The monsoons have been erratic this year. Parts of India have received too much rain, way too much. The rain has caused flooding and mudslides in the north. Commuters in the big city of Mumbai, with a population of thirteen million people, struggled through flooded streets and closed railways when the city received almost ten inches of rain in one day this year.

Other parts of India, including the states where most of the congregations of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Ministries are located, have received far less than normal rainfall. Both coasts of India have received normal or above normal rainfall, but the interior of the country is parched and dry in many places.

These dramatic pictures graphically tell the story. The Lake Palace in the city of Udaipur draws visitors from around the world because of its beauty. It is normally a shimmering jewel in the middle of Lake Pichola. [slideshow=123]

Things are different this year. Children play the game of cricket and shepherds graze their flocks in the lakebed that is usually covered by ten feet of water.  Because of the lack of water many tourists have cancelled visits to the city and drinking water may soon become a problem from the city of 2.5 million people because their water comes from the lake.

Some reports indicate that this may be the worst drought in 100 years. Some reservoirs are at or near record lows. The rainfall in some parts of the interior of the state of Andhra Pradesh was only 15 percent of normal during the month of July. The papers report that many crops can no longer be saved, even if the rains should return to normal. Not only does the loss of a crop affect the farmers and landowners, thousands upon thousands of laborers who till, plant, weed and harvest also lose their livelihood.  Please pray that the Lord would grant rain to the parched areas of India. The crops, livelihood and drinking water, not to mention the electricity generated by hydroelectric plants, of many villages and cities depend on the rain.

While it is painful to see the hardships that the draught has caused and will cause in the future, it is so very much harder to see the deadly consequences that the spiritual draught causes in India. Ninety-seven percent of the people of India do not believe in Jesus.  Please pray that the Lord would continue to open doors so that the Gospel can be freely preached and taught in India.