Phil's ZMS Newsletter - July 2009

World Vision

During May we were involved in helping World Vision with their support of Women Farming Groups in the Chongwe area outside Lusaka. These groups are shown how to utilise the water from nearby streams to grow vegetables for home use and for selling. Ironically it is more difficult during the rainy season because of the very heavy rain and the spread of disease. Therefore growing under polyethene and using irrigation gives far better crops, particularly of tomatoes, and much higher yields. The idea is to teach the women so they can become self sufficient. My work involved the construction of the tunnels and I was helped by six of the lads from OMF, the MacDonald Team! They have helped on several of these constructions and although only in their teens they are very proficient. May was holiday time from school so it was a great opportunity for them to earn some money for themselves. The three tunnels will be planted with tomatoes, onions, peppers, cabbages and other greens. Having plenty of vegetables increases their nutritional intake which is the main way to fight the many diseases they face.

Old MacDonald’s Farm

Back at OMF we’ve been developing on various fronts, mainly in the construction of a purpose built piggery to increase the production of little piggy’s! The new unit has a pen for ‘tata’ (father), two furrowing pens for the two mai (mothers), plus a larger pen for the weaned piglets for growing on. In the dry season the outside pens are fine but in the rainy season they become mud baths, which the pigs enjoy, but not so good for those having to feed them! Tuesday has been doing a great job in the vegetable section and is now producing all the veg to feed the boys. The farm next door is up for sale and we are looking at ways of trying to get this so we can produce more maize to provide enough mealie meal for the whole year.

Washing Machine!

Let me introduce you to Dorothy, she is the wife of Matthew who works on the farm at CC. Yes that’s my weekly washing being taking away for a good old hand wash. Far better than any machine! Being an expert on these sorts of things of course! Ladies, you CAN try this one at home! On your head I mean, not by hand! Below are the Sunday school children from Petauke Reformed Baptist Church which I attend when at CC. We’ve just handed out ‘Miracles of Jesus’ books to each of them.

Road Hazzards

Not your usual road hazard, a pride of lions sitting in the middle of the road. We almost ran over the tail of one of them just to get past. By the way we were in one of the national parks and not on a public road!

Prayer Points

• Pray the women farmer groups supported by World Vision.
• Pray for the renewal of my work permit which runs out on July 7th.
• Thank God for all the donors that enables us to continue developing the various projects under ZMS.

Thank you for your continued support,

Love Phil