Two weeks of training and educating Maasai widows in the bush!

As we pray about and process everything that took place during Josh's time in Tanzania, we can't help but be reminded about God's faithfulness over the years and how His timing is always perfect. God is such a good Father who loves and cares for his children. So many exciting and unexpected things happened during this past trip to Tanzania, and we look forward to sharing with you over the next several newsletters. As we mentioned before, there is too much to share within one newsletter alone.  Weeks before Josh's departure to Tanzania, he was attacked with many thoughts of fear about his travels for no apparent reason up until the time he landed in Tanzania. We knew these thoughts were not from the Lord and that we were on the right track. This trip is only the next step for God's ultimate plan for Farm Hope Thrive, us and the people of Tanzania.  The first week was a time of settling back in, meeting with the Tanzanian attorney and preparing for two weeks of intense travel and training in the bush of Northern Tanzania. We were blessed with our first volunteer from New Zealand named Josh Brown. Josh contacted us last year requesting to volunteer with us for a week in Tanzania. We informed him of a possible trip in September, in faith he made his plans and the Lord orchestrated it all out perfectly. This was his first time in Tanzania and loved every bit of it. Because we were out in the bush training, Josh was able to receive training, learn more about our mission first hand and the people we love and work with. His life was changed forever in that one week.  Josh & Josh Within two weeks we conducted trainings in remote areas known as Matale A & B, Olkesumet and Nalepo with four different Maasai widow groups. Some of the women had attended previous trainings and we were so impressed and encouraged with how much information many of them have retained since last we met in 2014. Some have started taking steps to implement, but their biggest challenge is timing for planting. They have asked us to return before the long rains to help them prepare their fields properly in time before the rains. This is a big step and exciting because all we offer is knowledge, as we don't give handouts. Abraham joined Josh the second week and did an amazing job of training. We are very proud of him.    FYI...If the women look angry they are not. Most Maasai do not smile when taking a serious picture, unless you catch them off guard or get them to do something silly for the picture.  Matale A Matale B Olkesumet Nalepo Praise A safe and successful trip to the bush. For Josh Brown's willingness to serve with us. For the widow's hunger for more. For Abraham's growth and passion to equip his people. Prayer For the widows as they continue to put their hope and faith in the Lord and for His provision as they continue to walk in His ways in all areas of their lives.  There were a few widows that were very open and honest about not knowing the Lord as their Savior and informed us that they were not ready to give their complete life to Him. Those that were not Christians were extremely challenged with very simple thinking, concepts and understanding. The Lord showed Josh during the trainings how the enemy clearly has a hold on their minds and ability to think, process and apply what they are learning. Please pray for breakthrough for their salvation and the renewing of their minds. For Josh Brown as he returns to New Zealand and processes everything that the Lord bestowed upon him. He said he has a lot of praying to do when he returns.  For Abraham as the Lord continues to use him and opens up doors of opportunity for him.  Thank you for believing in us, our calling and your obedience in being a part of this journey together with what the Lord is doing!  Love & blessings, Josh, Renee, Cai & Evie  www.FarmHopeThrive.org Get Involved! Give!

Kindling a Passion...Sustainable Agriculture

We had an amazing group this past weekend for the Farming God’s Way training. We had a total of 9 (2 not pictured) in attendance. Representatives for Haiti, Costa Rica, Africa and America just within this small group pictured above. Everyone was thankful for the opportunity to attend the training stating that the training was inspirational and has kindled a passion for farming that is restorative in more ways than one. We’re looking forward to seeing God’s future plan for those that attended and the lives that will be forever changed as they equip others with this amazing gift of hope.

We made a field trip out to Lynn and Carmen’s FGW garden, and seeing is believing as they say. One of the students made the comment upon arrival, “Wow, I’m so amazed that you still have green beans and that they are still producing. Mine have died out long ago.” His ways are truly much higher than ours. What a blessing it was to be able to visit with Lynn and Carmen. It’s always encouraging to see people being doers of the Word and not just hearers only.

Visit our website: www.farmhopethrive.org

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FarmHopeThrive

Farming God's Way Thriving in the USA

Farming God’s Way in the USA

Lynn and Carmen attended one of our trainings last year and made the decision to implement Farming God’s Way in their home garden. Lynn immediately went home after the class and started covering the garden area with leaves and grass clippings to start building up his mulch cover…aka God’s blanket.

I (Josh) was invited to help them on planting day and was amazed at the cover already established on their garden. It literally took us five minutes to weed the entire garden. Lynn informed me that in the past you could not even tell the garden area from the rest of the yard due to all the weeds. Being the case on planting day, he would normally till up the entire area because of all the weeds, then start planting. This year he immediately started planting without the labor involved with tilling. While checking the soil moisture content, I noticed that the soil was still moist 6+ inches deep and it had not rained in almost a week and a half. Click here to see the video clip. We have a feeling their tiller is going to start collecting a lot of dust from here on out.

They have been thrilled with the harvest results and minimal labor that’s now involved in preparation and maintenance. We love going to visit with them. Not only does it excite us to see how God has blessed them for their faithfulness, but they bless us with lots veggies from their abundant harvest as well.

Lynn recently sent the below picture of their tomato plants stating, “What I don’t like about Farming God’s Way…tomatoes are too short.” Good one Lynn!

 

Want to schedule a training?

Please contact us personally if you have any further questions, or if you would like to plan a training for your church, community, or gardening/farm group. We look forward to hearing from you!

info@farmhopethrive.org

www.farmhopethrive.org

Dickson's Abundant Harvest - Successful Sustainable Agriculture In Africa

Dickson's Abundant Harvest - Successful Sustainable Agriculture in Africa

You may remember us sharing about Dickson and the many challenges he and his fellow Malawian's faced during the heavy rainfall and flooding earlier this year.  After receiving his recent update we had to share his testimony with you. Despite the challenges it's harvest time!

Dickson only has 1.25 acre for farming and despite the flooding, Dickson harvested 3858 lbs of maize off of 4/5 of an acre. The average maize yield is 440-880 lbs per acre. Dickson states, "God is God and He has changed my past from poor, zero and nobody to be a blessed person with abundance over and above and a hero, nothing else but through Farming Gods Way. What a day!!! Even we were severely hit by the floods but God has made it possible for us to have a great harvest. All the glory and honor to God the Master Farmer."

Dickson is a true champion in his community and God continues to be faithful to the faithful. He and others like him are the reasons why we continue to do what we do. 

 

 

Picture taken just outside Dickson's home during the flooding

www.FarmHopeThrive.org

Farm Hope Thrive - A Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Equipping African Farmers to Thrive not just survive!

Farm Hope Thrive is a Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Equipping African Farmers to Thrive not just survive!

​Join us on this journey of God's relentless love, redemption, healing and restoration.

Planting seeds of Hope in the hearts of the poor as they place the seeds in their fields!  Farm Hope Thrive provides training and other assistance to help communities transition from subsistence living to food security. Our programs help impoverished families become self-sufficient and combat chronic hunger. ​

Farm Hope Thrive is a US based 501(c)3 organization serving Tanzania. Our purpose is to educate and equip rural African farmers, community leaders, pastors, church planters, teachers & agriculture extension officers using a biblical and sustainable approach to agriculture, on how to improve crop yields, care for God's creation, develop a closer relationship with God and how to make a profit by using Kingdom management principles in order to raise a self-sustaining, interdependent, and Godly generation. 

More than just surviving...Thriving!!!

www.farmhopethrive.org