You may recall that, just over a year ago, Zeph and I were in Zambia, near Livingstone, for our annual Farming God’s Way “in-field mentoring.” This is an annual gathering designed to hone our training skills, move the up-and-comers through the steps required for training accreditation, and to strongly support the efforts of local trainers in getting local growers to change their ways and enjoy the many benefits of Farming God’s Way.
This year, we didn’t have to travel quite as far – though it was quite a drive, 670km! From September 20-26, Zeph and I were in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape with 40 other trainers, trainers-in-training, and a few who were “checking it out.”
The Monday was a honing skills day – training drills, demonstrations, etc. We were then divided into 3 training teams, and each team ran a 3-day training from Tuesday to Thursday. Each team had a “primary mentee” – a trainer who had completed all the other requirements for accreditation, and was up for their final evaluation. Each primary mentee was supported by a “secondary mentee” – a trainer who is a bit earlier in the journey, but is also working toward accreditation.
The primaries and secondaries did most of the training, with support from a senior trainer who led the team. I led one of the teams, and Zeph was a secondary on another team. The primary on my team passed his accreditation with flying colours. Actually, all the primaries were accredited this year. Zeph came back with more experience, and a bag full of feedback with which to hone his training skills. He is so eager for feedback, and incredibly keen to be the best trainer he can be.
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On Friday, the teams went out to help lay out fields of new adopters. It was a meaningful time of serving the rural poor by helping them with permanent pegs, and rotation section delineation. One of the fields our team laid out was the most irregular shaped area I’ve ever seen. But we managed to lay it out properly, and we put in over 130 permanent pegs, which will allow the grower to find his rows year after year, and keep all his spacings optimum for his crops.
We closed the week with the accreditation ceremony which was a great time of celebration together. It is a huge accomplishment to become fully accredited. Lots of work and learning goes into the process. Ryan, the young guy I worked with last year in Zambia, passed his accreditation this year as well. It is wonderful to see people running confidently with the tools of Farming God’s Way in their hands.
The long trek home was full of thanksgiving, arriving back about mid-day Sunday. It was an intense time, but very, very good. I was personally affirmed and encouraged in so many ways that food security and agriculture based on biblical principals can have a profound impact on communities. I can’t tell you how pumped I am to continue spreading the word. Pray for the many in Keiskammahoek who attended one of the three trainings. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come to the whole valley!
DW
