Farming God’s Way – Gleanings 1/08

 

                 “What ever you do, do it all for the Glory of God”

                                         1Corinthians 10v31

 

 Well, we have finally stepped out of the boat! 

 

To live in Zimbabwe at this time needs brave financial courage and wisdom, but nevertheless we are going to trust Him with our future.   We have been so indecisive of late, not knowing what the Lord really requires of us and of course, us being too frightened to go out on a limb (where, I guess, the most fruit is!)  Despite numerous very good secular work opportunities, we have decided to serve the Lord full time and seem to have once again “bumbled” our way into God’s purposes!  We "tremble and trust" that we are in His complete will.   We will however, still pursue some “tent making” opportunities whilst trying to be diligent in our calling.

 

As from the beginning of May, I will be reporting for duty at River of Life Westgate daily to stand along side and serve Brian, be his armour bearer, as well as assist Josie, Cath and the whole FGW team, wherever I can.

This is hugely exciting and we would obviously appreciate your prayers and support.

 

Whilst being a part of the ROL team, I am obviously under submission to the eldership at our local church, Gateway to the Nations.  Ken and Norman have been such a blessing in their support for FGW and we are thriving under their leadership. 

I need to thank the NCMI apostolic team for their support of the concepts and principles of FGW. 

Scott and entire New Frontiers team have also shown us outstanding and unconditional support.    This is such a testimony to the possibilities when the church unites in this beautiful way.

 

FGW is certainly the “Gospel with Boots on” which is the entrance point for the healing of our continent and we are excited to be a thread in God’s majestic tapestry.

 

My immediate mandate and objective in the short term is to:

¨      To wholeheartedly serve Brian and the team.

¨      Respond to any calls within the NCMI network.

¨      Trans World Radio - Ensure the swift translation and presentation of the FGW series into as many languages as possible.  Write a drama script for radio as a follow up to the teaching series.  

¨      Co ordinate the incorporation of composting/Vemiculture into an integral part of the FGW programme.

 

 

 

Overview of  2007/08 planting season:

 

 

As we drove around Zimbabwe prior to the rains, we noted with great sadness the rampant burning of God’s Blanket as farmers prepared for the next season.    The authorities seem to actively encourage this practice and they also believe that the solutions to the country’s agricultural woes lie in mechanisation and ploughing!    A huge number of tractors and at least 50 thousand ploughs were dished out, with officials proclaiming that the “day of the badza (hoe) is over” as we prepare for the “mother of all agricultural seasons.”   The season turned out to be one of abundant rains (wettest December on record) and running rivers (brown with ploughed soil unfortunately!), but the rain suddenly dried up in February, which put paid to any late-planted crops.  This once again emphasises the importance of planting “on time” because the early-planted crops were so much better than anything late.  Overall though, this season was a good one climatically.   Frustratingly, political imperatives continue to override the poverty question and unfaithfulness with the land abounds.   When inputs are dished out at a tiny fraction of their real value, making it more lucrative to sell it on rather than apply it to the land, the inevitable result is a complete lack of faithfulness and stewardship.  The bible tells us that “where there is no vision, the people perish” and this lack of knowledge is so depressing to witness.  We will experience the “mother of all famines” this season, despite it being a reasonable rainy season and despite all the “mechanisation” tools that were dished out.   Surely it is plain to for all to see now that the government (World) solutions to hunger and poverty have failed and that we need to look at the Lord’s blueprint for the redemption of our country.

 

 

Teachings/WWG’s – 2007/08 plantings:

 

 

All the Well Watered Gardens, with the exception of one have been outstanding models of God’s love in action.   Seeing peoples hearts turn and embrace the principles and apply them to life are a blessing to behold.   

The gardens are a testimony themselves and we will continue to mentor and model these participants next season, when, through God’s redemptive system, the soil improves and the crops will grow even more fruitful!

 

It is however important that we do not adopt the “shotgun” approach, planting gardens all over with out the correct level of stewardship being left in place and with the team being unable to make appropriate follow ups.

 

We will obviously prayerfully consider ALL requests for site visits, as these are wonderful opportunities to advance the Kingdom.     

 

 

                   

 

 

 

                                              

 

Sharing Vision

 

 

Under the local church, the excitement for the precepts of FGW continues to grow and I have been privileged to have many, many opportunities to share the concepts of FGW and the heart of it for Africa.

Among them:

¨      At Blackfordby Agricultural College I was able to share the technology directly after a lecture on ploughing! The lecturer had the grace not to argue!  I found the students were very receptive, not only to the technology but to the Christian aspects and heart of FGW.

¨      I was Godincidenlty  led to a large Corporate (secular) which deals in small scale agriculture in Zimbabwe and Brian and I were able to teach the technology with a strong Christian flavour.  We note with great joy that all the NGO’s, FAO, Arex and all similar secular

institutions are no longer offended by  Brian’s direct Christian teaching that comes with the technology.

¨      I was inspired by Scott to write (and plagiarise) his short drama about FGW and used members to the GTTN congregation to act this out.  Titus is busy translating it into Shona so that this group of accomplished thespians can take the drama into local township churches.

¨      Whilst on a personal visit to Joburg recently I was privileged to share vision with a group organised by Alan Webster of ICCC.  I was seriously encouraged by the enthusiasm shown here and the united heart for Jesus that was on display.  One group of ladies had been

exposed to FGW through the TWR radio broadcasts  and were eager to act upon their faith.

 

 

TransWorld Radio:

 

The 31 part radio broadcasts continue to be aired on AM (Medium Wave) 1170 Khz at 5.15 in the morning as well as 8.15 pm every day.  This programme is now reaching many, judging by the responses, and it is a priority to get this material translated into as many African languages as possible so as to increase listener ship.  Bridgie faithfully responds to all letters.  This initiative certainly has the Lord’s approval I am sure because He is putting some amazing people in our path as we seek to do the translations.   Josef is busy on the Shona translations and he will within a few days be ready to start presenting the programs alongside Titus and or William.

The Lord brought Gabriel and Grace into our lives.  This special couple are a victim of the Rwandan genocide and have made their way through an amazing set of traumatic and horrific events to Zimbabwe.   (Bridgie is at the moment constructing an email (with their permission) telling their story – It is truly an amazing story of horror and unbelievable trauma, but also reveals God’s hand on their brokenness and of God’s redemptive process and love.)  The folk at River of Life, Eastlea, have beautifully illustrated Jesus’ hands and feet in the way that they took them in and cared for them.  God’s rich tapestry continues to be revealed in this story – Gabriel is fluent in 6 languages and has drenched himself in the heart and teachings of FGW.  He has attacked the translations with great gusto and we will very soon be recording the French and Swahili programs.  The Lord is certainly restoring through His church, with Stan offering accommodation for the couple, and work for Grace as she recovers from the trauma in the beautifully therapeutic and peaceful environment of Resthaven. 

The Lord continues to bring in other faithful servants to us who are willing to be a part of the process of translations, producing and being the other voice for our radio dialogues.

We had a training course at TWR yesterday will all our volunteers and there was genuine excitement and anticipation of what the Lord is going to do through this radio ministry.

 

Champions Gathering 2008:

 

 

This was held on the 3rd to the 7th March 2008 and as usual was a very special time.  The Lord went before us and prepared hearts and testimonies, with a very strong emphasis this time on the centrality of Jesus in all that we do and teach.   There were many new folk with the usual familiar faces also in attendance.  We had wrongly presumed that due to the pending elections, we would have a low key conference with reduced numbers.   When will we learn that He is no respecter of worldly elections!    The next Champions is scheduled for the first week of September and we would obviously love to see as many of you as possible up here to be with us. 

 

Future outreaches

 

We have responded to calls and have so far planned:

¨      Addressing the Baptist pastors conference in Gweru in May

¨      A return trip to Mocuba in Mozambique in June

¨      Share vision in Malawi for a group of NCMI churches (July)

¨      Sharing vision and practical demonstrations at churches in KZN and Nelspruit and Benoni (August)

¨      September will take us to an outreach near Maputo and also attend the TWR conference in JHB.

 

 

And finally…..    It continues to be a real privilege to serve our Lord and stand alongside such incredible men and women of God as endeavour to be effective in extending the Kingdom through “Farming God’s Way.” 

To all those who have been a part of the ministry by coming alongside with support whether financial, logistically or through prayer  – A huge thank you from us both!

Whilst still continuing to “report for duty” and serve wherever needed, we believe that being more involved with the day to day running of FGW, we will be better equipped to serve in a more structured way, dovetailing in to the bigger picture.

 

We hope to keep you all updated, with progress and testimonies going forward and would really appreciate your covering of prayer and encouragement.

 

Blessings

 

Craig & Bridgie.