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Published: August 18th 2007
Brent has been working towards getting this project started for some time now, and after outlining the plans and getting the first class underway, he is more excited than ever to be "breaking ground" in such an amazing area of growth for the Lord's church here in East Africa. There's nothing new under the sun, but often times a more efficient way of getting it done and that is what he is hoping to accomplish through teaching this survival garden course. Brent taught the first class this last week, which consisted of 8 Tanzanian men, along with Emily, Garrett, Gracie, Anthony Brown, myself, & Kelly. The class began looking at the basics of gardening, compost piles, creating the raised beds and making the most use of a lesser amount of space working in an alloted area just back behind the ACSOP building, and near Cy & Stephanie's new house being built in Kisongo.
Ec 1:9 "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."
Ec 5:18 "Behold that which I have seen: it is good
Brent loves teaching and working in the garden...
That Makes this a great project and one he will love working with.and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion."
The G.A.R.D.E.N. Project Biblical Basis:
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not five them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? (James 2:15-16)
“Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got in the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude Can't take the "Country-boy" Out of the Man
Dr Smelser was here this week and saw Brent out working in the feild and said he looked like a good ol' Alabama Farmer in the "bama" hat Gary Box had left here for him.... of fish. (John 21:3-6)
If any one could have just given them fish, it was Jesus. Instead He showed them a better way to fish.
To have truly self sustaining, self supporting congregations, one of the goals of TZ2000, we must begin some type of education, or training, into practical ways of accomplishing such a goal. One way that has shown the most promise, with the largest group of people, and the quickest impact on everyday life, is the GARDEN PROJECT.
A simple overview of what is to be accomplished is to teach families how to grow and maintain a self sustaining, reproducing garden that can provide enough food for the family, as well as some over flow to be sold, adding income for the family as well as an increase in the national food pool. This basic teaching is designed to provide relief from hunger and malnutrition, as well as increasing the income of the family to purchase staple goods that can not be grown. Below I will try to outline the various stages as well as expected cost, (as known) and then include a more detailed long range plan, along with effective ways to
disseminate this teaching to the widest group of people in the shortest amount of time, taking into account, that eventually, this needs to be a program that is taken over by East African natives.
I. Getting Started
A. The program is on schedule to begin with the first class being held in Aug. of 07.
B. The first participants will be leaders from around the Arusha/Moshi area.
1. Participants in this class will need to be fluent in English.
2. It will consist of a five day workshop held at ACSOP
3. These first students will be the demonstration models for following classes.
C. Students will be taught the basics of raised bed, natural gardens, using drip irrigation.
II. Phase One:
A. Make the decision on ACSOP Student participation.
1. Mandatory/voluntary
2. Added to curriculum, or extra after school activities
*** In my opinion, this is the best way to not only disseminate this information out, it also provides the students effective ways to help the congregations and communities in which they will return to live and work. In addition it will teach them a way
to support themselves, without regard to the ability of the congregation to support them.
3. Additional models/classes could be held over the two year period such as raising livestock.
4. This also would provide additional food for the school, and or support for the student.
5. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 2 Thes. 3:10b
III. Phase Two:
A. Invite preachers to come to ACSOP for classes.
1. This will teach them the concepts that will be needed to return home and begin the practice on their own homestead.
2. After the preacher has started this on his own land, a class can be conducted for the congregation using his garden as a demonstration model. (Most people will have to see that this is more effective, before the transition will truly take place.)
IV. Phase Three:
A. Increase class availability as well as adding the additional models such as raising livestock.
B. Move further out in area to reach outlying congregations.
C. By this time, a person, or people (native) need to be in place to teach and train others.
Resources that will
be needed:
1. Initial drip kits, seeds, herbicides, pesticides etc. in the initial phases of the program.
2. Any support or loans given to participants to “get started” need to be given “in kind”, meaning that if we provide them with the initial seed, after the first year they need to pass that blessing and teaching on to someone else. This provides an opportunity for benevolence, evangelism, and extends the blessings far beyond the initial concepts of this program.
3. A native man, or men to be taught how to continue the program. To include scheduling classes, traveling to teach and to assist, etc.
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Mildred Whitlock
non-member comment
Hello to the Richardson family, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the GARDEN PROJECT is for all involved. Teaching the folks in Tanzania how to grow food will be a blessing for all concerned. What a excellent way to teach them how to reap from the harvest planted. Thanks for all your sacrifices and efforts made in love the further the cause of Christ to others. May God continue to bless each one and we pray you'll get the money to come visit in 2007. You and yours are so precious and we love you all!!