Blog: Max Dawson
January 18, 2016
Dear Brethren,
I have had a few brethren who have asked me to give an update on the drought and food situation. I stated in my last report that if we did not receive the rain by November we would be in trouble. Unfortunately, we are now near the end of January and still our seasonal rainfall has not come. Zimbabwe did receive some rain in early December and the brethren and the people in the village all went out and prepared and planted their maize crops only to have them all die and fail since they have had no substantial follow up rains since. Botswana has had no substantial rain; brethren there too have tried to plant with no success. Even here in South Africa they say this has been the worst drought in over 26 years and we are importing over 11 thousand tons of maize.
So what does this all mean to our brethren? Well, this means they will miss any chance of a crop this season and will have to wait and try to survive another year without any consistent food. 90% of people living out in the villages of Africa are subsistence farmers who work and plant, then grow their small field of either maize, wheat or sorghum. When the rains fail so does their crop.
The shortage of maize makes availability difficult, and prices go up since the demand is so high. As stated in my last reports the brethren have been so blessed by all the love and charity shown by you brethren over in the USA. I also have said in my past reports that we would need to help these brethren with food at least until the end of March this year, and that was all taken care of till that time from you loving brethren. But that has all changed now that the rain did not come as expected and crops have failed. The need is much greater now and there will be a need to feed our brethren from April until next harvest .
I know it may be hard for some to imagine a person starving in these modern times, but brethren it happens and is happening. It is very heartbreaking for me to witness and to work in these areas, and I always encourage anyone who would like to come over and see firsthand so it can be appreciated in its true form. Also on the opposite side of the coin it is an honour and humbling experience to see the joy and appreciation of our brethren when they do receive the help and charity from you, and that too I encourage you to experience.
Well, thank you all once again for your help in the past, and I trust and pray that you will be able to help in this tough year going forward. Please feel free to ask me if you need any other information on the need here in Africa.
In Him,
Warren Scholtz
A FINAL WORD
It is just six weeks from tomorrow, on March 1, that three of us from Dowlen Road will travel to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Ulysses Buckley, one of our shepherds, will accompany Terry Matthews and me on this year’s trip.
Generous brethren–some local and some from other congregations–have already put funds in our hands to take to Africa for drought relief. While those kind brethren are to be commended, and their gifts will certainly be of benefit, it appears that the need is going to be greater than ever for most of this year. The Dowlen Road church has always risen to the occasion when special needs have presented themselves.
We have already met the needs of these brethren for the next two months. But, after that, we will have to respond in a greater way. I have said it before and will say it again: There are Christians and their families in Africa who are alive today because of your generous gifts.
If anyone would like to contact Warren Scholtz directly, I have provided his email address. It is mwmabalabala@mweb.co.za.
Blessings to you,
–Max