CC Farm

During September we were busy with further developments to the farm. We completed the construction of two polythene tunnels for improved vegetable growing during the rainy season. Out in the fields there was much preparation work to be done. Holes were dug over five hectares for the maize production.

Then manure and lime needed to be added. Each hectare has 44,000 holes so not an insignificant amount of work and it was all done by hand, and Praise God, completed before the end of October. Now we are ready for the rains. As we know God sends the rain and therefore He sets the time for planting each year’s crops. FGW teaches that we must be ready for that date so that we will be faithful with this precious talent of water that comes from above.

When cleaning out the shed we found an old dish washer brush. So I told Shame (that’s really his name), who looks after the pigs, that after feeding he should clean their teeth! So off he went and attempted to do so but found it difficult so he turned seriously to Bilison and said ‘I think we should start when they are small so they get used to it’! Bilison is still recovering from the pain of laughing-one of our lighter moments!

CC Graduation

This year was the 7^th Graduation at Covenant College which was held on Friday October 2^nd. Eight more students graduated having completed their three years of study at the College. They received either a certificate or diploma in Theology and Pastoral studies. They also received a certificate to show they had been trained in ‘Farming God’s Way’ and other aspects of conservation farming.

The ceremony was as usual accompanied by beautiful singing and dancing from local church choirs and those who came from the graduating students churches.

Old MacDonald’s Farm

Seen below are some of the boys relaxing during our Independence party. However its actually a tense time of the year as many of them are sitting important school exams. One girl Edna is sitting her grade 12 exams. 4 boys are studying to sit their grade 9 exams and 3 boys and Memo sat their grade 7 exams at the end of October. The others have end of term tests so these and exams rate highly when it comes to prayer time in the evening when asked ‘what shall we pray for today’. Two other boys are presently being home schooled and at the same time are proving their worth on the farm. Clifford (left) has taken on looking after the chickens and rabbits and Joseph (right) the 23 pigs in the piggery. Both have taken on these roles with enthusiasm which is encouraging. Along with Tuesday, the farm manager, they were rewarded with new overalls and gum boots. They look pleased in their new ‘uniforms’!

Independence Day

On October 24^th Zambia celebrated its 45^th Anniversary of Independence. We had a roast hog party with everyone at OMF using one of the pigs from the farm. As the boys helped with the six hour cooking process of the whole pig, the salvia dripping from their mouths was equal to the fat dripping from the pig!  It was eaten down to the bone.

Prayer Points

• Pray for the graduating students as they go out to apply what they have learnt.
• Pray for the boys and girls at OMF as they sit important exams.
• Pray for the rains that they will soon come and that it will be a good rain season.

Thank you for your continued support.

Love Phil

Pastor Training

The end of July and first part of August was full of Pastor Training conferences. Three in all, firstly at Covenant College we held our annual conference. The new hall was just about completed and we were able to hold the meeting in this building. Heinrich Zwemstra took most of the teaching under the heading of ‘The Light of the World’ and I was able to teach FGW and show that our fields should also be a witness of our faith. Then Pastor Peter Seccombe arrived from the UK and we headed first to Chipata for a week’s PTI conference, and then back to Lusaka and onto Solwezi in the North Western province for the second conference. You can learn more about the work of PTI from their website (www.pastor-training.org)

Matthew Sakala

Unfortunately the month was overshadowed when on Sunday August 23^rd our colleague, brother and friend Matthew Sakala passed away. Matthew worked faithfully alongside Bilison on the farm at Covenant College for the past four years. He was specifically responsible for the larger animals and the vegetable garden. He learnt quickly and was diligent in all that he did and will be difficult to replace. He is seen here on my right during one of our FGW teaching sessions. We will miss him a lot and at the moment we are trying to come to terms with this shock. The funeral was held on Tuesday 25^th in his home village some 50kms away from Covenant College. He leaves behind his wife Dorothy and five children.

Bernie and Joyce

During the conference in Solwezi I took the opportunity to travel further north to Ikelenge. You can look on the map to find this place, very close to the Angola and Congo borders. Here Bernie a 73 year old from the UK has settled with his wife Joyce who is from the village.  Bernie came out to Zambia from the UK a few years ago on a mission trip and ended up meeting Joyce and marrying her. They have built a small orphan village where they now look after 30 local children that have lost their parents. Being 1000kms from Lusaka it is way out but it is a beautiful area surrounded by the Kalene Hills.  I met Bernie and Joyce first at the McDonalds where all stray missionaries seem to end up!  However I’ve not yet plucked up the courage to do what he has done!!!

Zambezi Source

Whilst in Ikelenge I went to the source of the great Zambezi river which later flows over Victoria Falls. If you can’t see the water don’t worry, I couldn’t either and I was there!

Prayer Points

• Pray that all the Pastors will faithfully preach what they have been taught.
• Pray for Matthew's family, especially the children who are now added to the fatherless of the nation.
• Pray that we will recover from the loss of Matthew and that we will soon gain the strength and ,motivation to continue.

Thank you for your continued support.

Love Phil