the flood pt. 3

Well, after hearing all week that "the flood waters are coming soon," today was finally the day.  I, however, did not actually witness any of the flood, but only its residual effects at the evacuee center.  I spent my day sorting and folding donated clothes for distribution.  It was hot and sunny outside.  The puddles on the ground were not even as large as after a heavy rain.  In my very small little corner of Rangsit, all is safe and dry.  The only parts of Rangsit (my town) which are currently flooded are those that were flooded intentionally to prevent water from spreading elsewhere.  The plan worked.  Bangkok (where the money is) is saved... for now. 

This is the story that you will read online.  What the story is leaving out, however, is that those "intentionally flooded areas" are not just open rice fields, but they are neighborhoods.  Less than 10 kilometers (6 miles) from where I live.  People live in those places.  Or at least, they lived there until they were flooded as a sacrifice for Bangkok.  It is unjust and highly political. 

I am safe, Grapevine is safe, and Thammasat's campus is safe, but our community has been greatly affected by the floods.  This will not be over anytime soon.  The relief effort will continue for weeks.  Would you please remember the flood victims and the volunteers in your prayers?  And would you pray that the Thai government would treat each of its citizens with respect?

This photo was taken today by my co-worker Bank in a flooded slum neighborhood where he was helping to build a sandbag wall.  The wall was to keep water in this area, not to keep it out.