Lokho in Marsabit, Kenya, holds the vegetables she has grown
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places… and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. ”
Today’s reading follows directly on from the one we read yesterday. It tells us of the rewards that await if we listen to God’s word and make a change in our world. Our light will shine in the darkness; we will be like a watered garden.
The rain finally returned to Marsabit in northern Kenya after a long drought, and the grass has grown long. Sadly, this just reminds people of what they have lost. The grass has only grown so well because there are not enough animals left to graze.
But new shade nets now protect crops from the sun, while letting moisture through, and women in the community have learnt to use dry grass as mulch, to help conserve as much water in the soil as possible.
Lokho speaks of the difference the garden makes: “We didn’t have access to vegetables… but now vegetables are locally available.”
Lokho and her community are working hard to satisfy their needs – even in scorched places. We pray that God may be with all people who face these challenges and that we may support them as they strive to find solutions.
Prayer
Compassionate God, you are with us in the desert places and you guide us always. Show us the way to plant seeds of hope and to water them through every action we take to support our sisters and brothers. Amen.