Farming God's Way

Brett Barnhill of Reclaimed Ministries and volunteer Jesse Carver from Mississippi have spent this week in Zimbabwe to assist us in teaching widows in Mkoba township how to plant their gardens in a way that is based on biblical principles. While “zero tillage” was developed in Texas during years of drought, the idea has been expanded here in Africa. The basic principles of Farming God’s Way are: 1. Plant after the first heavy rain of the rainy season. 2. Plant In a standard/uniform manner.

3. No wastage – no plowing, no burning. Use the grass in the field for mulch to cover the plants and hold in the moisture. This will eventually disintegrate and add to the soil. Holes are dug a specific distance apart along straight rows. Fertilizer, seeds, and water are measured out for each hole.

4. Do your work and reap the harvest with great joy. Take pride in your work. Share what you have learned with others. Use it as a witnessing opportunity to others.

About 30 women participated in the three day workshop. In the morning they were taught the basic principles. In the afternoon the women put what they learned into practice as they prepared an experimental plot on the grounds of Mkoba Baptist Church. The women formed partnership groups based on the neighborhoods in which they lived so they could help one another. This helps build support and encouragement groups for the widows. Carver said he was amazed at how well received he and Barnhill were by the women. “They were respectful, listened, took good notes, they were humble learners and willing to try something new.”

Barnhill noted, “These women are already living out their faith in their community. This is just one more way they can reach out to their neighbors. We have encouraged them to share their seeds and their produce.” Next year Barnhill hopes to return to do a followup training where other important issues such as crop rotation and dealing with diseases and insects will be discussed. Pray for these women that God would take the seeds and fertilizer they have been given to produce an abundant harvest so the widows can take care of themselves and their children, and even have some left over to share with their neighbors. Pray that the women would be faithful to share what they have learned with their neighbors. Pray for their lost neighbors as well, that God’s Holy Spirit will be at work in them to bring about an abundant kingdom harvest.