A LONG DROUGHT

Not only has the Dodoma environment endured a long dry spell, so also has my blog writing.  Actually the dry season here has lasted much longer than my blog writing hiatus, but today seems like a good day to recognize a new season and get back to writing.

Yesterday morning’s rain has changed the face of the countryside.  It started to rain at about 3.30 a.m. and continued on for almost two hours.  There was a real downpour at the beginning and then it settled in to a more gentle rain for a total of almost 2½ inches.  All the dust that had been accumulating on the trees and bushes was washed away and they all look so green and shining today.

And as I walked this morning I saw numerous people on their way to their fields, each one with a hoe on one shoulder, a bag of seeds on the other and carrying a jug of water.  Every little unoccupied plot has been planted and certainly the rain has brought out the farmer in everyone.

One thing I especially noted on my morning walk was how many trees planted alongside the road have survived.  Nearing the end of the rainy season last year the City Council planted trees on both sides of all our new roads in this area.  Some were cared for by the people living in nearby houses; some were eaten by the goats and cows; some died from neglect; others that I noted today survived and now after this beautiful rain are standing strong and ready to grow during the coming season.  They will certainly beautify the area, as well as offering their shade.

The frogs are croaking away in the gully near our house, and viewing the road kill today I saw smashed frogs, lizards and those big black scorpions that make me shudder.  The water has gone down in all the nearby gullies but I could see where it had been high, way above its banks.  Because it has been so hot people have been saying that we’re going to have a heavy rainy season.  We shall see.

It feels like a new beginning with the rain, and the fact that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is only a couple days away just reiterates that feeling.  New life, new birth, new peace and loving kindness on our earth:  my prayer today.