To everything (Turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (Turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose under heaven.
(Pete Seeger)
“Turning the compost, in order to get the compost just right it has to be turned.” Cue the Byrds and sing the refrain To everything Turn, turn, turn. “In order to have a successful crop it has to be planted in its season.” Of course, there is a season Turn, turn, turn. “Do all of this for God’s Glory and with great joy.” The trifecta, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Equipping Farmers International has found their purpose under heaven by asking the question, “What if the church could feed itself, and the world?”
The Mission, Equipping Farmers International (EFI) exists to engage the global church in agricultural discipleship that results in food security and improved livelihoods. EFI is also ramping up training to include hand-dug shallow, small borehole water wells.
Training the trainers is the first step. From their churches, these trainers take the agricultural training to their neighbors. Partnerships are also important to the growth of the church and mission agencies.
Equipping Leaders International (ELI) has been there from the start. Equipping Leaders International has seen the need to physically feed the church and has partnered with Equipping Farmers International. Why? Because deaths caused by food insecurity are equal to one person’s death every 3.4 seconds from preventable starvation, both ELI’s and EFI’s global purpose is to prevent preventable deaths and to ensure that churches, communities, and individuals are prepared for eternity. As a shared goal, both organizations are committed to food security and eternal security.
From the field, a season of change. “… ‘This lady has a wonderful story.’ She has previous training, got married, and took two years to persuade her husband to change his whole farming method. Now she is asking for help in training her village through the church. I have asked her to gather the people (local church leaders) and we will walk the season together, as she is near Bulawayo (100 km away). A few villagers I spoke to say this woman is a superwoman, they feel they cannot do what she is doing, but they salute her for turning her husband into a hardworking man!’” As told by EFI’s Regional Director in East Africa.
From the field, why change? “A local pastor was watching us pull the rope that was attached to the drill stem, attached to the drill bit, that had been hitting the same rock in the same place not moving an inch. ‘This is not going to work.’ His statement didn’t surprise the trainers this was their eighth well. It was hot and time for a break. The well took a few days to complete and the local pastor had these words for the trainers, ‘We have a new way to get water thank you for taking the time to love us enough to work this hard for our thirst. This is a living example of living water. Now, I can drill boreholes and fix pumps. It’s not just helping me, but our whole village. My words as I preach now match the work I am able to do. This work matches our faith. As I teach others, I show them God’s love in action.’” From well training in The Gambia.
EFI and ELI have many stories from the field, from all around the world. Consider how you can partner with us as we share in the same goal and a time for every purpose under heaven.
