More Than Trees are Falling

February 29, 2008: The BBC wrote an interesting article about the trees that are being felled on Charles De Gaulle Street in N'Djamena, one of the most important streets in the capital city. I have a nostalgic feeling about these trees that we so often did not notice when we would be downtown buying supplies or enjoying breakfast at a café, but whose absence would have spoken loudly. They brought shade and life to an otherwise hot and dry place. But because the rebels were able to hide behind them in the fighting, and may do so again, the Chadian government decided that they needed to be cut down.
In an arid country like Chad, one does not just decide to cut trees down without a reason. They will take decades to grow back, IF all goes well. So, despite their verbal assurances of having dealt a decisive blow to the rebels, the Chadian government has shown by their actions that they expect the rebels to be back soon, because actions show better what's inside than words.
Because of ambition and power, this conflict is cutting down more than innocent trees. Please pray for the innocent and suffering whose only home is the capital city, and for a lasting peace to come to Chad as soon as possible.

Click here to read the original BBC article