"We Can Grow Food for 100 Families!"

"We did it! We give praise to God for helping us grow food to feed 100 families!" Stella exclaimed this to Shelton after the LTLA team distributed 100 bundles of rape (a leaf vegetable rich in vitamin A) along with the purchased corn meal and sugar beans. This was the first time we have grown the food we distribute to the families we serve. It cost $15 total for inputs in growing the rape bundles as compared to purchasing cabbages at $1 a piece. The added bonus is that the plants will continue growing leaves for future distributions.

Shelton, an LTLA team member who was trained a year ago as a trainer in sustainable farming methods, has led the effort to establish vegetable production at our Community Center. During the COVID-19 lockdown the LTLA team have gathered in small groups to encourage one another in the Lord through Bible study, scripture memory and prayer as well as establishing vegetable beds. One day recently while walking by one of these small groups working at our Community Center, an agriculture professor at nearby Chinhoyi University of Technology took notice of our efforts and was very impressed. She would like to walk her students over for a field trip when the university re-opens after the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. It is our desire to hold training sessions for people in the community on the sustainable farming methods we are applying. During these sessions they will learn of the Biblical foundation for these methods.

LTLA team members harvesting rape leaves.

 

LTLA team members distributing rape bundles to families we serve.

The photos above show the team in action collecting and distributing the rape bundles. In the first picture you will also notice the brick wall along our back property line which was recently constructed. A wall was also constructed at the front of the additional property we purchased last year. We are praying that the wall will deter theft of our vegetable production. Most of our corn harvest was stolen in April.

Richard is mixing mortar while Tinotenda is supplying bricks for the builders in the wall construction. Richard and Tinotenda are fruit of our youth Bible studies. We employed them for the wall construction. Richard completed his first term of technical college in March and is waiting to return once schools re-open from COVID-19 closure. Tinotenda passed exams so hopes to begin technical college next year.

 Join us in thanking God for blessing the efforts of the LTLA team in growing vegetables to help feed the 100 families we serve. Pray that our vegetable production operation will draw people into a relationship with our Creator through his Son, Jesus Christ. Pray also for Zimbabwe as local transmission cases for COVID-19 have increased significantly in the last two weeks and the government is renewing restrictions which include a 6pm-6am curfew. The opposition party has also called for a protest on July 31 so there is heavy police presence to enforce the COVID-19 restrictions as well as to stop anti-government demonstrations. Pray for peace and just governance in Zimbabwe.


Praising and Trusting God our Father,
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa