Mud-hole swimming – no bathing suits required!
While the U.S. is drought-ridden, some of the local Dinka
folks, commenting on the weather here, are saying, “Oh! the rain – it is too
much!” Isn’t that always the case, too
little in some places and too much in other places?
Several weeks ago, there was a flurry of activity as
planting season began. The Dinka traditionally, are herding people not
farmers; but those living around Rumbek plant groundnuts (peanuts) as a cash
crop. A few industrious folk plant a bit
of maize (field corn) and beans as well.
This year the plowing and planting happened in June. Weeding is not an
enjoyable occupation no matter where you live, so most of the fields you see
today, (in August), look untended. Now, for the most part, folks are waiting,
hoping this year will bring a good harvest.
There are some who are happy with all the rain. These kids are mud-hole swimming. Every few miles, along the side of the road, we
will see two or three huge holes in the earth.
These are made by the road crews who excavate the dirt to build and
maintain the roads.
These holes fill up
during the rains providing opportunities to cool off and entertain the children
– mostly boys.
One Dinka friend said
that as a boy, you can do this until you are 10 or 12 years of age. Many times we will see a herd of goats or a
few cows near the mud-hole where they have been left to graze as their herders
play and swim at the mud-hole – bathing suits are not required – Bathing suit –
what's a bathing suit!
Thank you for praying for God’s sustaining grace in our
lives.
We continue to pray that God would sustain you through the
heat and drought situation you are experiencing in the much of the U.S.
Pray along with us, that God would give us all opportunities
to share His plan of redemption with people who need to hear.