Rains in Africa

Rain. Or lack thereof is what is happening in Madagascar at the current moment. You will see gray clouds looming overhead, but nothing falls out of them. And if something does, its for seconds, at the MOST minutes long. Drought, is certainly here in the capital city of Antananarivo.

I haven’t been in the city long, so I don’t claim to know much of it. What I do know, is that the streets are crowded with cars and people alike. During lunchtime, you can see the “sidewalks” filled with little kids in their blue smocks, going home for break. A few hours later, those same children fill the sidewalks again, going back to school. The cycle repeats itself every day.

Since it is currently Saturday here, the pace is quite a bit slower, which my little town Madagascar heart loves. It is a welcomed relief from all the hustle and bustle. When I’ve been driving around, I’ve noticed many Malagasy people staring. This is not an uncommon occurrence, because of my very pale white skin. However, when people stare, I tend to smile and wave back. It catches them off guard and they get the biggest smile on their faces.

That is one of my favorite things to do here. Make people smile. Since there is a drought right now, people have little to smile about. And that is drought on top of poverty and famine…life is not easy in Madagascar. 

The Holy Spirit is so gracious to us all the time. He intercedes on our behalf to God the Father...even when we don't know how to pray. I don't even know where to begin when praying for rain. I want to pray for it as earnestly as Elijah prayed for rain. But I want to rejoice even if it doesn't come when I think it should.

In God's perfect timing is when we see things happen in our lives. Things aren't always easy. The waiting is not always easy. BUT the waiting is ALWAYS good. The rain is coming. I don't know when, but I know my God is good and rain will come. Surely as the sun will rise.