A Time to Root

This season of "Thanksgiving" is a time to appreciate the abundance in our lives. Not just the plentiful food, but the comforts of home and the love of family and friends. These blessings don't just happen, do they? Many are suffering from the lack of them in very real ways. All around me I see people living in starvation in the midst of a land of plenty. Why?

It is a question worth digging into. Like in many other problems of life, the answers are buried for us to search out.

Take a look at the situation in Makindu for instance. As I marvel at the flourishing landscape, so transformed by the recent rains, it is hard to image that the famine conditions are becoming more severe.

"This is an expansive plain with an underground river that is used for animals in the dry weather," Lawrence explains. "Cows, goats and sheep graze here freely, with each person caring for his own. There is plenty of fodder coming up in the rainy weather. See how green the shrubs have become already? If the rains continue the bushes will grow higher and become more succulent."

"Goats are the main source of income for the average person here. Adult goats sell in the market for about 3000 Kenya shillings (around US $ 40)."

Grazing livestock on green pastures. Is there anything more beautiful or inspiring? This picture of abundance, like so much that is good in life, isn't mere chance. It is made possible by the unseen millions of rootlets that have thrust deep into the soil to drink. What difference would the rain make if there were no roots to claim it? It is also the result of investment and sacrifice. Please pray for the families in this area that are seeking the Lord for the means to become more self-supporting.



Here are the new maize crops after the first weeks of rain. But now the land is drying up again. The precious seed was planted and the water brought it to life, but unless it roots deep what hope does it have? Like the seed sown in the rocky ground, will it be scorched in the Kenya heat and wither away for lack of being established? "Please, pray that God returns the rains back and gives us enough. Otherwise the famine in the area will be long and painful."



I can't but think human souls are in the same condition. Unless we take hold of the water of life that God has sent our way, and root down deep, today's successes don't have much meaning. We may endure for awhile, but in time of trouble and persecution because of truth we will become offended and wither away. (Matthew 13:21) It is easy to grow when the "going is good," but the farmer knows his crop isn't established until it can stand in the heat and hold up in the wind. Now is the time to root down, so let us be praying both for ourselves and the many seekers out there.

Consider the Lord's intentions: "For as the rain comes down... and waters the earth, and makes it to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: so shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth... it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11) Do we believe that Word and let it bring life eternal to us? Here is the secret of flourishing, for what we receive at the root-level will be produced in our lives.

Delays of Mercy

The work on the center building has been making slow progress recently. The roofing timber that has been ordered from Tanzania is costing more than expected and taking longer to arrive. Meanwhile, the much-needed rains are here, slowing down construction.

Here you can see how the walls are being built up between the pillars, while the roofing is being waited on.

It was a great blessing that the sewage hole has been completed! The masonry lining will prevent the heavy rains from eroding the sides, so all that is needed is the concrete cover now. Praise God!


Other inspection doesn't seem too heartening, though. Here the "ringto" is cracking, due to mistakes made by the mason. It will have to be rebuilt again.

At this corner you can see the joint is weak. Surely not strong enough to support the heavy roofing timbers! As we learn to trust the great Manager of our times and seasons, we see His hand of mercy in it all. "It is good that the timber is delayed," Lawrence acknowledges, "because if the roofing was done when this weakness was not noticed, the roof might have crumbled. It is a blessing."


Isn't this true of our lives? In mercy God sends adversity and set backs. While we might see these troubles as needless delays, they are often critical for our growth. That is, if we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal our need and restore us. I don't like having to "redo" things anymore than you. But isn't better to humble down and receive correction and alignment in our lives, than to ruthlessly pursue high attainments - only to have our building come crumbling down about us later?

"Therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy u0pon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

Rains of Mercy

The rains have come to Makindu!

Do we thank God for rain? Do we stop to consider the life-giving source sprinkled so liberally upon us? Drops of mercy, every one. Sent from the One who knows our smallest needs - "that maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust" - the One who truly cares.

The reservoirs fill with with water again.

And rivers appear in the dry gullies, where marsh vegetation flourishes.

Wells brim up with a life-giving water for the dry months ahead. "Praise God and thank Him for the rains," Brother Lawrence writes. "We have had heavy showers and the crops have begun germinating where seed has been available."


God's mercies can be overlooked. The day-to-day needs are still pressing. There are many suffering in famine, hardly able to see beyond the need of the present. They come to the meetings, glad for the food hand-outs twice a week.


Yesterday's meeting was packed with visitors. Pray that more may come hungry for the Word of life and invest in the hour of their opportunity. The heavens have been opened upon the barren Savannah in more ways than one, bringing hope for the future and a witness to God's everlasting faithfulness. Who will prepare their heart for the gospel seed?

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12