The Rains

The people of Malawi live by faith. Rainy season is usually late November to early March. This season the rains arrived on time and everyone praised God. They continued nicely until mid January and then they stopped. During February there were light rains in scattered places, but nothing of substance. People began to speculate about the crops. Malawi is a rain-dependent agricultural country. There is little irrigation, so when the rains stop, people’s livelihoods are at risk. What kind of a maize crop would this yield? Maize is the staple for almost everyone in the country. Other crops only augment the maize. The immature maize began to dry up on the stocks, not a good sign. Then the cassava was invested with bugs. Cassava is breakfast for many people as well as being a cash crop for many others. This was a bad sign. Rice had no water, so was not growing. People began to pray.

God heard because last week the rains began again. Each day for the last 10 it has rained substantially, so much so that some areas have flooded. In typical Malawian fashion, everyone is praising God for the rains, and adjusting to this late blessing. The maize is fairly well gone. There is nothing that can be done but to harvest it before it gathers too much moisture on the stock and begins to mold, destroying what is available. The cassava is already harvested. But the rice farmers are thrilled. These rains are giving them new life and hope. Some are even planting who have not grown much rice before. Those who grow beans are delighted. There is hope yet for a good crop. The crops have been affected, but all is not lost. God is good. There are no complaints heard, only praise for God’s provision and intervention. People will have food to eat and will have crops to sell and that is what counts most. If you have water, you have life, so they are praising God for the life he has given and are taking advantage of the opportunities available. That is living by faith.