Greetings from the "swamp"... and Happy Fathers' Day!
Mango season is winding down for the juice factory. It was crazy those first few weeks. Truck breakdowns, lack of crates, cellular texting not working properly but we got through it. The mangoes here are delicious and many different varieties which I don't remember from Zambia. In just six weeks, the World Hope Outgrower project (farmers from around the Makeni area) have gathered and sold over 43,000 crates of mangoes, compared to last years' numbers, that's a 300% increase. Many farmers and their families have benefited. We are now involved in a pineapple planting project that will eventually supply the factory. I'm overseeing farms, each 5 acres in size, that will be planting pineapple suckers during the next month. Our program supplies those farms with tools, pineapple suckers and food for each day. They, in turn, supply the labor and their land. Upon harvest they will garner a nice portion of the profit from selling the pineapples to the factory. It's a great program and we are hoping to expand to 200 acres very soon. It's wonderful to see how excited the farmers are and what progress they've made in readying their land.
Rainy season has arrived.... did I say I wanted rain? Well, I got it! We woke up at 3:30 AM this morning to what sounded like rain coming through the roof. It was raining so hard and didn't stop until 7 AM. It's beginning to rain each day, sometimes for a few hours but we hear it will continue to get heavier each day. Supposedly July is the worst, it just rains nonstop. The water finds its' way in every nook and cranny. Each day this week I'm finding more little "holes" in the body of the Jeep. My attire is interesting, where are those stylish womens' rain boots with little designs, I've got big black "rubbers" (as they are called) boots:) We are now experiencing an invasion of frog/toads...they are everywhere! A little big to step on:) but how does one "shoo" them away?
Walter and Diesel are not happy with the rain but seem thrilled to roll in every mud puddle they can find. George is living on the back "porch" now and he's so funny. He cackles when he is hungry and runs up and down the roof cawing (?) like a large bird when he's angry. We had a female monkey show up one day, apparently someone in the area thought we might like to have her. NO, we do not want baby monkeys everywhere! So she went home...she didn't seem to think much of George:) It's funny to see that George now plays with the dogs and when it's raining can be seen cuddled up to Walter or Diesel. Rocky and Bullwinkle have even accepted him, they love to bat their paws at each other.
A pickup truck with a bed is rarely seen empty, if it's not full of supplies, it's full of people. It's next to impossible not to stop when so many are needing rides. My favorite is when my timing is right and I can pick up a bunch of school kids, riding in the back of a truck is a very big deal here and the kids wave and smile at everyone we pass, like they are in a parade. It's heartwarming! I've yet to brave public transportation here, it doesn't seem nearly as stable and reliable as transport in Zambia. Frames on vehicles that go sideways, tires coming off and the chassis dragging on the ground:)
We have a team of architects and engineers here this week. They are part of a group, eMI, Engineering Ministries International based out of Colorado Springs, CO. Nice group of people from all different parts of the US , one from South Africa and another from Ghana. I'm learning the difference between engineers, architects and structural designers. They are drawing up plans for two new factories and our next wave of "dream" structures. Things we would love to have on site when God opens the doors with new funding donors. Eventually... a guest house on premises (similar to the one in Zambia) for teams and out of country guests. We're hoping to use the experience we garnered in Zambia to help put this idea into motion.
This has undoubtedly been the hardest month we've had on the field. Satan has been attacking left and right so, as our pastor says, we must be doing the right things. He tends to ignore those he already "has". It's been so difficult for us and a few days the thought of running was very tempting. But then... we chose to run and dive into the word instead, and He provided just what we needed. Just as God was providing the verses we needed to read we were strengthened knowing your prayers were also covering us. Thank you again.
We are so grateful that you read and enjoy what God is doing in and through us and we wish that your joy may be full (1 John 1:4) and that you may pray for us (Colossians 4:3a); however, our present challenge has us searching for more faithful partners from amongst you. Already, several have increased their giving, while others have made special gifts. Will you join with us and with those who already have committed to financially partnering with us? All you need to do is to go to our donor page https://giving.wesupport.org/gift2/designation.php?GUID=0A797C5B-2B8A-4686-AB22-A52383315A6B&id=29156 and click ‘Donate online’ or you can call World Hope at 1-888-466-4673 and let them know that your donation is going to our fund # 28163. Last, but not least, you can always mail a check to the address lion their website and include our fund number on your check. We will be home in August and if you would like us to visit, please let me know.
Blessings,
David and Mom (that's me now, I have acquired hundreds of additional children/grownups....)
P.S. We are having a big cookout/party for the site workers on Saturday with games, entertainment, food and a big football match between our workers and the juice factory personnel. The workers have been through a lot and First Step wants to thank them for all they do. Please join us in praying that we have a nice day and very little rain!
P.P.S. . David and I keep praying for Gods' direction with a very big need here, none of the workers can afford work boots and many work in flip flops. Their feet are bruised, cut and swollen. Pineapples are not pleasant to deal with and rebar and mortar along with tools and nails are not kind to bare feet. Please pray with us for a solution!
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