The cover photo this week is one I have been eagerly awaiting. We have shown some lovely pictures of the training fields looking great. But this is the first we have of a great looking field planted and managed by one of the many growers that have been trained this year. Full disclosure - I have seen other pictures that don't look like this one, whether training plots or trainee managed. But it is glorious when the plan works. And to this point in the season, it appears to be working for this grower. Good work in the training, brother Tonga. And great job implementing the new process to your local grower!
Elsewhere, our efforts at clean water have stalled during the rainy season because the location we chose is WET. That may be a problem for the water drilling equipment, but for those that were around two seasons ago, it is a beautiful thing to have wet ground rather than draught during the growing season. Our current hope for clean water projects is that sometime in the next few weeks will get THREE projects done in close proximity to hopefully get a little better pricing from the company providing the equipment and expertise to dig these boreholes. Stay tuned for that news...
Can I think in real time for just a few minutes with you all today? I have a very uncomfortable topic to think through, and I'm a little hesitant to even do it. But it feels like the right thing to do, and the right time to do it...
The topic is GREED. I think I will do this in question form, as I truly am trying to just think some things through. So here goes:
1) Is it because of GREED that a starving person STEALS fresh maize from a great looking field of maize in eastern Zambia? or is that something else?
2) Is it because of GREED that a partner in the work chooses to SELL stored corn rather than give it away as intended? or, in the context of an economy offering next to zero opportunity is that something else?
3) Is it reasonable for an African man to dream of a better life for his family? or is that GREED?
4) Is it GREED when I want to spend the bulk of my American surplus on ME or on MY family or MY future security while around the world people are starving? or is that reasonable?
5) Is it reasonable that we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about such things as "righteousness" or "sin" or any of a hundred other "spiritual" topics in midst of all of this GREED? Or should we consider figuring THAT one out before we worry about what someone else may be doing wrong in our opinion?
That seems pretty heavy. Frankly, I am sorry to drop all that on you today. But it was weighing on me. And I am very curious as to both the African and American reaction to those questions. Thanks for indulging, and please forgive me if I have offended in the least.
