Moringa Experiment: Week 3

It has been another week, and the moringa seedlings are doing fine. We had a few bumps over the last week and a few casualties. We realized that the young seedlings do not like direct sunlight for long periods of time, nor do they like too much water on the leaves. We had a small problem with fungus, but once we adjusted our watering techniques, the seedlings began sprouting new and fresh leaves free of fungi. We also built a small shelter to guard the plants from the sun until they are stronger.

We also built a small wooden fence on the new property and planted 12 moringa trees. The fence was built by myself and my three friends (A,S, & K). We had a great time creating the plot. Kassim was the chief carpenter and even added a small cross above the doorway. I was so proud to see them working together and excited about the project. The guys wanted to make a place for these twelve trees along with some flowers as an advert for the project. I am supporting them and so happy to see the creative juices flowing.

We still are trying to raise money for the next phase of the project: the fence. So far we have about $2,000 USD raised and are relying on God for the balance. I am thankful to hear of people brainstorming about raising funds to help the project. Thank you for all your efforts and excitement. We definitely need your ideas, encouragement and prayers. Above all, God is faithful and will provide.

I am meeting with pastor Emmanuel weekly to develop the Bible lessons for the month long class. It is our prayer that within the month of learning, we will present the Gospel to each class and invite them to our new church plant. I am so excited that God is bringing people together for His glory. Thank you all for your prayers and support! We are one step closer…

Land Update

This week I had the opportunity to meet with Principal Abu Conteh from The Evangelical College of Theology in Jui, Freetown. This meeting was to inform the principal of my desire to use the land next to the Hope Center for the Tree of Life project. This land is currently undeveloped and was kindly offered by GCPN with the agreement that one day this land would still remain in the possession of the college.

Overall, meeting was positive and encouraging. Discussions about utilization of the land, TECT’s role in the project and sustainability all took place. I was informed that the principal would take this information to the board to inform them of this new development. I believe the college will benefit from the project because it will offer training and education to the students and faculty. It will be a great asset that will compliment their ministries by learning how to ease physical suffering and give their families and neighbors wellness and health.

Thank you all for your prayers. Continue to pray as details come together. Pray that no complications would come to pass, and that God would continue to be faithful day by day to bring this ministry into being.

Moringa Experiment: Week 2

 

It has been two weeks since we planted the 121 seeds in our experimental moringa plot. The purpose of this experiment is to see if the moringa can be grown using the intensive cultivation. This means that we are growing the seeds close together and harvesting the leaves every six weeks by cutting the tops of each plant. The small stems that remain will regrow and be reharvested after six weeks. Again, this is an experiment to see if this type of technique can be used when the project officially begins.

About 85% of the seeds planted have now sprouted (see picture). I am thrilled to see that the seeds are doing well in the soil near the sea. This plot is located at the Hope Center which is adjacent to the land that we are pursuing for the project. We hope to be able to harvest these plants within the next 5-6 weeks.

Not only are we working with the experiments, I have been working with a local pastor named Pastor Emmanuel in refining the Bible Study materials and Community Health Curriculum. Please continue to pray for this process. Our hope is to present the Gospel during the month of class the students will have. We are committed to a holistic approach just as Jesus was.

Also, I ask that you all continue to pray for financial provisions. The land has been given and agreed upon. We now await the $15,000 USD to secure the land with the fence. Once secured, we will be able to prepare the land and begin planting. For more information about the project, click the tabs above on this blog. I have included a picture of the land as well. I know God will miraculously provide in his own way and time. I love you all and cannot do this without you.

Off to a Good Start

I have just returned to Sierra Leone and have had a wonderful time catching up with friends and colleagues. I am so excited about the Tree of Life project and have hit the road running. My friends Kassim and Sissoko joined me this week in doing a small project to test the Moringa trees. 

While in America, my good friend Tom Brockelman tested the soil on the land where the project will be located. The results indicated that the land is perfect for growing the Moringa trees. The land lies adjacent to a brackish river that empties to the nearby ocean. I wanted to test the land and also a technique known as intensive cultivation. 

We began by digging a plot that is approximately 2.5 feet by 2.5. feet. We dug a pit about 70cm deep and mixed chicken dung with the soil removed from the pit. It was a difficult task because large stones were found just below the surface. We had to use a pickax, hammer and chisel to remove the stones. 

After refilling the mixed soil, we soaked the soil for a couple of days. We will wait several days before we plant 121 moringa seeds on the plot. They will be planted 10cm apart making them grow close together. When the trees reach should length after about 6 weeks, we will cut the trees back to about 20 cm from the ground. This will allow us to harvest the leaves and then we will await the new growth from the remaining cuttings. The new leaves will grow back in about a month and we will harvest again at that time and so on.

Thank you all for your prayers. We have received an estimate for the fence around the one acre of land. It will cost about $15,000. We are asking you all to pray that God will provide these funds so we can move forward in the project. In the meantime, I am working on preparing the curriculum and Bible studies for the project. Again, I cannot do this without you all. Thank you for everything and may Christ receive the glory for it all!

Let the Project Begin!

I am so excited to announce today that Pioneers International has officially approved the Tree of Life project and have given the green light to begin raising funds. God has been opening doors left and right since this vision begin several months ago, and I am thrilled that He is in control and leading the way ahead. This also means that individuals, churches and businesses can begin contributing donations to help begin and establish the project. The goal is a total of $40,000 USD. You can visit the "Donate" tab above to bless the project!

I just returned from a two day training in Ft. Myers, Florida at the ECHO World Farm. ECHO is a Christian nonprofit organization that is dedicated to eradicating hunger around the world through agricultural training and development. I had a wonderful time there with the ECHO gang as we explored the farm together. They had pulled so many resources from their library on the Moringa Tree for me to read and research. The were so encouraging and I was joyfully overloaded with all kinds of information that will take me weeks to process.

I also was able to see a sample Moringa farm. ECHO had just harvested the leaves, so the trees were a bit bare. However, I learned volumes about preparing the soil, composting, seed planting, cultivating and harvesting. They even showed me how to make a solar dehydrator to dry the Moringa leaves. I am so thankful to ECHO for their help, encouragement and resources. If you get a chance, visit their website at www.echo.org. I feel that God has provided me now with the knowledge to go and make this project all that it can be.

Please be in prayer as I plan to officially announce the project's opening December the 3rd at Crosspointe Church in Valdosta, Georgia. I will be spending the next month and a half promoting and praying for God's provision in regards to the project. I will be returning to Sierra Leone January 4th, 2012. I thank you all for your support, prayers and interest in this project. Read through this blog again and ask God to put His hand on the Tree of Life.

May He be glorified and may the undernourished and hungry of the world be blessed through God's miraculous Moringa Tree! I love you all!