Harvest

A few weeks ago, I spent a wonderful weekend away in Wales. The weather was glorious and, driving home through the beautiful countryside of Brecon, Hereford and Worcester, evidence of harvesting was everywhere. Harvest is the time in our church calendar when we make a conscious effort to thank God for his wonderful generosity in providing us with everything that we need to sustain our lives. In this country we have abundance beyond measure and need never worry about crop failure, drought or famine. The same is not true for some parts of the world where hunger is a constant worry.

I’ve just read an amazing account about a dalit (untouchable) woman named Chandramma Moligeri. She was struggling to exist on the margin’s of society until Christian Aid’s partner, DDS, stepped in to help her. DDS helped Chandramma and her women’s group to clear an area of drought-prone wasteland. Slowly, using traditional methods, they restored it to life and over time have produced bumper harvests. DSS now work with 5000 women in total. Rather than keep all the excess from the harvest for themselves, these women have done something amazing. They have shared their good fortune and helped 50,000 of the poorest people in their communities!

Similarly, Tearfund and its partners work tirelessly to help the poor of the world. The emphasis at the moment is on providing clean water, hygiene awareness and decent sanitation to prevent diseases like cholera and dysentery. Let us be thankful for the unlimited access to clean water and decent sanitation that we enjoy.

These and other Christian charities demonstrate the harvest of the spirit which changes people’s lives for ever. They provide hope, health, security, independence and a future free from fear. Thank God for this harvest of good people who work so hard to improve the lives of others, and thank you if you have ever given money or time to support such charities.

God bless, Jackie