Power Struggles
Driving through the rough roads in Androy land we set our eyes for the goal ahead. We are heading out to train trainers, encourage local believers, and set up some baptism services. Full of hope and excitement we drive down the road re-capturing the beauty of the desert. Then reality begins to hit us. All the fields are burnt up. The corn didn't make it. The balahazo (kasava) is small. The fields are being cleaned out. Another year of no real harvest. We continue on the long journey but as we pass by field after field with no new crops our hearts begin to break within us. We begin to just pray within our soul asking the Lord to send rain and to help these people out.
We arrive at the first town and visit a local pastor. He just had a baby. Praise the Lord! We rejoice with him and give a small gift according to customs due to the new baby. We begin to chat and it is evident that the people are beginning to suffer. We press on down the road and at every stop the news is the same. For a people group of herders and farmers rain and crops are essential for survival. The news is that everyone has used up or about to use up their reserves they had saved up for the tough times. Last year they had little to no crops and so they have already been living off of the reserves. We can absolutely see that desperation is setting in.
So the question comes to our mind. What do we do with desperation? There is a Malagasy proverb that basically states that "the hungry stomach leads to the spirit wandering". In essence, the people become willing to try anything. We didn't have many answers at the time. We encouraged them and we shared with them that the Lord is in charge of all things and even things that seem bad and difficult He can use for His Glory. Let's ask Him to make these tough times into times of Him displaying His greatness. We couldn't offer much. We gave no promises, we just let them know that we cared. We finished every meeting we had by asking the Lord to send rain.
We knew that to ask God to send rain would be a power struggle for everyone in the village. Does the creator God really have power? Can he do more than the witch doctors who haven't come through on what they said? A power struggle it was and we boldly claimed that God could and would send rain. We asked our churches and preaching points in different areas to circle up and look out towards all directions and ask the Lord to send healing to the land. We circled up and hit all directions and each person asked the Lord to send rain.
We finished the prayer time and said our good byes. Leaving the areas of ministry we diligently search through the blue clear skies for clouds to roll in. We are able to spot a small cloud in the distance. Then as we begin our journey back home we begin to notice that the sky is filling up with clouds. Even greater, we notice what seems to be rain falling in the distance. God is doing it! He is sending rain where there has been no rain. We praise Him silently hoping for a downpour of His blessings on the land. Each place we prayed, the Lord answered our prayers and He sent rain. Thought it wasn't a lot it was a powerful message to all. God is able and He is willing we just need to ask with faith and trust Him.
The rains are late and since our last trip it hasn't really rained a lot besides what God did after we prayed. However, the message has been received by the people that God does care. We are seeking ways to help out. We don't have enough food to feed the almost 2 million people being effected by this famine but we can start with a few. Thanks to your generous giving to missions and thanks to BGR (Baptist Global Relief) we have received some emergency relief funds to help supplement the food for several locations. By no means will it be enough but we do pray that the Lord will multiply this gift and work miracles in the lives of the people.
Praises:
We had a good bush trip and we have seen the Lord do great and Mighty things
We have more baptisms planned for this month
Adam was able to see Phoebe and Emma at RVA and they are doing well
The Minton's finally made it to the States and the SoMad team is adjusting well
Prayer Request
We will be having the food distribution over the next couple of weeks.
We have some trips coming forth and doctor appointments
Phoebe and Emma to be encouraged and feel energized for all the events they are involved in
Baylee to adjust well with her good friends on STAS
We arrive at the first town and visit a local pastor. He just had a baby. Praise the Lord! We rejoice with him and give a small gift according to customs due to the new baby. We begin to chat and it is evident that the people are beginning to suffer. We press on down the road and at every stop the news is the same. For a people group of herders and farmers rain and crops are essential for survival. The news is that everyone has used up or about to use up their reserves they had saved up for the tough times. Last year they had little to no crops and so they have already been living off of the reserves. We can absolutely see that desperation is setting in.
So the question comes to our mind. What do we do with desperation? There is a Malagasy proverb that basically states that "the hungry stomach leads to the spirit wandering". In essence, the people become willing to try anything. We didn't have many answers at the time. We encouraged them and we shared with them that the Lord is in charge of all things and even things that seem bad and difficult He can use for His Glory. Let's ask Him to make these tough times into times of Him displaying His greatness. We couldn't offer much. We gave no promises, we just let them know that we cared. We finished every meeting we had by asking the Lord to send rain.
We knew that to ask God to send rain would be a power struggle for everyone in the village. Does the creator God really have power? Can he do more than the witch doctors who haven't come through on what they said? A power struggle it was and we boldly claimed that God could and would send rain. We asked our churches and preaching points in different areas to circle up and look out towards all directions and ask the Lord to send healing to the land. We circled up and hit all directions and each person asked the Lord to send rain.
We finished the prayer time and said our good byes. Leaving the areas of ministry we diligently search through the blue clear skies for clouds to roll in. We are able to spot a small cloud in the distance. Then as we begin our journey back home we begin to notice that the sky is filling up with clouds. Even greater, we notice what seems to be rain falling in the distance. God is doing it! He is sending rain where there has been no rain. We praise Him silently hoping for a downpour of His blessings on the land. Each place we prayed, the Lord answered our prayers and He sent rain. Thought it wasn't a lot it was a powerful message to all. God is able and He is willing we just need to ask with faith and trust Him.
The rains are late and since our last trip it hasn't really rained a lot besides what God did after we prayed. However, the message has been received by the people that God does care. We are seeking ways to help out. We don't have enough food to feed the almost 2 million people being effected by this famine but we can start with a few. Thanks to your generous giving to missions and thanks to BGR (Baptist Global Relief) we have received some emergency relief funds to help supplement the food for several locations. By no means will it be enough but we do pray that the Lord will multiply this gift and work miracles in the lives of the people.
Praises:
We had a good bush trip and we have seen the Lord do great and Mighty things
We have more baptisms planned for this month
Adam was able to see Phoebe and Emma at RVA and they are doing well
The Minton's finally made it to the States and the SoMad team is adjusting well
Prayer Request
We will be having the food distribution over the next couple of weeks.
We have some trips coming forth and doctor appointments
Phoebe and Emma to be encouraged and feel energized for all the events they are involved in
Baylee to adjust well with her good friends on STAS
Dry Fields
Finished up a prayer time
Prayer Circles
Prayer Circles
God Answering Prayers
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