Meitaki maata our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Awakened in the early hours of Friday, November 24, to a most extraordinary sound of music so nice, cool, silent and gentle but lo, it was only raindrops falling.

How so refreshing, moisturising and soothing to an already turn parched and brown coloured lawn. Wondered who might be out on the road at that time of the night, sure our newspaper delivery people, those off from work, parties, on errands and perhaps going places or just heading home, I wondered if any joined others in saying, thank you Lord. Thanks to our meteorological people, water works and all others in authority issuing out warnings of an Al Nino, drought and dry spell summer months ahead, with warnings for all to conserve and save water.

Like most of us, that’s what they went to school for, to learn and specialise in the field that they are trained to know how best to deliver.

Help us Lord, to respect, honour and appreciate all fields of knowledge and expertise. Those trained to be doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, politicians, scientists, accountants, planters, fishermen and so forth. Some may not be any of the above yet have hearts and faith in believing in the Bible, God’s Word that declares, “All good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Remind us also that all whatever gifts, talents and skills we may have, is all from you and to be utilised for the good and benefit of all of humanity. Indeed, you are a God who has no respect of persons but loves and cares for all, that ultimately none should perish but all come to repentance in Jesus Christ. “For you make the sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain on both the just and the unjust” (Mathew 5: 45).

Please give us great awareness and realisation that there are people on each of our islands already without water and living in fear of what might happen tomorrow. Thanks to government for the subsidies of water pumps and tanks on each of our islands and in the homes. Both rain, ground or even sea water, lies in your divine prerogative, just teach us knowledge and wisdom how to get them, catch them, conserve and use them not wastefully but sensibly and wisely. Thank you for the little that we have received, save the little we have as you have always promised to give more when we care and love more, in Jesus Christ’s Name we adore you, Amene, Meitaki maata!

Bishop Tutai Pere