I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

So I tell myself, not just telling myself but believing in it too. Seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Seeing his blessings when I am living in this world. Living well ,healthy and prosperous in this world. A happy person.

God has given me the gift of life, living in this moment, like you dear reader. We are to see his goodness now, in this land of the living! This verse reassures you and me that no matter what happens, God promises us goodness.

Today pastor Gaturu after visiting Malawi in the past three weeks gave us a testimony of his experiences there. The church has been supporting the new church there, Church Of God seventh day, not to mention spreading the gospel.

However Pastor Gaturu's testimony mentioned something that shocked all of us. That the level of poverty is so intense that there are people there who feed on rats. Dear reader, my fellow human being, people feeding on rats!

And no it’s not a delicacy, nor by choice but out of necessity. Lacking an alternative. They have nothing to an extent that they gather grass, fill up rat holes so that rats can eat, get full and leave their holes. Then the people around will just get hold of the rat cook and eat it.

Do you get what I am saying? I know some animals are eaten and enjoyed in other countries yes, but here they lack choice .The rats I am sure are even rare there.

Well like I said earlier I, or rather you and I ,shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
They are our fellow human beings. Fighting for survival let alone human dignity.
 
An African nation where the president, Hon. Peter Mutharika declared that there is a national disaster. Trodden by famine and hunger. A landlocked Country in Southeast Africa. Among the smallest in Africa. Where most people live in rural areas, to practice agriculture.

The irony of the last statement is too loud. They depend basically on agriculture but there is drought. No trees, no much green vegetation. A rapidly falling if not fallen economy. Where now the Pastor states that they eat even rats!  

Well sometimes. I do not faithfully contribute to the Malawi mission. Sometimes I do, other times I don't. Today however I will do my best to give, cheerfully and faithfully. Keyword, cheerfully like Overseer Karanja pointed out. Let's join hands and faithfully do it.
In a little way we will spread the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

I am confident of this, our purpose it to spread the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Giving not just to fulfill duty, but to preserve life in Malawi.

By Esther Thami Ngugi.