Spring Update: New training farm and trip to Uganda and Rwanda

 

New training farm and trip to Uganda and Rwanda

Good afternoon friends and family! We're excited to let you know about some new and exciting things that are happening with our work under Equip Canada. Before I continue though, I want to say how great it was to see many of you in Saskatchewan at various speaking engagements and in Abbotsford at our dessert night in early May! It's always nice to see you, our partners, face to face! We love you and thank God for the various roles you all play, not only in our ministry but also in our lives! Back in April, I was contacted by a friend who wanted to know if I was interested in a couple of acres of land for farming and community gardening here in Abbotsford - rent free! After thinking it through we jumped at the offer and sensed God's blessing on the concept as another friend quickly offered to give us a "tiny home" office to put on the land. I got to work prepping the land in early May, once I was back from my Saskatchewan speaking trip at the end of April.

Jorge (from Nicaragua) and Michelle (co-founder of Amparo) helping to put in a garden at our new training farm.

It worked out so well to have this piece of land under foot by early June as I had a team going to Nicaragua coming for training -- how great to have our own place to showcase and train people in Farming God's Way. The group is part of an organization called Amparo and is looking at Kingdom transformation of a village through careful and intentional work, focusing on education and a couple of strategic projects. It's wonderful to work with new friends on the same glorious mission! The team included two Nicaraguans so I know the impact was very direct! I will be working on getting about half of the land into cropping production -- all of it is planted at the moment but I need more of "God's blanket" (mulch) to cover the land properly! We have a demonstration and learning area and then a larger area where we have dill, potatoes, pumpkins, squash and dahlias and a little sweet corn and some "pearl" corn (multicoloured). If you'd like to see first hand how Farming God's Way looks in the field, now is your chance. We're happy to host you! In fact, we'll try to plan a grand opening in the fall when there is some corn and potatoes to roast! Keep your eyes open for an invite towards the end of summer!

The other exciting news we have is that Jane and I are planning a 3-week trip this summer to check on work and family in Uganda and Rwanda. It will be great to see our boys and I'm especially looking forward to reconnecting with Peter and Venuste in Rwanda! They have been doing such a good job of following up with farmers and continuing on the journey of growing as trainers! The above photo is of the compost training that Peter and Venuste ran at ATN. I have received many great encouraging updates of increased yields and improved lives at home! Our farmers are a shining light in their communities! Forgiveness and reconciliation play such a big role in Rwanda as farmers move intentionally towards seeing God's shalom in their families and on their land! The spiritual fruit is the best to harvest! It was clear to see, when I visited Rwanda last, that "our" farmers were growing in love and trust and were gaining their God-given dignity as farmers! Below is one of the farmer's bean fields -- what a beautiful crop! Bottom -- the joy of living God's way -- restored joy through learning Farming God's Way!

Prayer points - we would continue to value your prayers and support as our ministry grows both here in Canada and in Africa. Please pray for Chris to be able to make good connections with various Bible schools and missions in Canada and the USA so that we can start a Farming God's Way internship program next spring here in Abbotsford. The proposed concept is to train people here with skills and then send them overseas to our partners to use Farming God's Way as an outreach tool. Please pray for our trip to Africa: Pray for safety and health and for really good connections with key people who can continue reaching their communities through Farming God's Way Pray for fruit -- we want to see many come to Christ and to equip believers for a closer walk with Jesus! Pray for finances -- flying in the summer is expensive (but Jane's only option) and we also need additional finances to set up our demo farm and office here in Abbotsford. Chris is also hoping to be full-time with Equip by next year so this needs more monthly supporters to join our team! For more info or to donate just go to our website: sperlingsinafrica Thanks again for all your love, prayers and support! Chris and Jane and kiddos!