An interesting Advent reflection written last year by the West Africa Liaison for the Pecusa that we'll be working with:
This time of year in West Africa, countries of the Sahel, enter the harmattan season. The harmattan is the dry time of year, when the skies turn hazy and the air becomes bone dry. The wind originates from the Sahara desert in the north, and as it blows south, it brings with it a fine layer of dust that covers everything in sight. Daytime can be hot, but the night is often cool from the lack of humidity. The harmattan begins in early to mid-December and can last through February or March.
To me, it’s striking how the land in the Sahel that appears to be a desert in the harmattan season can spring to life when the rains begin to fall in May and June. Dusty, sandy earth can produce fields of sorghum and millet, and sometimes even beans, onions, and rice.
The transition of seasons in West Africa evokes for me the images in Isaiah 35, a common lectionary reading in the Advent season:
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
Later in chapter 35, Isaiah continues with this message of hope:
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Although it’s the dry season right now, people are already looking forward to the spring, when rains will begin to fall once again. In the same way, we look expectantly to the future, but know already that God is doing wonderful things among the people and churches of West Africa.
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