They cannot cultivate
The story from Juba is heavy with ripple effect consequences of war and climate change. PBS News Hour has produced a compelling video about the life conditions faced by families in sub-Saharan Africa, this includes Juba, South Sudan. The war in Ukraine has increased basic necessities like food. Climate change is being credited with drought coupled by recent flooding. The result: its hard to grow food. The story is not about numbers or tribes but specific mothers, their children and even though the fathers seem to be absent from this video, they are there in the midst of this story. What is the need? Protein, carbohydrates, school, community and work. These words of need and opportunity are the same words valued by every other neighborhood across the world.
In the land of Israel, Elijah (892–832 BC) is God’s prophet. Ahab is the king of Israel, but he doesn’t listen to God. The consequence is drought. God miraculously uses ravens to provide food and bread to Elijah. When the brook in the Kerith Ravine dries up, God sends Elijah to a widow and her son. In faith, she shares her last meal with Elijah and God provides for her family and Elijah. One day at a time. One loaf at a time.
The story of Elijah is echoed in the PBS video, the storehouses of World Vision are diminishing, the supply lines are in jeopardy, the prices are climbing and drought and flooding are threatening cultivation. In the present and the past these stories echo each other in the theme of provision. Just as he has in the past, God again provides hope in war and in drought and his eye is always on the widow and the orphan. He is faithful. I invite you to pray for Ukraine and Juba and to listen for how he might use you in this story.