This week we have bought and distributed fertiliser and cabbage seed for the short term project, which will enable each of the pastors we’ve been working with to support themselves and the "Life" discipleship programme as it goes forward. Fertiliser is very heavy, and after carrying a lot of it this week, we're all quite tired, and there is still no end to the hot weather, as the country awaits the start of the proper rainy season, as apposed to the odd thunder storm which has been it so far this month.
Photo: Vincent and Ponde carry the heavy (50kg) fertiliser bags
Photo: Packing the bags into the car.
Not only did we get all of the fertiliser and seed, we also had to distribute it to them, which took some time, but it was also good to go to their homes and meet their families. Each showed us their houses and gave a tour, extremely short though this was, with only 3 or 4 rooms at most, and all very compact. Children sleep often 4 to a room, and some often dont have a bedroom, but just sleep in the main sitting room. The larger tour however happened, when we were shown their land, which is extensive. It's here that they try to support themselves by growing all sorts of different crops. This is how rural Zambia lives. It's a sustainable existance, where every day is hardwork. Joel showed us his land, where as well as trying to grow crops, he also has tried to rear fish in a dug out pond, which takes water from a nearby river, when the rainy season starts. However, he explained that monitor lizzards ate many of the fish last year, so he is hoping that a tall fence will stop this. I wasnt sure if this would help though, as I'm sure they can climb, but it may deter some preditors. He also keeps goats and pigs. We were introduced to Joel's brother who is a carpenter, blacksmith, and allround craftsman. He showed us how he makes wooden cups, egg cups and many other high quality items using lathes and other crafting machines powered by riding a bicycle. Genius!
Photo: Ranger Selelah with 2 of his 12 children (he has 4 sets of twins!)
Photo: Joel Mwanza with his wife Catherine and his children
Photo: Joel talks with his brother surrounded by goats
We also had the chance to take some maize seed to Kepeshi school, as they look to start an agricultural project for the community, which will fund the school over the coming years. The head teacher Alice was delighted to see the seed arrive, and said the local men in the village will continue to work on the land next week, and plant the seeds in the coming weeks in time for the rains.
We also visited a couple of friends Moses and Sunday, who together with their families are busy getting ready for the rains, and preparing their land for planting.
Tomorrow (sunday), marks my final week in Zambia as we head to a rural village called Sekela, where we'll be putting on a conference for rural leaders and Jon will explain the life discipleship programme. There will also be a number of practical workshops and we hope the 4 day conference will be a real encouragement to the people. We'll also have a number of people attending from Chingola, who felt that they may be called to rural ministry, and it will be a good chance for them to visit the rural communities, which many rarely get to see. So please pray this conference goes well, and people get a lot out of it, and are encouraged greatly. We hope that like the cabbage and maize seeds that will be planted, the conference will also plant many seeds in people which will help them and their communities to grow.
Next time on the blog.... News from the conference and reaction to the Presidential election results.
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