Stories from the Field

December 2004

Devestation for the Tukulor

From IMB CompassionNet Daily Prayer

Tens of millions of locusts have been devastating northwest and north-central Senegal and southern Mauritania. These insects grow up to 3½ inches long and eat prodigiously. Tukulor farmers living along both banks of the Senegal River Valley that forms the border between Senegal and Mauritania have been especially hard hit. Fields invaded by these pests are stripped bare. Trees covered by so many locusts that only the locusts can be seen are quickly stripped of every leaf. In some places the ground is covered by what seems to be a quivering carpet. When they have completely devoured everything, all together they take off and fly to a new area. Their movement through the sky is like a fast-moving cloud that can be seen for miles. For the Tukulor it is a plague of biblical proportions. For thousands of Tukulor it is too late—they have lost everything; but please pray that this plague can be halted before more devastation is wrought. Pray that the countries of this region will receive the assistance they need to make sure the plague doesn't return with the rains next year. Pray that the suffering of the Tukulor during the coming months can be alleviated by appropriate assistance from the government and international aid agencies.