The harvest truly is plentiful, but the trucks are few.

Just as our Lord noted the shortage of missionary laborers for the harvest field of the world, so Kandi’s cotton farmers feel the need for trucks to take their crops to market. Though this analogy may not be the best, the agricultural situation in Kandi strongly echoes the scene described in Matthew 9:37. Right now, harvested cotton is piled up all over Kandi waiting for trucks to deliver it to buyers.
Kandi is mainly an agricultural center, and the major product is cotton. Though there are high-quality iron deposits in the area, like many towns in northern Benin, cotton is still considered “white gold.”

Cotton is one of the world’s leading agricultural crops, abundant and economical to produce. The plant grows from four to six feet tall in six to seven months. Here in Kandi, it is planted in June and July and harvested in December and January.

Because more than 70 percent of Kandi’s population depends on cotton for a livelihood, the beginning of harvest each year is the beginning of living. There is joy in every home and money in every hand. Small businesses start prospering, and life becomes pleasurable.

The only problem is that this boon does not come to the farmers immediately after their laborious harvest. Because of the scarceness of trucks, the farmers may have to wait months to deliver their cotton bales and receive payment. The consequence is the same as in Bible times—the harvest is in danger of spoiling.

Most farmers arrange with truck owners to come and pick up their harvest. Some of the more prosperous farmers have bought their own trucks, but there is still not enough room to carry an entire crop at once. As good Muslims, their last hope is to pray that Allah sends the needed trucks at the right time. Then they wait.

This was also our Lord’s counsel to us: Let us plead with the Lord of the harvest to care for His own harvest and send out His own men. We also go through a similar waiting experience. But our presence in Kandi is a sign that our Lord is answering our prayers. May many a true heart be moved by the question, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” and answer, “Here am I! Send me.”

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