Bring the Rain!
(The man) answered…”But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the (man) exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9: 22-24
A few weeks ago Ivan our Executive Director solemnly shared that the East African drought that has led to famine in parts of Somalia, South Sudan and Northern Uganda has now officially impacted us in southern Uganda. We lost our March crop of potatoes completely and if it did not rain soon, we would also lose our June crop of sorghum. Ivan added at that point, “People will die here, ma.” Our village of peasant farmers has few people who actually own plots of land large enough to harvest for income. Instead, they are hired manual laborers who carry a basket on their heads, a baby on their backs and a hoe over their shoulders. Barefoot, they dig all day in rows of about 10 people for the landowner. Some rent land to plant and often the food they harvest they also eat every day. You can imagine the devastation losing a crop would bring to these people who exist hand to mouth each growing season.
Immediately I emailed my MCM supporters and asked them to please join the villagers in praying for rain. And they did! They replied to me with promises they were praying and with verses and with heartfelt compassion. Even a Preschool class of 3 and 4 year olds my granddaughter attends prayed for Uganda for rain. The very next day Ivan sent me the photo above with the caption, “It’s raining!” It has continued to rain there these past two weeks. Some just drizzle but others good “soaking” rains. Our village is praising and thanking God!
What a lesson to me! I must admit here that although I also prayed and prayed sincerely multiple times I did not EXPECT rain. I HOPED for rain but I knew this drought had been going on for enough time to cause famine in other areas. When I received that photo I looked at it for a while in surprise, then elation. God answered our prayers! Wow! It hit me then…me of little faith. Of course God answered our prayers! Earlier, innocent little children had asked me why God would not send rain to Uganda? Yes! Why wouldn’t He?
Immediately I exclaim, “I do believe! Help me to overcome my unbelief!”
Thank God our good Father that He does help all of us overcome our unbelief.
