In 2018, at the invitation of a local church, my Farming God’s Way team and I traveled 115 miles upriver to Lotumbe, a remote village mission station where the people fish and live off their meager gardens. Our 3-day training culminated in preparing and planting a small demonstration plot incorporating the principles we taught.
Today, four years later, I received a very encouraging video report of the fruitfulness of that mission. The young women farmers’ cooperative (Mothers & Daughters) have been using the principles to grow vegetables. They are very enthusiastic about their increased production and the income from their abundance. I was reminded again that our job is to plant and water, but God brings the growth.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
The following is a summary of the video message:
A women farmer’s cooperative (Mothers & Daughters) in Lotumbe, practices
Farming God’s Way principles in their gardens to successfully raise peanuts,
cowpeas, tomatoes, and taro. Convinced that God’s blanket (mulch) will allow
them to reach their goals. Also raising chaya.
Jean Baptiste sent a bitter-sweet report from Mbandaka. It takes many growing seasons to learn how to cope with the elements and pest invasions. While I am gone, JB has been sending photos and reports of the excellent success this season. He was anticipating a great harvest and an opportunity to generate much income.
However, he just sent disheartening news that someone stole everything the night before they were to harvest. We have been dealing with thievery on a small scale for years, but this time was the worst.
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:14
I exhorted Jean Baptiste not to despair. Our goal has not been just the successful yields but the learning process and the demonstration of God’s faithfulness in farming to all who come to us to learn. On that score, we are making progress.
Ron Weeks