Day 8 - Poppies 

"We have to grow this crop to provide for our families,” say the people of Eastern Afghanistan. Cultivating a quarter of an acre of poppies is enough to feed a poor family for an entire year.

 Until recent government enforced bans on cultivation, at least 80% of the people of this region have been making money from poppies. Economics of the region provide few options.  Industry is almost non-existent.  Dried fruit is exported, but not everyone can make a livelihood off of it. A popular "grass-roots" perspective on poppy eradication is that the government should bring in international organizations to build infrastructure and industry.  One leader of a poppy growing region has stated that “If we get a dam built with electricity getting to our homes, providing what we need for irrigation and industry, I guarantee no-one will grow poppies!" In this regard local sentiment is somewhat naïve as to what international governments can do. Security is almost non-existent in the area and trust levels are low. There has been a significant decrease in poppy cultivation in Eastern Afghanistan in the last year.  However, those who have cut back probably have done so under real threat.  How long will their patience last if governments don't provide big infrastructure inputs?

 Pray that: 

• Internal and external support for the Taliban will end, and that security will increase in the area so that infrastructure and industry can grow. 
• Leaders will have wisdom to know how best to invest in projects that would help minimize the temptation to grow poppies
• Through changed hearts Afghans will see the evil in poppies and stop growing them.

2Corinthians 5:14 Since One has died for all of us, we should no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.