Phil's ZMS Newsletter - March 2010

Farming God's Way

On returning to Zambia early Feb it was straight into visiting the fields of those who started to practice FGW last year. It’s the most rewarding part, seeing the result of the hard work we asked them to do according to the FGW method and then to see their smiles as they stand next to their crops and hold the large maize cobs.

Pastor Bernard Sakala runs Flying Angels School in a poor area of Lusaka and the children all helped in the school field.

Charkes Mwanza also took up FGW last year after inviting me to teach his church members. He is a graduate of Covenant College (CC) and now Pastors the Reformed Baptist Church in Nyimba. His maize looks excellent and he will be persuading his farm neighbours to take up FGW this year.

Another area I visit regular is Chiperamba, 20 kms outside Chipata. This is where Ntimba Ngulube, another CC graduate, is the Pastor of the RB Church. Last year he and his members planted various FGW trials on their church plot right alongside their church. This was a great demonstration of their practical faith in their Saviour and a reminder every week of His faithfulness to those that trust in Him. We hope to encourage this strategy of planting trials and demo plots alongside other churches. 

Covenant College Farm Open Day

On Friday 19^th we held our Farm Open Day. Over 150 people came, mostly farmers, from throughout the district. Encouragingly two District Agricultural Co-Ordinators (DACO’s) came along as well. One from Petauke and the other from the next District, Katete. These men are the Head’s of the Districts Agriculture and both were enthusiastic for FGW. Below Bilison is extolling the virtures of manure and compost pits. Not the most pleasant place to stop and view but a very important part of conservation farming and in overcoming the escalating price of fertiliser. Then we moved onto the maize trial fields where the benefits of FGW were shown.

Covenant College Farm Workshop

Building of the new workshop is well on the way. It will comprise two large rooms, one for carpentry and one for welding/metal work. We aim to rent these out to a local craftsmen to provide services to the local community and to the College. In time we hope that this facility will also provide training in these trades for the students of Covenant College. The tools to equip the workshops are being sent out from the UK by Tools with a Mission. www.twam.co.uk

Off to School!

This is Lydia Mwanza, the youngest daughter of Bilison the farm manager at CC. Last year she started going to the nearby pre-school called Kuunika. This school is being supported by the Christian Education Ministry of CC Zambia Trust. Marjanne Hendrikson the Ministry Leader for CEM has targeted this school for special help to set up a Christian pre-school as a model for others to follow. She spends each Monday showing the teachers how to run a pre-school and prepare the children for infant school.

Prayer Points

• Praise God for those that have faithfully taken up FGW and that they will continue.
• Pray that even more hearts will be moved by the Spirit to follow FGW.
• Pray for the children of Kuunika pre-school that their tender hearts will be affected by the simple Gospel message they hear at school.

Thank you for your continued support,

Love Phil