Saturday, August 4, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Farming God's Way at Amazima (http://amazimaministries.blogspot.com)
MAY 31, 2012
Farming God's Way
Earlier this year, Amazima had the opportunity to host a very unique training seminar at our land in Buziika called Farming God's Way.
Although Uganda has seen much urbanization in the past few years, the majority of Ugandans are still subsistence farmers - working tirelessly to provide only what will feed their family. Uganda's two rainy seasons and plentiful sunshine should mean that these families can grow plenty of food to sustain them throughout the year. Unfortunately, poor farming practices and a loss of motivation has left many fields in poor condition, and families are struggling to find enough to eat. Amazima's sponsorship and feedingprograms are doing a great deal to relieve the current crisis, but we are always working towards making a more lasting impact by empowering the people of Uganda to participate in changing their lives and their community.
Farming God's Way (FGW) is not an organization, but a resource to teach improved and sustainable farming methods to local farmers based on Biblical principles.
There are three pillars to the Farming God's Way methodology:
1. Management
Do everything on time
Do everything to a high standard
Do everything with minimal wastage
2. Technology
No plowing
100% mulch covers (referred to as God's Blanket)
Practice crop rotation
3. Biblical
Acknowledge God and God alone
Consider your ways
Understanding God's all-sufficiency
What you sow, you shall reap
Bring tithes and offerings to God
Stake your claim
The final day of training included the planting of a demonstration garden. A ten-by-ten meter plot was laid out prior to the seminar and all the participants were able to practice the skills they had been taught the previous two days. It was a great time of learning, both of new farming techniques and about the Gospel. Many of the students were not regular church attendees and one student was actually a practicing witch doctor!
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| An average Ugandan farmer produces 280 kg of maize (corn) per acre. Utilizing FGW techniques, that same farmer can produce 3,000 kg of maize per acre! |
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| Our garden was planted next to a pathway leading to the next village so that as many people as possible can see the results and become interested in FGW. |
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Amazima staff member, Patrick Ouma, will be following up with the class participants to see how they are doing with the implementation of the training in their own fields.
We sincerely hope and pray that the seeds that were planted - in our garden and in the students' hearts - will grow and flourish!
To learn more about the Farming God's Way resources,
visit their website here.
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| Special thanks to our FGW trainer, Chris Sperling. Without his heart for the farmers of Uganda and his mastery of the local language, the class would not have been able to take place! |
Sunday, April 22, 2012
A day in the life
I woke up early and was out the door by 6:30am. I made my usual stop at Igar which is a petrol station just east of the Nile. I put some dieselin the Isuzu and ran inside for a coffee and a couple muffins. Not quite Tim Horton's but the coffee woke me up and the muffins filled me up. I started my 100km drive on the highway that heads west from Jinja towards Kampala. It is called a highway but it is difficult to get over 60km/hr let alone 80 as there is so much truck traffic with hundreds of big trucks carrying containers and fuel from Mombasa and Eldoret on their way to Kampala or through Kampala on their way to South Sudan, West Uganda eastern Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and even Western Tanzania. Many are overloaded and in rough shape so the going is pretty slow if you get stuck behind one. Given that many of the drivers are on a local drug called mailunji or marijuana and are overtired and rune trucks in pretty rough shape there are a LOT of accidents involving large trucks ( I calculate one truck off the road/accident per trip to Kampala). So I try to balance speed and caution as I head west.
As I near the urban sprawl of Kampala I head North west on a dirt road that I found on Google maps the other week which cuts of a few miles of traffic plugged road as I head to Kira farm just north of Kampala. 17 minutes later I am back on a tarmac road heading north where i will meet another winding paved road that takes me through a rural area just north of Kampala. I enter Gayaza and head north again at the round-about and after a few kilometres if nice tarmac I turn off Zirobwe road onto a bumpy access road which takes me up to the beautiful gate of Kira Farm. It's 8:30 and two hours after leaving home and 100km of driving I am ready to help over 25 students plant theirexperiential gardens that we had prepared a couple weeks ago together. Kira farm is the location of Amigos Worldwide which gives technical training to disadvantaged youth, most of whom have come fr
om the region where Kony was active or were even child soldiers or slaves under him. They are a pleasant group of students on the whole but not without the usual attitude struggles of young people everywhere. Each student is taking a technical course (carpentry, mechanics, tailoring,etc) in addition to being taught Farming God's Way. The idea is that they can go back to their home area and create their own wealth through having self employment and farming the rich land where they are from.
The students are mostly eager to plant their gardens with a few dragging their feet and trying their best to find somewhere on the campus to hide. But they know farming is important and most will have grown up on a farm or near one. Farming to many youth is just a a lot of hard work with little income. With FGW we are trying to change that. Farming definitely is hard work; but we want that hard work to result in higher yields grown on better soil so that farmers can have a sustainable profit! We are teaching them how to take care of their soil so that their soil will take care of them -- and their grandchildren!
We first plant one sma
ll garden together so that each step can be observed carefully. Then, all of the students disperse to their own 6 x 6 meter plots. With each student having their own garden it is very quickly evident who listened and who didn't and wh
o is lazy and who is diligent. Through the simple process of these experiential gardens we will be able to disciple the students through their strengths and weaknesses meanwhile guiding them to learn the basic principles of all farming. The gardens are soon planted and just a few of the slower students are left out in their plots. Mulch is brought in, covering the garden, completing the last step of planting.
After a nice late morning tea break with some of the British staff I am off to a nearby research station to collect improved seed. Most of the staff at Namalonge are friendly and willing to supply me with free samples which I willingly wait for like a boy i
n a candy shop choosing his favourite sweets.
At the end I leave the extensive farm property (which a colonial era golf course) with samples of improved cassava, sweet potato, a plethora of bean varieties and some maize. I am very happy with my treasure and start my 2 1/2 hour journey home thrilled that we have starting stock for our seed bank project.
By the time I get home it is getting dark and I am happy to see my wonderful family -- but it has been a full day and I am happy to be part of such ordinary yet profound work as we train people how to farm and how to depend on God in simple and practical ways. Even the seed we have obtained is part of God's all sufficiency that He will express to the farmer as it reproduces "after it's own kind" for many years to come!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Monday, December 5, 2011
Composting
I teach composting as the key way that ordinary farmers can have the best fertilizer without spending any cash (which they may have in short supply).
The process of composting takes dead and decaying things and turns them into food for the future growth of the plants in our garden.
This is the same spiritually. I was thrilled to see a simply profound post on blog I normally follow. I have been going through one of those times when past failures and sins had been bothering me -- if for no other reason than I wish I hadn't got caught in them. But of course that is just regret and it won't get me far... God has a better plan; he wants to take our sins and troubles and turn them into stepping stones for a more pure, righteous and joyful life in Him.
Please enjoy this lesson on composting. http://goo.gl/SVV4d
Friday, November 11, 2011
An Old Barn
I was recounting my Grandfather's love for creation to a friend recently and I thought of this "old" poem I write a while ago.
Today's entry is in memory of my Grandpa Willems. He loved Creation and he loved the Pslams. One of his particular interests was photographing old barns on the prairies. My Grandfather's name was R.B. Willems.An old barn
First stanza
I’m creaking,
I groan
I’m teetering,
I lean
I’m fading,
I’m brown
But RB comes to see me,
He comes out from town
What does he see in me?
What does he know?
Does he like the way I lean?
Or does he remember what I’ve been?
Does he enjoy the wind whistling through?
Or does he imagine me, once new?
Perhaps, is it the contrast
Of my faded wood against prairie skies?
It could be the prophetic way I’m leaning
To remind him how time flies by
Second stanza
Well, I haven’t seen RB for a while,
I would like to see him smile,
Or wink at me through his lens,
or mutter some prose from David’s pen.
I heard he was creaking and groaning too,
to leave his body and join the Creator who’ll make him new.
A few others pass by my leaning frame,
I wonder – do they know of my fame?
Do they see my prophetic lean?
Or remember what I’ve been?
Do they know man’s future – man’s past?
Do they know things made of wood, hay and stubble don’t last?
Do they know they are unlike me?
Once fallen, once dead - a few more things will be done a few more words said –
not by the wind or a barn like me – not even David will utter these.
The Creator Himself will tell men their lot.
Did they heed the Prophet’s words,
did they hear the Wind speak?
Did they turn from their sins and seek their Creator,
did they hear the Message given so clear?
These flowers and the grass around me – soon they will fade,
Soon I’ll be gone too – I won’t point the way,
But the Words of the Creator forever will stay.
By C.S. Sperling
Upon the death of my grandfather Reuben Benjamin Willems
Thursday, November 10, 2011
An Old Barn
I was recounting my Grandfather's love for creation to a friend recently and I thought of this "old" poem I write a while ago.
Today's entry is in memory of my Grandpa Willems. He loved Creation and he loved the Pslams. One of his particular interests was photographing old barns on the prairies. My Grandfather's name was R.B. Willems.
An old barn
First stanza
I’m creaking,
I groan
I’m teetering,
I lean
I’m fading,
I’m brown
But RB comes to see me,
He comes out from town
What does he see in me?
What does he know?
Does he like the way I lean?
Or does he remember what I’ve been?
Does he enjoy the wind whistling through?
Or does he imagine me, once new?
Perhaps, is it the contrast
Of my faded wood against prairie skies?
It could be the prophetic way I’m leaning
To remind him how time flies by
Second stanza
Well, I haven’t seen RB for a while,
I would like to see him smile,
Or wink at me through his lens,
or mutter some prose from David’s pen.
I heard he was creaking and groaning too,
to leave his body and join the Creator who’ll make him new.
A few others pass by my leaning frame,
I wonder – do they know of my fame?
Do they see my prophetic lean?
Or remember what I’ve been?
Do they know man’s future – man’s past?
Do they know things made of wood, hay and stubble don’t last?
Do they know they are unlike me?
Once fallen, once dead - a few more things will be done a few more words said –
not by the wind or a barn like me – not even David will utter these.
The Creator Himself will tell men their lot.
Did they heed the Prophet’s words,
did they hear the Wind speak?
Did they turn from their sins and seek their Creator,
did they hear the Message given so clear?
These flowers and the grass around me – soon they will fade,
Soon I’ll be gone too – I won’t point the way,
But the Words of the Creator forever will stay.
By C.S. Sperling
Upon the death of my grandfather Reuben Benjamin Willems
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Stewardship Farming
In my teaching lately with Farming God's Way I have been struck with how the idea of stewardship is much closer the Biblical model for business and farming than the mostly capitalist model I was told was biblical in the Christian world view teaching I received when I was younger. In this earlier teaching private ownership was emphasized as the correct way to view our lives and it influenced the treatment of all material goods around us.
In our training material we teach farmers that they need to aim for sustainable profitibility. Profit is not wrong! God is a God of multiplication -- a God of plenty. If there is no profit then there will be no life on earth. But the way in which we earn our living from the land must not rob the land of long term fertility just for gains in the short term -- it must be sustainable year after year; generation upon generation. We must add to our account (the soil) as much if not more than we subtract from the account. Our care for creation is not just a nice modern "green" idea but it is our job and our responsibility. If we do not care for our farmland we will see low yields and losses and hunger as the order of the day!
Of course, the solution is not socialism either, but an understanding that ultimately we own nothing (including our very lives) but are caretakers of all that comes under our influence. We are stewards who will give an account to our Creator.
The question is not whether any of us will be a steward -- the question is: what type of steward will you be?
I was inspired to write this short post when I found this devotional in my inboxthis morning, underlining the shift in my thinking. http://www.icr.org/article/20161/
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Keep on Sowing
My garden is a akin to a mechanic's car -- it's in rough shape because my time is spent teaching other people how to farm. So, now that I have had a bit of time recently, I have been busy planting a few things -- and harvesting some too. It struck me the other day that we were harvesting or about to harvest some nice things from the garden - some strawberries, cucumbers and in a while some broccoli and cauliflower. Now these crops are all the more wonderful to harvest here because they are not common at all! So the thought occurred to me that it we had the privilege of harvesting some tasty fruits from the garden because we had made time to plant and care for what little we could manage.
This is so true in our work as well. I am often a little wary and even discouraged at peoples responses to Farming God's Way. It's not that people aren't excited about it. More often than not people are VERY excited about it! What is disappointing is that this excitement often does not translate into any practical application of the principles... or at least not from what I can see. I understand a little what Jesus felt when He saw people following Him for healings and miracles but few actually becoming His disciples and walking in His ways.
So as I was harvesting a little bit of produce from my garden I was heartened to remember that in the same way if I keep sowing Farming God's Way there will be a harvest of many beautiful changed lives!
Do you feel discouraged too with your work too? Have you seen changes as you persist in continuing to "sow" and continue to be faithful in the work God has called you to?
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Revolution Continues
"Don't plough your land; you are destroying your soil", I tell people who come to our kiosk at the Ugandan national agriculture show.
I wait for their surprised look -- sometimes the new idea doesn't register until I start elaborating on the reasons why turning their soil with a plough or even with a hoe will lead to it's demise.
I explain," By inverting your soil with a plough or hoe you break the soil into small particles which will easily be eroded, compacted by the impact of the heavy tropical rains we receive and clog the pore spaces that are supposed to naturally occur in a fertile soil". I move on to the next point but very quickly someone in the small audience looking at our display says" Wait a minute -- back up! You said that ploughing is BAD? What do you mean??" I gladly continue my explanation which includes pointing out the fertile soils in forests and native grasslands that are unturned and have been producing a bountiful diversity of plant life for thousands of years. It gives me an opportunity to explain and contrast mankind's ways with God's ways in nature -- a natural and logical lead to contrast God's ways with ours; I discuss how, without God, we use, abuse and destroy almost anything for selfish gain yet, as stewards of what God has given us to take care of we should be caring for and protecting all that God has given us. He will ask for an accounting for all we have been given at the end of time.
Currently, with Farming God's Way in Uganda, we have a short timespan during which we can introduce these revolutionary and exciting ideas of minimal tillage with the gospel of the Kingdom of God. I have found that when a new crop is introduced with a growing methodology it becomes a huge success with those who decide to grow that crop. In a similar way I believe we have the same opportunity to introduce this new (actually ancient) way of farming with a methodology which incorporates the idea of trying to imitate what God does in nature and follow what He tells us to do in His Word. We have a chance to bring an agriculture revolution along with a spiritual revolution -- the most exciting prospect in agriculture missions!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
When the Boughs Break
For my Canadian and American friends,
On our respective "Big Days" (July 1 in Canada and July 4 in USA)of celebration of the freedoms and great things we have in our countries we need to realize that we are, and have been for a while, on the brink of disaster. May we turn from our wicked ways and may God heal our land.
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Sunday, June 5, 2011
Our eyes are feasting!
Hello Friends and Family,
I recently had the pleasure of attending the graduation of the 6 studenst at the first Come, Let's Dance (CLD) Vocational Agricultural School Graduation. This was the first class to graduate after finishing their Farming God's Way Course. I have been the Instructor for these great men and have enjoyed my time seeing them grow in their knowledge of the kingdom of God and farming.The day was ideal except for the early morning downpour that mucked up the roads pretty good and put out the fire on the pig-roasting spit -- but hey, which farmer is 'gonna complain about rain, right? The day turned sunny quickly and the stage and tent were set up in the middle of the beautiful fields on the farm. Guests and students enjoyed a wonderful and meaningful ceremony with the beautiful and appropriate backdrop of the lush green crops.These young men are now equipped to bring lasting, meaningful and grass-roots change to Africa. They have been taught how to live out the Kingdom on their land!
I decided to take a few of my model farmers from my region along with me for the graduation ceremony. I knew they would find the farm inspiring and they would make more connections with more enthusiastic farmers. Shortly after arriving I told a couple of "my" farmers that I needed to be busy helping to set up and I wouldn't be able to give them a proper tour right away. One piped up right away " that's OK, our eyes are feasting!". They were so thrilled with their day and I believe it will encourage them in their farms and churches (many of my model farmers are also pastors).
Well, onto the next exciting FGW event! This week I will be helping to facilitate the National FGW workshop held in Kampala annually. We are looking forward to touching base with many excited friends of FGW and to making more connections and train more people in the transformational tool that FGW is.
The following week I will be setting off for South Africa to be a part of the African FGW Extension Discussion workshop in Port Elizabeth. This will be an exciting time to touch base with so many experienced trainers and farmers on the very important topic of Extension. "Extension" is the training and equipping of farmers in their actual use of FGW. It includes teaching these farmers in different contexts, visiting them for follow-up and blessing, encouraging and equipping them on their journey in application of FGW principles and techniques. The FGW team in Africa is such a great family of encouragers and exhorters. I know our time will be rich!
Of course the downside to all of this activity is that I will be away from my wonderful family.
Please keep us all in your prayers as the enemy often tried to bring sickness and difficulty during my absence. We would treasure your prayers during the next two weeks. We want to see our family healthy and blessed even during my absence. Please pray for us all to have good health and that Jane will have the wisdom and energy to lead the family in my absence.
Jane has been away for a number of days overseeing some renovations on a house on the family homestead. Construction here can be pretty slow and of poor quality unless the owner is around to check on the workers. So, I have been mom and dad here at home for a little while so it will be Jane's turn over the next few weeks as I am away.
Please keep is in your prayers as we minister to those around us - whether they be farmers or not! We continue to need wisdom and courage to preach the good news -- in season and out of season!
Thanks everyone for all your care and support which takes so many forms,
Chris for the whole gang!
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