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It is estimated that the extensive floods in Africa have now destroyed the homes of 650,000 people, with twice that number terribly affected by the loss of crops and livestock. Mile upon mile of low-lying pasture land has been submerged, while tens of thousands of acres of staple crops like cassava, millet and groundnuts have been waterlogged. There are impassable roads right across central Africa, overflowing rivers, stranded cattle and devastated bridges, with villages cut off and houses and roads swept away.

All caused by some of the heaviest rains in living memory, that have hit a great swath of Africa from the Sahel to the horn. According to the UN, 18 of the poorest and normally driest countries in Africa, from Senegal, Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso in the west, to Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia in the east, have been seriously hit by months of torrential rains which, weather forecasters say, will continue in places for many more weeks.

What is the cause?
While many believe that climate change is ultimately to blame for these unusual and extreme weather conditions, governments in the region have also been blamed for inadequate disaster planning, as the heavy rains started months ago. Thousands of people in the region are now without food and medical support, with little prospect of help arriving before the death toll rises even further. The floods have led to nearly double the usual number of malaria and diarrhoea cases in Uganda alone, as a result of springs, wells and boreholes being contaminated as latrines have overflowed. Added to which, the stagnant water is now a breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

So, yet another natural disaster hits the headlines, affecting the lives and futures of many thousands of innocent people, causing some to ask again “Why does God let it happen?” Others try to put all the blame on national and regional governments. Although the Bible tells us that even the winds and the waves are in God’s control, it also says that He has given us all ‘free will’ to manage our own affairs.

Of course it is only reasonable to ask whether any disasters might have been avoided or their effects reduced by better government planning. For example, in some countries – such as the UK – building on ‘river flood plains’ in the past has now made many homes vulnerable to flooding. But in other countries – such as many parts of Africa – such controls do not exist. And wherever you live, the absence of adequate government plans and resources to deal with such disasters when they happen makes their impact far worse.

Are more disasters inevitable?
If current predictions are correct, naturally occurring climate change will inevitably make such disasters more likely and more severe in the future, affecting millions more people worldwide. Limiting the growth in the scale and frequency of natural disasters is beyond human control.

Fortunately, the Bible tells us that the future will be far better for the world than the rising number and extent of these natural disasters implies. Although it does predict a time when many people will have every reason to fear what the immediate future holds for themselves and their families, it also tells us to expect this to happen just before the return of Jesus Christ – as he promised 2000 years ago. Upon his return, the Bible promises a government with all the wisdom and power necessary to make the earth a very fit place to live once again, as safe and beautiful as it was “in the beginning” when God created it.

That hope of a better future is open to all, not only those alive when Christ returns. The Bible’s promise of resurrection from the dead applies to those in every age, including our own. For those who put their hope and trust in the promises God has given us in the Bible, but who die before Christ comes back, they too will have a place in his future Kingdom here on earth.

Climate change is just one of many things that means that nobody’s future is certain – except for those who have been baptized into the hope of salvation. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross 2000 years ago is the basis of the 'gospel' message in the Bible - the 'good news' about the coming Kingdom of God.

Act now – be baptized – and share this wonderful hope for a safe and secure future!!