The time for economic empowerment has finally come!

There is excitement everywhere . . . the time for economic empowerment has finally come! After over twenty years of struggling in far out locations (remote villages) where there has been no market, few tools, little training, and a lack of affordable seeds, 192 of our farming families are praising God! They are part of our "Pilot Ginger Project."

These families represent over 1,000 people who are filled with hope that they will one day become self-sustaining as they learn to grow and market a cash crop. We have no doubt that this is going to happen as God shows us the way forward, step by step.

These farmers, both men and women, completed their training to grow ginger a few weeks ago. They went through classroom training as well as training at our demonstration sites. One of the most exciting things to witness was their unity and love for each other. It was evident that it was the result of sharing Bible study and life together over the past three years. They were flowing together as one . . . a loud and resounding testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ and what the Apostle John meant when he said, "They will know you are my disciples because you love one another" (John 13:35).

There is excitement everywhere . . . the time for economic empowerment has finally come! After over twenty years of struggling in far out locations (remote villages) where there has been no market, few tools, little training, and a lack of affordable seeds, 192 of our farming families are praising God! They are part of our "Pilot Ginger Project."

These families represent over 1,000 people who are filled with hope that they will one day become self-sustaining as they learn to grow and market a cash crop. We have no doubt that this is going to happen as God shows us the way forward, step by step.

These farmers, both men and women, completed their training to grow ginger a few weeks ago. They went through classroom training as well as training at our demonstration sites. One of the most exciting things to witness was their unity and love for each other. It was evident that it was the result of sharing Bible study and life together over the past three years. They were flowing together as one . . . a loud and resounding testimony of the transforming power of Jesus Christ and what the Apostle John meant when he said, "They will know you are my disciples because you love one another" (John 13:35).

These photos represent another big day we just had! Every family received the tools they needed for planting and they didn't waste any time getting the job done. Every farming family dug five holes which was no small feat, as the ground was hard and the holes were wide and deep. The holes may look like tombs but they will be a source of life for our people.

Ginger is one of the most profitable crops (spices) to grow. It can also be grown on a very small piece of land which is important as most of our families own only one or two acres. They need a cash crop that will leave enough space for them to grow the food they need to feed their families.

Ginger is ready to be harvested in nine months. We are expecting a profit of ten-fold. This is only a start but a great one. We will give 80% of the profit to the farmers, help them save 10% for their next planting, and the farmers will tithe the other 10% to help other families join the project.

We give praise to God for what He is doing to raise these people up and give them the dignity of taking care of their families. We also give Him thanks for all our partners who made this project possible. We covet your prayers in the days ahead, believing that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b)