Showers of Blessings

Many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head,

and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger. 

Saint Basil

 

 

How many officers and employess does it take to get Territorial leaders into their vehicle during a fierce rain storm?  Well, it takes one to fetch the vehicle, another to turn it around, a third to hold the umbrella while Mama is climbing in, a fourth to help Ken get in on his side, a fifth to put our briefcases in the back, and one more to open the gate, give us a smart salute, and wave goodbye with a broad smile.  Boy, how I love my Kenyan family!
 

Over the last few months, which have been characterized by sweltering heat, I have been dreaming of the cooler days that accompany the 'long rains' of March through May.  I think it is now safe to say that they have arrived.  Last night, for example, there was lots of thunder and lightning, and it rained so long and so hard that Ken and I ended up praying earnestly that the Lord would protect our home and Headquarters building.  A quick inspection this morning revealed that our prayers were answered, as our home suffered no damage, and we found nothing at THQ that was completely under water.  In fact, God went above and beyond and actually provided electricity to our home throughout the storm, something which my colleagues tell me is a true miracle. 

 

The long rains are late here in Kakamega, but thankfully, we need no longer fear that the farmers (and our officers) will lose their crops.  So everyone seems to be breathing a sigh of relief.  Indeed, we are all thanking the Lord for His provision.




The Hodder's banana tree on our shamba (farm plot)

Still, even as we celebrate the heavy rains, my heart aches for our people who live in Turkana, a remote and arid part of the Territory.  According to Oxfam International , Turkana has suffered greatly over the past twenty years due to climate change, and water is very scarce.  As the rivers dry up, open-pit wells are dug in order to water livestock and obtain drinking water.  There are only a handful of such wells, though, and families must often travel several hours with their small herds in order to reach them.  On top of that, the water is often contaminated. 

 

So whenever our staff visits any village or town in Turkana,  the entire community shows up, all of them hoping to get a bite of food and a little water.  And the officers who serve there often go without fruit or vegetables on their dinner tables.

 

Children collecting water from The Salvation Army mobile water tank.

The Army does everything we can to help our people.  But even when our limited resources run low, we still distribute hope.  That's because we always share the gospel, the source of living water.

 

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said,
 rivers of living water will flow from within them.

John 7:38 (NIV)

Thank you, Lord, for the showers of blessings that are promised to those who look to you.