End of Rainy Season (Latter Rains)

Now in Lichinga, the rainy season is just about over. During the days, it’s warm (70’s) but a cool air continues to blow. At night, the temperature drops considerably (sometimes in the 50’s). By June, it will be cool all day long. Since the latter rains (rains at the end of the rainy season) have ended, it means that people are now preparing to harvest their crops. Some of their crops, including the main staple of corn grew during the rainy season. The latter rains signal that harvest time is near. It means that crops such as corn (actually, maize-the type grown here) can begin its final stage of drying out before it can be harvested and milled into flour. This low nutrient flour is then boiled in water to make a very thick substance (like mashed potatoes). It’s eaten with vegetables. Rice is imported, and is more expensive. Usually February through March, more than other times, are times of hunger (skipping meals, not being able to eat every day, or simply not having enough food to eat) because people are waiting for their crops to fully mature in their gardens. People can’t always afford to buy the food in the market. See the photo we included with this blog. In the picture are most of the types of vegetables that are available in the market. We eat these all the time with rice, bread or noodles. Many of the packaged foods we buy are not made in Mozambique and must be shipped in from other countries.

Food Photo from left to right:Row 1: Bananas, oranges (green skins), cucumber, sweet potatoes, white potatoes (in front of sweet potatoes), egg plant, onions, carrots, tomatoes, eggs, bell peppers, garlic, white beans, peasRow 2: Rice, powered milk, bread, salt, vinegar, tomato paste, juice mix (like kool-aid), soy sauce, spaghetti, tuna, water purifier (on top of tuna cans), oil, cabbage, sugar, margarine and peanut butter.Not shown: white flour, jelly, bean leaves, avocado, pumpkin leaves, mango.

Spiritually, a harvest time is also going on in Lichinga. For us, the most important thing about harvest time is not what we receive, but it’s what the Father gets to receive through His redemptive work of love in Christ Jesus. The increasing presence of the Holy Spirit is like the latter rains that continue to help us grow and prepare our hearts for the Father’s harvest. Here in Lichinga, when the latter rains fall, we know that there can be no more delay. It is time for all that was sown to be harvested. The Father is looking to reap all that He invested in our lives. Through every season, He wants us, His children, to become more and more like Jesus.

Pray with us that we will not only bring in the harvest of souls, but also the harvest of people that will continue to seek the presence of the Lord here in Lichinga. In His presence, we believe we will see the fruit of people growing more in their relationship with God, people realizing their inheritance in Christ, and our brothers and sisters seeing the work of the Lord coming into full maturity in their lives.

Love,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Heartsforharvest@yahoo.com