The rains have come

The rains have come to the desert. Praise be to God for answering the prayers of so many.

It has been years since the last rainfall, but this week has been a downpour. It won’t last long, but it is enough for now.

Rain brings life. Camels can drink, produce milk, and move again. Those who were stranded in the desert can now travel and escape from war. The war is being fought army vs. militia, with the militia using kidnapping, bombs, and rape as their strategy. The fighting is happening along the same paths that famine-stricken survivors travel as they desperately try to find water. The rains bring greater freedom. With camels able to move again, refugees can get out of the way. And despite the escalation of violence, with rain comes hope.

Rain also brings death. B tells us that the last time there was a severe drought followed by torrential rains, in the 80s, the rains brought malaria. That time, 700 children died of malaria within 2 months in town. The children out in the bush right now are already dying in far higher numbers from malnutrition and dehydration. Malaria will bring death on an even greater scale.

We are buying all the malaria treatment medications we can find, and will be working as much as we can to reach as many children as possible. We can’t save everyone, but we can save the children we get to in time, so we will do our best.

Please pray that somehow, by some miracle, the malaria outbreak that follows these rains will not be as bad as dreaded. Pray that we can reach many children. Pray for efficiency and stamina for those of us working in the field. Pray for food. Pray for life. Pray for protection. Pray for peace.

Next week, we will leave the security of town and head north into the bush. We will bring with us medicine, food, and hope.

Something that Kristy, a pastor at Awaken, reminded me of last week is that pain needs to be embraced sometimes. During the pangs of childbirth, if the mother is anticipating pain and anxious about it, if she is afraid and tense, the labour will drag out and can cause complications. If the mother breathes through the pain, taking it in, letting it flow over her in waves while remaining hopeful, delivery will be smoother. Strange how pain is involved in both life and death. I am trying to keep hope in my heart, expecting the pain of children dying, willing myself to bear it, to grieve and continue on, convincing myself to keep loving even though it will hurt unbearably. Please pray that we show love above all else, that we seek the face of Christ in those who are suffering, that we tenderly love Him in all the guises He may present.