Farming Families are Being Uplifted

Pictured is Colleen with our farming team: Patrick, Ambrose, and Solomon.

We have just finished a very busy season with farming and can’t believe how far the Lord has brought us. Seven years ago, we introduced our pilot farming project to 90 farmers, and today the program is reaching over 2,000 families.

We’re so blessed to have four outstanding agriculturalists on our staff, who are loved by the people. They have been critical to the success of our farmers, providing them with knowledge and training, as well as connections to markets. Even more, they have opened their eyes to how being a disciple of Jesus should impact their mindset toward work, finances, and business.

Colleen, who is one of our best farmers, is full of gratitude. When she joined the farming project four years ago, she earned enough to purchase an ox and send her three oldest children to school. The following year, she was able to begin the construction of a permanent home, something she never imagined after losing her husband.

Colleen’s success has continued over the past two years. She has now been able to expand her land and increase her number of livestock, as well as send her oldest son to pursue a university degree in accounting.

Colleen will tell you that it has not always been like this. After her husband’s death, her life was clouded by hardship and hopelessness. She had days when she didn’t want to live, because she felt powerless to care for her children and give them a future. But all that began to change when her youngest child was sponsored.

According to Colleen, “It was a sign of how much God loved me and my eyes became open to Him. Soon I began to study God’s Word at one of the discipleship groups, and Psalm 3:1-8 became my anchor. As I grew in my faith, I became stronger to persevere and trust God during challenging times. In time, I joined the farming project.”

Looking back, Colleen praises God for how far He has brought her. The farming project has provided her with livestock, expanded her land, increased her household income, and enabled her to educate her children. More importantly, studying God’s Word has restored her faith and filled her life with hope, peace, joy, and strength.