You Didn’t Bring Rice?!

“So… you just came? Without bringing any rice. You just came.” There was a clear note of disappointment and unbelief in her voice. I didn’t really know how to respond. Did she actually expect us to bring a 25kg bag of rice with us from America?

Welcoming committee inside the airport

We have seen our arrival back to the islands be met with some disappointment before. Not that people aren’t excited to see us. We always get very warm welcomes back. But there are definitely some of our island friends and contacts who are also very excited by what kinds of gifts we might be bringing back for them. So usually any disappointment comes because they were secretly hoping for expensive electronics or jewelry while we come bearing chocolate and little knick-knacks.

But disappointment because we didn’t bring rice?! That’s a new one. Usually the islands have tons of rice. Most homes have big sacks and there are whole storehouses filled with them. 

This disappointment comes from a true crisis on the islands. One that we took for granted. We had heard about the rice shortage as we were leaving the US, but the islands often have shortages. Usually shortages last for a few weeks, but then relief comes and things go back to normal. But this shortage has continued. Relief hasn’t come and people are beginning to suffer.

Welcoming committee outside airport

Clove Island has been hit hardest so far. They ran out of rice first. First the big bags of cheaper rice were gone, then the non-subsidized imports (basmati and jasmine). First the shops were just empty, now lots of kitchens are devoid of rice. It happened on Clove first, but now it’s all the islands. When we got to the big island, their shops were just running out.

It’s not like there is nothing to eat, but rice is the main staple.  Where we say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” a true dynamic translation for the islands would be “give us this day our daily bowl of rice.”  With rice gone, the other grain sources are being hit hard by the increased demand. There is now no flour for sale. Thankfully bakeries are still making bread, but less than normal, and not enough to feed the island. Pasta is getting harder to find. Other starches (cassava, green bananas, etc) have often doubled in price. What are poorer people supposed to eat? Some of our poorer friends look thinner.

Even not-so-poor people are feeling it. They are used to rice. One island friend told us that you can’t feel full and satisfied without eating rice. Several mothers have said their kids are complaining about being hungry. One tells her kids to drink water. Another tells her daughter to just close her eyes and go to sleep, then she’ll feel full.

Meanwhile rumors abound— some rice might come today or tomorrow? But who will get the rice if it comes…whoever can push their way to the front in a mob of people? Or whoever has money and connections? So far, Clove Islanders are not optimistic that relief is on its way. They’ll believe in relief when they have a sack of rice in their kitchen and full, satisfied bellies again. “Give us this day our daily bowl of rice” takes on a whole new meaning when there is no rice to be found.  But most islanders are not familiar with that phrase—they may not even know to ask.  So we ask on their behalf, and help where we can, and trust that He is faithful and will have mercy.

Welcoming committee at our house

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We made it safely to Clove Island, as well as our bags (even the ones that came by boat)! Thanks for praying! Our daughter made it through her first week of boarding school only slightly overwhelmed with the schedule and homework! And she seems to have made some friends and not too homesick so far. We are excited for the days ahead for her.  Our boys finished their first day of homeschool.  It didn’t go perfectly smooth, but it wasn’t a big deal either, so we can perceive good days ahead there too. Our island sister has had some good, honest interactions with her teen daughters— praying for more good communication and for these young women to find their way.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our dear island brother’s wife became extremely sick less than two weeks ago. This evening (Monday) she died.  The two of them had traveled to mainland Africa earlier this week to seek medical help. They have 4 young children. Please pray for this dear family. Pray for our brother as he grieves and deals with the logistics of sending his wife’s body back to the islands for burial. May light shine in the darkness. Pray for rice to come back to the islands and for the needy and truly hungry to receive it first. Multiple shipments would need to come to truly bring relief to everyone. Pray for us as we have stepped into our new leadership role supporting all the island teams— may God in His grace help us to balance well and to communicate well.