More transformation is happening among farmers and community beneficiaries. We are moving forward to reach many new farmers, to teach them and encourage them to adopt Farming God’s Way (FGW) as a means help them in crop production as well as transform lives through selling off farm produce to buy basic needs like, clothing, other non-direct farm food.
In addition to physical transformation we encourage spiritual transformation through Discovery Bible Studies organized groups called GLGs (God Love Groups). It is an indispensable tool that helps farmers to come together for sharing God’s Word, sharing love, as well as help and support each other.
For the 3rd Quarter of 2017, we have been able to train 196 farmers in different locations including: 60 farmers in Kabarondo, 70 farmers in Rweru, 40 farmers in Mbyo, 8 farmers in Kanzenze and 18 farmers in Gahanga.
We are excited that even the youth are now more interested because FGW is a way of farming that maintains and enriches the soil to make it more productive. This can become a business opportunity for the coming generation instead of having to move to urban centers to search for work. Their parents are getting old are not able to work in a farm. These youth will now be able to learn more about what God has revealed in farming and will be witnesses of joy, sustainable food production as well as stewards of God ‘s creation to the other farmers as they are stronger to move fast and far.
Serving community through provision of clean water is also an important measure to help people in desperate situations. So we try to share love with them and let them test and feel love and the goodness of God through drinking and clean water in their daily lives.
We are so impressed by this harvest season! It is the first time to harvest 600kg of maize (corn)! That makes us feel joyful because of what God has put in our hands!
Usually, our maize production is in the range of one to three bags which is between 100 to 250 kg from an even bigger piece of land than this. But with FGW and working in groups (GLGs) it helped us to focus on the work and reduce gossiping. To measure our effort, we found that it’s better to work in groups rather than individually. We have distributed tasks and also reminded individuals of their need for food. We can’t forget to thank God who blessed our hand’s work, if it didn’t rain, we would totally fail. Our joy will be full once each of our member has implemented at his/her own farm but thanks to some of them who have tried and succeed. Blessing to HF, PFR and ATN technicians who gave their moral support, physical presence, and spiritual gifts to reach this huge production.
~ Article written by Jean Pierre Nzamutashya ~
ATN-Rwanda Community Development Coordinator
