Global Outreach (GO!) Teams that have been going there since 2003.  The Ann Street Church of Christ with whom we work is in the downtown area and may be in the path of the floodwaters, should they come.  Many our friends are being directly impacted by these events, and need our prayers.  Will you pray for their safety, and for the rains to abate?  But will you also pray for a spirit of brokenness to sweep over the Australian people, and that they will turn their hearts to God?  This is a country that has been spiritually dry for many years and needs to understand its need for the Lord.  Ask God to reveal his mercy and grace in the midst of great suffering and sorrow.  And that the rain of his love will fall upon a wonderful people in a fresh way.  


Note: here is part of our latest update from Daun, received 01/11: I have spoken to Tim (Ann Street Church elder)...they evacuated everyone out of Brisbane City at about midday today...and told people not to come back unless they absolutely need to. He spoke with his dad re: Ann St (his parents have been around Ann St. for many years) and he feels that we will be safe from the flooding. Though the church is not too far from the river, it is higher up. Let's hope he is right. 

     So, the reason for the higher amount of flooding tomorrow is because they have had to open the gates to the Wivenho Dam, and now that water, along with the rain and flood waters from other areas is coming down river... and tomorrow at 3pm there will be a King Tide... so water rising from the sea and coming in mixed with all the water coming down... all suburbs near the river have been warned to evacuate. They are estimating that a minimum of 7,000 properties will be wiped out.. with another 16,000 affected.