Behold he comes
2013 highlights / disasters
- Storms: Typhoon Hayan – Philippines: preparation, progression, damage, history; Storm that hit Northern Europe; US
- Strikes/industrial action – US fast-food restaurant workers
- Deaths: Madiba
World Subjects of the heart:
- Food, Agriculture
- Music and Entertainment
- Clothing
The euphoria of eager waiting in a crowd can be best illustrated by crowds in Kisekka Market welcoming an opposition politian or some villagers welcoming a ruling party official. Extreme adrenaline kicks in and jubilations can tempt the observer to think all their problems will end that day; nothing can stop such a crowd – not even the police unless thouroughly beefed up with mightier military gear than what one needs to fight Al Queda. The positively spirited euphoria of welcoming a hero like the golden Stephen Kiprotich.
Was it similar tension that gripped Kyambogo Students while waiting for the staff strike to be called off after three weeks of uncertain redundance?
Or was it similar anxiety that swallowed up the S6 candidates as they wrote their last paper, just staring at a long vacation out of the prison of school rules and bounds?
Or was it the same apprehension that was gripping the Tacloban survivors of the Typhoon Hayan as they thirsted and longed for rescuers, food and water? Those who are waiting and longing for something positive illustrate one side of the coin; but the other side can be well illustrated if we talk a bit more about this Typhoon that devastated the Phillipines just last month on the 09th day of November killed over 5000 people:
This country knew that danger was coming as early as five days before the catastrophe. Warnings were loudly sounded on raido, TV and in newspapers; by the evening of November 7, PSWS No. 4, the highest level of warning which indicates winds in excess of 185km/h are expected, was raised for risky parts. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas were required to evacuate. The Philippine President requested the military to deploy planes and helicopters to the region expected to be affected. Moreover, this was not going to be a strange occurrence as this country has experienced deadly Typhoons every single year between September and December for at least the last seven years – indicating that they ought to have learnt lessons and prepared themselves for such occurrences.
Philippines is located in a zone that experiences an annual Pacific typhoon season; but with more experience and more preparation, the damage seems to become worse every year! Last year only 1200 confirmed dead. This year, over 5,000 confirmed dead, 1700 still missing, 26,136 injured, millions affected and left homeless. Over 500million dollar worth of damages incurred (agriculture and infrastructure); diseases were multiplied, violent scampering for food and water and evacuation transport … hurling insults at officials, crime as inmates escaped… horror of loss and devastation and hunger…
It is claimed by some officials that despite the warnings, many Phillipinos continued with life as usual, and it is this majority that fed the deadly storm with casualities when it made land fall. As if they were eagerly waiting for the dangerous monster, they did not escape its wrath.
But some desired to run away and indeed made efforts, but were overcome by the might of the waters and storm and were still swallowed up!
Waiting to see the Pope?
Waiting for a saviour… o that you would rend the heavens and come down… Is 64:1-5
God bless you.