Dear <<First Name>>,
God has been so good to us. He has caused my teaching of farming to have more impact than I could have ever generated on my own. This past week David told me about a conversation with Juan, our neighbor, who often works with us on the farm. It went something like this.
“Juan, how are your crops doing?”
Juan replied “I’m so excited my corn is growing better than ever.”
David asked “How so? What happened?”
Juan replied “When we planted corn in April I was so discouraged. Every year we plow, plant, fertilize, cultivate and weed the corn, but our harvests are terrible. I was ready to give up planting.”
“Yes, what did you do then?” David asked.
“Well, I told my mom and sisters that I wanted to try planting the way you and Andrew taught us to plant here on his farm.” replied Juan.
David asked “What did they say?”
Juan answered “My mom thought it was a bad idea to try something new. She said she wouldn’t do it. My sisters liked the idea though. So my mom planted her rows the way she always has. My sisters and I planted our rows Andrew’s way, giving each plant more space to grow.”
“What happened? asked David.
“Well the corn my sisters and I planted the new way has grown tall. The stalks are much thicker and most of them have two big ears of corn. The rows of corn my mom planted are just like what we always get. They have skinny, weak stalks and very few ears” replied Juan.
“Well what did your mom say? Is she upset? Asked David.
“No, she is really happy” said Juan “She says she likes the new way of planting.”
It is so encouraging to see that something I taught Juan is blessing his extended family with a good harvest. I believe that this was an important advance for the community. A Tarahumara family did an independent demonstration of one of the most basic things I have taught. From their perspective it was quite controversial, and exposed them to the risk of shame and ridicule if it didn’t work. It is now much easier for others to do the same now that the community has an example of someone successfully, and independently applying what I have been teaching for years. A common objection that I have encountered when encouraging Tarahumara farmers to try something new has been. “That works for you because you aren’t a native, it won’t work for me.” Now we can honestly say that giving each corn plant more space works for Tarahumara farmers too, and point to a local example!
Our family trip to Ohio to celebrate Iris’ parents 65th wedding anniversary has been a blessing. It was so rewarding to honor their achievement, and visit with many of our extended family. We have enjoyed relaxing and resting. The stress of the trip has caused somewhat of a relapse in my health, and I am experiencing some renewed symptoms of post-concussion syndrome. However I am feeling well enough that I have gone ahead and scheduled visits with many of our supporting congregations and individuals in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. It is so refreshing to reconnect with the people who are making it possible for Iris and I to fulfill our calling in Mexico. Yet at the same time we miss our home and the people we love in Mexico. Our plan is to return home to the farm in November.
Please join us in prayer that our time in the USA would be productive. I also ask for prayer for Juan and the other farmers we are working with; first that they would come to know Christ as their personal savior and second that they would have a bountiful harvest.
Andrew
