nd he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.  Psalm 1:3

My two trips to the East Mamprusi region of Ghana have been in February – the hot, dry dusty season when everything is brown and lifeless.  I have seen photos from others who have gone to the same villages in July and October showing lush, green fields as if they were in a totally different region.

While many of the villagers use the dry season as down time, others find creative ways to remain productive.  In several villages, once you figure out the lay of the land, it is not difficult to find a stream in a low area.  It may be near the village or it may be a mile or so away.

Usually, finding the steam, leads you to a place of intense activity.  The most interesting activity near the stream is the garden area.  Walled gardens hug close to the stream’s edge as a green oasis in the otherwise parched land.

Narrow paths separate neat garden rows of onions, tomatoes and leafy greens that provide luxurious treats and a source of income for the enterprising farmer.

The nearby stream is a lifeline for the farmer who is willing to work to keep his crops irrigated.

Even when we are in a dry and weary land, we have access to streams of living water.  The question is whether we are going to stay in the dusty village are venture to the water’s edge.  Have you found the stream?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 6:40 am and is filed under Africa Mission, Christianity. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.