Rain, Rain and Flooding

Shingwedzi Camp in Kruger National Park

 It started raining here last Monday, January 14th and rained most of the time for 7 days. On Sunday night I was searching the weather websites to see how much rain we had here in Polokwane.  On one site I scrolled down and this is what I saw ...

Sky: Mostly cloudy
Rain: Tons of rain
Precipitation: 100%

Moving here from West Texas and STILL trying to get used to a "rainy season", finding that on the weather made me laugh. 

Some areas have had over 500mm of rain (over 20 inches). Today is the first day of sunshine with bright blue sky in several days although more rain is expected this weekend.  We have enjoyed the rain here in Polokwane but there are areas that are experiencing too much and rivers are flooding. 

William spoke to Masango, who is in Mabuzane, and he said that both the Limpopo and the Muanetsi Rivers (one by Mabuzane) are full and no one can even cross with boats.  Masango said some homes were damaged in the storm and their house started to leak but everyone is fine. 

I talked to Derrick this morning and he said they all survived the flooding in Malamulele and his family as well as the families in their church are doing fine. 

This link will show you pictures of the Shingwedzi Camp in Kruger National Park.  When a team leaves Mozambique and heads to Mopani Camp they usually stop at the Shingwedzi for the toilet and an ice cream.  Many of you that have joined us on outreach over the years have been to this area.

I looked at the Kruger National Park website and they said that the Punda Maria and Pafuri Gates are closed as well as the Pafuri Entry Port (border post).

Please pray for the people in Mozambique as well as the areas around South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe that have been affected by the rain and flooding. 

Here are more links to check out the flooding that has been caused by the recent rains in the area.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Floods-cause-death-destruction-20130120

http://www.jacarandafm.com/kagiso/content/en/jacaranda/jacaranda-news?oid=1815775&sn=Detail&pid=6182&PHOTOS--Limpopo-flood-rescue-resumes

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151438380883745.540830.601983744&type=1

 http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/Flooding-in-Lowveld-20130122