Send Down The Rain!

Sometimes being in a rural community makes one appreciate some little things we take for granted. A lot of people don’t know the importance of certain elements as long as they see foods to buy in the market. Most of us do not even listen to weather forecasts anymore. We switch to other channels once it’s time for that segment knowing the news is coming to an end. I arrived at church on a Sunday in the second quarter of 2016 and the men were a bit downcast. They wanted to talk to me before the commencement of the service. I gave them audience and one of them said through the interpreter “Pastor, the heavens are closed. We don’t know if our sins in this village are too many but rains are not falling. How do we feed our families?” At first, it did not sink in; hence, I ignored. The rains will fall when at their own time. We continued with the regular Sunday service and as the women were singing, the thoughts of rain not falling rushed through my head again. I remembered years of having to wait on the government to pass the budget and the effects it had on my business and targets, being that most of my clients were in the public sector. It dawned on me how important the rains were to these farmers. Every crop has its season. Rain not starting early will affect some crops while. Too heavy rains will affect others. These people depend on the elements to make a living. I had acted insensitively. Before the end of the service, I led the congregation into prayers. “Joint supplications are powerful,” I told them. Our request to God was direct and specific. “oh Lord, send down the rains!” “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” – Matthew 18:19

For the first time, I genuinely prayed about the elements. I never previously joined those who would pray against the rain when celebrating their wedding ceremonies as I would always say “let the will of the Lord be done”. But here was I moved to tears. The congregation prayed their hearts out and I felt a peace in my spirit that the prayers were answered. We said “The Grace” and I left the village. I recall telling a close colleague of mine at work the following day, what transpired at the village and his heart melted. He prayed in the office that our prayers be answered, and the heavens be opened. Around 8 pm that Monday, the heavens were let loose. It was a torrential rainfall. The following day, there was another torrential rainfall. By Saturday, rain had fallen four times. All the times, my mind was just going to the analogy of my business being dependent on Government budget and policies and all I could say in response to the downpours was “thank You, Lord!” As a result of the heavy rains during the week, it was difficult for me to cross the stream leading to the village the following Sunday, as it was flooded. I came down from the motorbike and waded through the waters with the commercial motorcyclist pushing his bike through the waters too. I did not mind. I got to church in an elated mood. On getting to the church, the same man that complained about the rain was the first to speak up. “Pastor, please tell your God to reduce the rain! This one too much!!” We all went into a fit of laughter. As you would expect it was a day of giving thanks and appreciating God for simple things like the rain falling. I learnt a fundamental lesson that we do not thank God enough, especially for things we consider as basic in life. Since then, I thank God everything: The wind that blows The sun that shines The rain that falls The ground upon which I walk The trees and beasts of the field The birds that sing The moon and the stars. Never would a hen gulp water without giving thanks to the heavens.