“Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.” Jeremiah 14:22 NIV
“Have you planted your rice yet?” a foreigner asks a local Zhuang farmer.
“No, there has not been enough rain yet,” comes the reply, “our seedlings are almost too big to transplant. If we don't get enough rain within the next couple of days, we will need to plant corn.”
The Zhuang farmer's only way of getting cash is to sell his extra rice, one of his animals or to find work in the city. This year has been the driest in 20 years according to some of the local farmers. Although there has been some rain, it hasn't been enough for growing rice, one of the best cash crops. This will put an extra financial strain on families with older children in school or those who were planning to use the extra money to buy farm equipment or pay back loans for medical bills.
In one area there is a sacred forest where the trees are never cut. Usually the rains come after a special sacrifice is made to the spirit of the trees. This year it did rain, but not as much as usual. Is God asking the Zhuang to look to Him for help?
- Pray that this would be the year of salvation for many who have never heard of the One who created the rain and gives it as He pleases.
Praise:
- For a local friend's opportunity to share in her village that is suffering from the draught. Pray that the spiritual seeds that were planted will grow and bear fruit.
- That tuition is now totally free for children up to grade 9 in Yunnan. Pray that these funds would indeed be properly allocated.
Pray:
- For rain at the right time to sustain the farmers crop this year.
- For a family that is moving to a rural area this month. Pray for spiritual and physical protection. Pray that they will make a smooth transition to their new area.
- That young believers would grow up in Him and be able to effectively help others.
- For some young believers that have been “helped” by shaman or witch doctors in the past. That these ties would be clearly broken and all strongholds of the evil one removed.
