From our first demonstration garden in 2010, we have been learning the transformational power of wise local resource utilization, combined with effective management, and a renewed mindset as laid out in Farming God’s Way. The impetus behind a tool like Farming God’s Way touches lives in physical, social, mental/emotional and spiritual ways. We have longed to see a movement take root in the province of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa where communities start to heal through this holistic approach. We’ve needed more leaders with a passion for this type of transformation. We are so excited to mark the month of October 2018 as a remarkable milestone where we saw the coming together of a KZN training team!

On October 9-11, we led a training at Grace Family Church Ballito located just north of Durban. The church has been part of our network for years by virtue of a friendship we’ve had with its Director of Missions & Justice, Dave Richter. It is a church with a strong record of external focus and community engagement. Dave asked back in February if we’d be willing to conduct a training at one of their campuses for the leaders of faith-based NGO’s in their network.

This training was significant for us – for two reasons. The first reason is that, for the first time, we were able to bring a team to conduct the training. Up until now, the group of potential trainers we have been developing has felt rather fledgling. But after hosting the international Farming God’s Way in-field mentoring events the last two years, life and momentum have been breathed into both Farming God’s Way extension in this area and local leader and trainer development.

And so, there were five of us training in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal. What a joy for Dan to be able to function more as a facilitator than the one on whose shoulders everything depended! Each member of our new training team shone with their own passion for community transformation. It is particularly exciting because it is a multi gender team with 2 women and 3 men. Ruth and Dennis, a husband and wife team, bring years of life experience and wisdom to the team. Ruth is full of energy and enthusiasm and Dennis is a servant heart always willing to help. Wilhelm is a young and humble man with a passion for empowering youth. His training style is relaxing and facilitative. Sarah brings some of her hands on experience with implementing Farming God’s Way on her property. She is thoughtful and articulate. It is a dynamite team and the support within is wonderful.

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The second reason this training felt exceptional was the group of trainees in attendance. The group was extremely enthusiastic and attentive, and they all just seemed to get it. Our goal in these trainings goes way beyond teaching skills and behaviour change. The goal is whole-life transformation. During the lunch break on the second day, Senzo came to speak with Dan. Dan wishes he had taken notes! Essentially, Senzo explained that his entire perspective and worldview had been completely turned upside down, and that he now had a hope he’d never had before.

Dan had taught on the difference between work that brings dignity, provision and joy, and toil that brings only devastation and discouragement. Senzo related that he’d been ‘farming’ for decades, doing what he’d been taught to do by his father. He said he’d only been toiling. He’d seen his land and soil deteriorate, and the return on his investment of time and energy had been extremely low. His mindset had been only lack and ‘dependency syndrome’ – being dependent on aid organizations and the government for what he and his family needed.

What struck us about Senzo’s testimony was the joy with which he told his story. He said that, for the first time, he understood God as an abundant provider of all kinds of resources, and that he felt empowered to be faithful with what God had given in order to abundantly provide for his family and be a blessing in his community.

Wow! We can’t contain our excitement for the future as more people experience what Senzo has articulated. The transformational movement is taking root. God is bringing abundant life to this part of South Africa. Following is a photo diary with some of our favourite moments from the training.

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