An Embodiment of Hope

If there weren't interruptions to my planned out weeks, I would find myself in a pretty boring routine! One such welcomed disturbance came on Monday, when I had the opportunity to visit Luhwindja, a field site where Food for the Hungry actively serves.

In this specific village, FH worked in cassava multiplication (see the picture of the beautiful old man), seed and tool distribution (which then leads to successful farming; see the picture of the women), as well as planting fish ponds.

As dictated to me by Emmanuel, who I worked on the proposal with last week, the wars (1st and 2nd Congo War 1996-2003 - google it) not only destroyed lives, but it also erased any evidence of livelihoods. Fields were completely infertile because all the owners had fled. All livestock were either eaten by rebels or relocated. As you might know, livestock and agriculture work together in the countryside; cows producing manure gives the soil a greater fertility. Farmers are finding that their seeds and techniques of farming are not sustaining the tough soil. The broken infrastructure following these wars still exists. Many skilled Congolese farmers returned from refuge with nothing. The need for FH in these areas is great, and today, hope is found in the beneficiaries, changing their communities with each seed planted.

While agriculture isn't exactly my area of interest, agricultural livelihoods make up 80% of the population in the Congo. Cassava multiplication (manioc) is crucial: one of the staple crops in the DRC is currently plagued by a disease which wipes out entire fields. The seeds distributed by FH are disease-resistant. FH is also working to diversify the diet in the field, providing seeds for a variety of vegetables. However, not only are vegetables produced, seeds are multiplied to further impact the village.

Needless to say, I feel to honored to be working with an organization like Food for the Hungry. I spent a few hours in the field, taking in the scenery, learning about agriculture, and seeing the grateful hearts of our beneficiaries.

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."