The clear blue skies with intense sunshine return once again over Bangula as the rainy season draws to a close.  The rains have not been much to brag about this year, at least here in the southern district of Malawi.  In fact, the lack of rain has caused great concern among thousands of families who have had their crops destroyed by the drought during December and January.  Some fortunate enough to have found more seed, have persisted, planting again, yet have very little to show.  It looks like it will be a difficult year, again.

God commanded the Israelites to go back into the middle of the Jordan river and collect 12 rocks to build a memorial.  As they stepped out of that tunnel with water piled up on both sides, I am sure they thought they would never forget.  Why was a memorial necessary?  It would be impossible to forget such a demonstration of the power of God!  And yet, God knew.  He set them up, knowing the nature of children, for they would ask:  Why is this pile of stones here, dad?  What does it mean?  And the question would stir a memory, and faith would rise.

How can there be hunger when there was a surplus of maize in Malawi?  Greed.  Jealousy.  Those who have lots want more, and hoard maize so that they can get an even more ridiculous price for it in the months to come.  How many more people will die before hearts are softened?  As the price has increased, people have been forced to buy maize one basin at a time, for as much as 500 Malawi Kwacha ($4.60 Cnd).  Several times in the last week, there has been no maize available at all in Bangula.  It is hard to tell where this will lead.  Many people are not eating every day. 

Rescuing butterflies is a delightful way to spend an afternoon.  In Zomba, our cool retreat, there is a certain sticky plant which attracts innocent butterflies presumably by some alluring scent.  As Kalina and I walked we came across clumps of brightly coloured butterflies slowly coming to a sticky end.  Careful not to touch their delicate wings, we gently removed a few and found that they were alive and eager to be free.  Likely many flew off to land on a similar plant and die a similar death.  I hope some of them found friendlier flowers.

‘There is no one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you.  And who is like your people Israel – the one nation on earth whose God WENT OUT to redeem a people for himself.’   1 Chron.17:20-21

In Bangula the rain pounded down again on our roof throughout the whole night.  We slept restlessly, awakening often, concerned for those whose grass shelters would not withstand these conditions. We know that this Malawi rain will eventually flow downstream into the devastated flood region of Mutarara, Mozambique, challenging relief efforts even more.  We pray and hope that in the midst of this, the thousands displaced find some comfort in Jesus, who we know is near. 

God’s question for Solomon:  “What shall I give you?” echoes through the ages.  ‘Ask anything in my name and I will do it.’  John14:14  ‘Ask, and you will receive.’  Matthew 7:7