THE PROCESS OF MAKING “POTTERY”

The attached pictures and story below are an illustration of how our “Potter”, Allah (God), is working in the life of one of his “pots” (a follower).  Last night, I received a number of text messages around 9:00PM requesting a meeting at a local venue to discuss with an “undisclosed believer.”  When I arrived this morning, I met a person from northern Borno State close to the border of Niger.  The person was influential in the local government serving in a prominent ministry.  The person’s command of the English, Hausa, and Kanuri languages was quite formidable.  I began to wonder as to the type of persecution that such a prominent citizen in northeastern Nigeria would receive.

I will call this person “AK” similar to the star Russian basketball player for the Utah Jazz, Andre Kirilenko, who is nicknamed “AK47.”  AK began by telling us of faith in the Prophet Isa Almasihu beginning 4 years ago.  Since AK established trust in the Messiah, life has not been something taken for granted.  AK’s spouse threatened to leave along with the children who are all pre-teenagers.  AK revealed that it even came to a point when the bullying from extended family became so strong that the spouse nearly left with all of the small children.

An interdenominational agency called CAPRO in Nigeria has been circulating materials for years enhancing the knowledge base of workers sharing the good news in northern Nigeria.  It was CAPRO that first contacted AK and helped facilitate belief in the Prophet Isa four years ago.  CAPRO is located in the central Nigerian city of Jos in Plateau State where the majority of residents are believers.  However, Borno State is a different “kettle of fish” where any discussion of faith conversion is met with stiff discrimination.  Therefore, after AK was pressured from family and community leaders, he decided to keep his devotion in isolation.

AK went on to remind us that his former faith allows for life to be taken in 3 situations: 1) adultery; 2) murder; 3) conversion.  AK doesn’t seriously believe that the taking of life is really an issue because of the prominence in the family, community, and society.  AK’s initial desire is to study abroad where the knowledge of secular work and faith can be strengthened.  AK’s belief is that after a period of years that a return visit to northeastern Nigeria will bring additional resolve to maintain faith.  Our concern this morning was merely to get to know AK and build a relationship not to critique life choices.

Nicodemus is a prominent example of “secret faith” in the Injil (Gospel) that came to the Prophet Isa Almasihu in his first encounter by night because he feared maltreatment from the top tier of the Jewish hierarchy.  Nicodemus’ second encounter with the Messiah was an attempted defense to give the Prophet Isa a “fair trial” which was met by rigid opposition from his Jewish counterparts.  However, Nicodemus’ last encounter with “The Word” was his team effort with Yusuf of Arimathea to bury “The Light of the World” with expensive spices.  The life and times of Nicodemus reveal a man gradually moving from “secret trust” to “public conviction” during the Prophet Isa’s 3 year pilgrimage.  The patience of the Messiah reveals the same type of endurance that we should demonstrate with our “clandestine followers.”

The Prophet Irimiya (Jeremiah) reveals to us how the “Potter”, Allah (God), works with His “pots”, His followers, even as they suffer intensive ostracism, the “Potter” is molding beautiful vessels for His glory.

Northern Nigerian Potters Local House

More Pottery

ACCESSING ALL COMPASSIONATE RESOURCES AVAILABLE

It’s been quite an interesting week in northern Nigeria as I’ve traveled to Kaduna, the solar equipment for our bore hole (well) arrived from the United Kingdom, and the March heat of Maiduguri is boiling.  The week began with an airline flight from Maiduguri to nd serve humanity.Abuja (Nigerian capitol) followed by a 2-hour car ride to Kaduna.  Kaduna is the former northern Nigerian capitol during British colonial rule from the early 20th century until 1960.  Through Barrister Clement’s (INTERCEP director) intervention, UNICEF invited me to critique a lengthy document on the “almajiri” child phenomenon.  It was quite an experience as I gained more insight into the patronage system that continues to encourage this army of Muslim beggar boys (almajirai).

On Monday night, I received a phone call in Kaduna that our solar panels and submersible pump had arrived in Maiduguri.  This was exciting because this is the apparatus that will pump water from the bore hole (well) to the surface.  Our solar engineer, Kunduli Mustapha (from the University of Maiduguri), has been creating the structure this week that will support this new setup.  It was thrilling to visit the farm today and see the 5 boxes of “Sharp” solar panels and the long tube with the “Grundfos” submersible pump therein.  We look forward to the connection between bore hole (well) and solar devices being arranged next week.

Jen has also been privileged over the past 3 days to participate in a conference for indigenous Borno non-government organizations (NGO’s) sponsored by the German embassy in Maiduguri.  This is the type of training that we needed way back in July of 2005 when we first began this work.  However, we have learned “on the fly” and the Lord has blessed our efforts.  Nevertheless, this was special because Jen is beginning to be recognized as a capable humanitarian servant in the Maiduguri NGO community.  It is these kinds of gatherings that remind us that we are not alone in our struggle to honor God and serve humanity.

Yet, the overwhelming life change lately has been the intense March heat of Maiduguri.  This has really affected INTERCEP’s Pompomari drip irrigation farm as our vegetable crops are struggling.  Therefore, efforts have been made to create some local shade structures with thatch and tree branches.  The crops under these local shade canopies are experiencing some relief but the seedlings exposed to the scorching sun are struggling to survive.  I don’t know if one ever really acclimates to this kind of weather as all plants in the ground are quickly suffocated.

As one of the Wulari believers visited me yesterday in the office, I had an opportunity to publish him a copy of the new WBS 2007 study on “God’s Prophets.”  All of these experiences reminded me of how diverse our work really is in northern Nigeria.  It would be such a blessing to simple be able to “go with the good news” but God has guided us in other directions.  Our experiences with UNICEF, solar engineering, the German embassy, INTERCEP’s Pompomari farm, and WBS remind us that the Almighty demands a vast array of tools to accomplish His mission.  Our prayer is that we will comprehend the scope behind the vision of the Most Compassionate.

Harvest From March 15, 2008

Harvest From March 22, 2008

Musa With Some Harvest Fruit

Lizard Prevention With Chicken Wire

TCHADIAN SERVANT DEPARTS FOR SERVICE

Adelene On The Right

          What we normally know as “Chad” in north-central Africa is actually spelled “Tchad.”  During our 4 years in Jos, we had the distinct blessing to meet a wonderful friend named Pierre Rimorbe.  Pierre eventually finished his education in Plateau State (Jos is state capital) but was in poor health.  He had actually contacted tuberculosis while in Jos without receiving proper treatment.  Pierre finally settled in Maiduguri for a season while Dr. Eni and Dr. Moses (deacons among the Wulari believers) helped to treat him at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

After 3 months, Pierre was ready to re-enter his native homeland of Sarh, Tchad in the southern region near Cameroon.  Since he has begun serving the indigenes of the Sarh area there have been 10 fellowships created!  Now the great difficulty is finding men of spirituality who will shepherd these new communities of faith.  Thankfully, Pierre had an old friend in Maiduguri named Paschal Yoguerman who came to belief in 2003.  Shortly thereafter, Paschal decided to begin studying at the same institution where Pierre was trained in 2004 at Jos.

While Paschal studied at the Jos school, the Maiduguri spiritual family was left with the task of assisting Paschal’s family in his absence.  This eventually meant that our family had to take in his oldest daughter, Adelene, into our home from 2006 until 2007.  The experience was a brand-new one for us because Adelene arrived with nearly no academic background as a 15 year old.  Thus, we started her with home tutoring with a nearly schoolteacher visiting 3 times a week for her instruction.  Adelene struggled through these most basic tutoring sessions but her heart was obviously not there.

Nevertheless, it was at the INTERCEP farm at Pompomari where Adelene’s gifts really began to emerge.  As she served at the farm, it was as if everything her “green thumb” touched thrived in Maiduguri’s sandy soil.  Adelene’s father, Paschal, eventually finished his Jos training in December of 2007 and has been preparing to join Pierre for the past couple of months.  Today was his family’s last day to fellowship with the Wulari believers and he thoroughly expressed his appreciation.  Paschal, his wife, and youngest daughter will officially depart for Sarh, Tchad this Saturday and we are grateful that their commitment is being fulfilled.

The Almighty has blessed Maiduguri to be a strategic 4-nations nexus bordering Cameroon, Tchad, and Niger.  It is our contact with the indigenous people of Tchad that have created wonderful opportunities there.  INTERCEP has even been requested to open an international branch office at Sarh by Pierre.  Our hope is for the INTERCEP and the Wulari believers to host a drip irrigation workshop in southern Tchad after the rainy season in late October.  If it is the will of the Most Compassionate to do so, we will follow His lead to the remote regions of Tchad. 

Adelene and Ketura Making Bread

Adelen Tending Green Peas

Paschals Family’s Farewell Speach

Pashcal On Right Listening At Drip Irrigation Workshop

INTRODUCING THE INTERCEP MAIDUGURI TEAM

Ebenezer with Dave Goolsby of Healing Hands International (Above)

          For any fellowship, organization, or team to be effective, there must be collegial, committed, and competent workers.  INTERCEP in Maiduguri is blessed with 5 such servants that effectuate our local operations.  First, Ebenezer Udofia is the Executive Agricultural Administrator that creates efficiency, experience, and professionalism in the INTERCEP farm at Pompomari.  Before Ebenezer came to INTERCEP, he served for 3 years with Rahila and Toomsa Commercial Farms just 1 ½ hours west of Maiduguri in Damaturu, Yobe State.  Ebenezer is planning on marrying his sweetheart, Regina Okon, by the end of the end of March.

Justina Tsesar (Above)

          Next, Justina Tsesar is a wonderful agricultural assistant serving under the leadership of Ebenezer on the INTERCEP farm at Pompomari.  Justina is from the Mahargi ethnic group of southern Borno state speaking fluent Hausa.  Her ability to tenderly care for the seedlings, budding crops, and harvested vegetables has created an oasis in sandy soil.  Justina’s demeanor is perfect as visitors arrive at the farm she receives them with a congenial personality.  Please keep Justina in your prayers as, God willing, she will deliver a child around July.

Ephrain Tsesar and daughter Yabo (Above)

Justina’s husband, Ephraim Tsesar is the hard-working farm maintenance assistant working with Ebenezer on the farm.  I first met Ephraim when he was a student of mine in an institution at central Nigeria.  Ephraim first encouraged me to inquire about the environment in the Borno state’s capital of Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria.  Ephraim supported his wife, Justina, for 2 months on a volunteer basis without pay.  Ephraim’s passion for the INTERCEP vision drove him to apply for the position in January causing us to strongly consider him because of his fervent spirit of servanthood.

Habuh Maiguru preparing turkey (Above)

          The current INTERCEP driver and mechanic, Habuh Maiduguri, has a long history with the Blake family dating back to 1989.  When Ken Klein first introduced Brad to northern Nigeria in the summer of 1989, Ken took Brad to Habuh’s village in southern Taraba state.  From 2001-2005, the Blake’s helped to train Habuh in auto mechanics and driving while they resided in central Nigeria.  Habuh is responsible for the maintenance of both the Blake’s vehicles and gasoline generators at the INTERCEP office and the Blake’s residence.  Habuh’s family is still in their southern Taraba village and he hopes to bring them to Maiduguri by the end of April.

Comfort Misari Thliza (above)

          Last but certainly not least is the beautiful Comfort Misari Thliza who serves as the executive administrative assistant to Brad.  Comfort first served on a volunteer basis with INTERCEP from July of 2005 until March of 2007 as an understudy required by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.  When the INTERCEP office officially opened in April of 2007, Comfort was officially invited to serve full-time as the office manager.  Comfort parents are agricultural lecturers in the University of Maiduguri and the College of Agriculture.  We give the Almighty glory for assembling such a magnanimous team of selfless servants to share His compassion in northeastern Nigeria and beyond!

SATISFYING STARVATION OF THE SOUL

A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by a psychiatrist, Jibril Abdulmalik, at a Maiduguri internet café.  He inquired if I was the one highlighting the need to help the “almajirai” (beggar boys) with dry season farming.  I affirmed that our local non-governmental organization (INTERCEP) hopes to help afflicted groups of northern Nigeria like them.  He then came to the office last week and gave me more background into his interest on the issue.  His objective is to present a paper this year in Istanbul, Turkey on adolescent psychiatry and the plight of the almajirai.

Not much is documented into the actual health hazards of the almajirai but especially the social aspects of “quasi-homelessness” have not been highlighted.  Hence, Dr. Abdulmalik is researching psychoactive substance abuse among the boys (almajirai) in the informal religious schools in northern Nigeria.  “Almajiri” is a term used widely in northern Nigeria to describe boys sent to live with and receive religious instruction from Quranic teachers.  According to Jibril, unable to cater for their needs, the teachers send the children to beg and do menial jobs.  Drug use and other forms of high risk behavior have not yet been studied among this group of “practically homeless” boys.

Therefore, Jibril is aiming to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of substance use among the almajirai.  He used a cross-sectional survey, using a multi-stage sampling technique.  Confidential interviews were conducted in informal community settings on 340 almajirai between the ages of 5 and 16.  The overall prevalence of substance abuse was 66%!  The most frequently used substances were stimulants (49%), volatile solvents (21%), cigarettes (19%), and marijuana (18%).  The least used were alcohol (3%), sedatives (3%) and dried papaya leaves (5%). 

In Dr. Abdulmalik’s study, boys from polygamous homes had a higher prevalence of drug use than those from monogamous homes.  The use of marijuana had a significant relationship with polygamous families, loneliness, and separation from parents.  This study provides the first tangible evidence of the high prevalence of drug use among the almajirai of northern Nigeria.  This finding has far reaching implications for the present and future of the communities where these children reside.  This is exactly the rationale behind INTERCEP’s passion to advocate drip irrigation farming in the almajirai villages of origin.

Last night during our family devotional, we read about the Messiah’s invitation to little children as his disciples desired to hinder them.  In a culture of poverty where survival is paramount, it may appear impractical to focus on boy’s who are under the care of someone else.  However, the Son of Man’s acceptance of children during a busy life of ministry teaches us that their humility reflected his heart.  Boys who lose hope after begging for a living easily turn to narcotic substances to satisfy the longings of their hearts.  Let’s pray for the Almighty to use us as compassionate tools for Him to satisfy the yearning of their hearts. 

Almajiri being trained in transplanting seedlings

Boy selling street sugar cane

Dusty  almajiri at roadside village

Ibrahim’s Interest in the Village

Last Thursday, our family took off from Maiduguri at 5AM on a 9 hour+ journey to reach the US embassy in Abuja before 3PM.  The northern states campaign team was also meeting in southern Kaduna state last week.  Therefore, we decided to maximize our trip by visiting the embassy and joining the campaign at the same time.  Fortunately, we reached the embassy just before it closed at 3PM last Thursday to renew Ibrahim’s passport.  While there, the consular general also requested that our family consider serving as the volunteer warden for northeastern Nigeria.

From the moment we entered the federal capitol territory of Abuja last Thursday, Ibrahim was really in awe.  Well-constructed roads, skyscrapers, air-conditioned buildings, safe drinking water, and clean restrooms could be found everywhere.  After we renewed his passport at the embassy, he asked if our family would move from Maiduguri to Abuja.  Jen and I tried to explain to him that the poorest Nigerian people are located in the north which is why we are living there.  He seemed to understand but still had his reservations as to why we wouldn’t relocate to a city with an easier life.

Nevertheless, on Friday morning when we left the comfort of Abuja for the scenic beauty of southern Kaduna state, Ibrahim’s attitude changed.  He now began to contrast the urban asphalt of Abuja with the natural landscape of Kaduna.  When we left the blacktop to ride on the bush road, he grew really excited to see wild animals in their natural habitat.  Providentially, we arrived in Kudiri village on market day which allowed us meet with a large crowd of indigenous people.  However, Ibrahim’s greatest joy became the opportunity to play with the village children throughout the day.

On Friday night, all of these village children surrounded the white bed sheet hung on 2 tall sticks to watch the artistic biblical pictures in the filmstrips used to share the good news.  The next day Ibrahim woke up early to rejoin the village children in playing the simplest games in the sand that one can imagine.  That morning, I shared a message on “Who is a Follower?” designed to convict the hearts of both believer and unbeliever on the new covenant implications of discipleship. Later in the day, I was opportune to meet with some of the new saints who had decided to follow the Messiah. Furthermore, we engaged in serious discussions with the entire team concerning the inclusion of a drip irrigation workshop into the itinerary of the campaign.

All glory goes to the Almighty for the 9 new births that resulted from the week’s proclamation.  As we were leaving the village yesterday, Ibrahim was sad because he was leaving behind many new friends.  He was also disappointed that we were departing from a village nestled in the Kaduna hills.  Ultimately, INTERCEP will become most effective in humanitarian outreach in the villages of northern Nigeria.  It is these rural areas that hold the most promise for our news to be perceived as good.

Brad with Two Kaudiri Followers

Brad with Kudiri Village Chief

Jen among northern evangelists wifes

CRUDE’S CURSE CREATES OVERWHELMING OPPORTUNITY

As the price of a barrel of light sweet crude rises to $102 per barrel, one would perceive Nigeria to be a wealthy nation.  Paradoxically, as the oil boom created unbelievable revenue in the 1970’s for Africa’s largest nation, the agricultural sector was forgotten.  Unfortunately, the advent of oil revenue created an economy that is solely dependent on one commodity.  Some sociologists even contend that Nigeria’s economy would be more buoyant if crude had never been unearthed.  Several criminologists even argue that Nigeria’s oil has created a nation of beggars waiting to get their share of the “national cake.”

At 5AM this morning, we woke up to cries from one of our neighbors that could only result from one event: death.  We have been accustomed to the pre-dawn “asubahi” call emanating from the mosque entreating Muslims to prayer.  Yet, our neighbor’s weeping from the loss of loved ones combined with the call to prayer was surreal.  When daylight came we began to inquire about the identity of the deceased.  We then learned that the younger brother of our neighbor had died due to horrific burns suffered from a deadly combination:  an open fire and a plastic gasoline can.

In February, Dave Goolsby and Randall McAdams were horrified one day when one discovered a small leak from a plastic gasoline line under my vehicle.  Only God knows how long I had been driving with this tiny leak but I knew that I was losing fuel more than usual.  Nevertheless, Nigeria is a society that lives “on the edge” with otherwise jobless young men selling gasoline in plastic containers at every corner.  Most Nigerians cannot afford to cook with diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or propane making firewood the cooking fuel of choice.  However, cooking fires at roadside restaurants are often located near young men selling gasoline from plastic bottles.

We later gathered that our neighbor’s younger brother also suffered these burns with 4 others in their hometown of Gwoza in Southern Borno State.  This had occurred a couple of days ago but the younger brother and one other burn victim passed away this morning.  “Safety first” is regrettably not an esteemed societal virtue in Africa like it is in North America.  When most people in a nation are simply struggling to survive on a daily $1, safety issues become less prominent.  Survival creates an attitude where people are absolutely unaware of the risks to which they are being exposed because they are simply trying to keep their families from starving.

Ultimately at INTERCEP, we believe that we are offering the indigenes of northern Nigeria the greatest blessing in hope after death and self-help opportunities to generate family income.  We are committed to avoiding diesel, gasoline, kerosene, or propane powered units at our drip irrigation farm.  The Almighty has given us the multiple blessings of sunlight, wind, rainfall, soil, and animals that we hope to maximize.  The global “green” agenda is not necessarily our mission; however, we hope to model an agricultural operation unadulterated by global “crude” domination.  Using God-given resources, we hope to point people to the ultimate resource for abundant life.

Randall McAdams sipping Dew at a gas station.

Road Side Vegetable Stands

ALL TYPES OF GARDEN SEED NEEDED

Greetings in Messiah!

We are now entering the hottest period of the year which will be
followed by the rainy season in June.  Our bore hole has been drilled and we
are only waiting on the solar submersible pump to provide a steady
supply of water.  Therefore, we desperately need vegetable seed.  Any seed
packets or seed parcels may be easily sent to:

INTERCEP Maiduguri
Attn:  Dr. Bradley Dean Blake
P. O. Box 84
Maiduguri, Borno State
Nigeria

Here are some examples of what has been grown on our drip irrigation
farm with your help:

Sweet Corn
Green Beans
Green Peas
Watermelon
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Squash
Bulb Onions
Spinach
Carrots
Cucumber
Eggplant
Lettuce
Cabbage
Okra
Green Pepper
Red Pepper
Chili Pepper
Pumpkin
Radish
Marigold
Beets
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cauliflower
Collard Greens
Turnip Greens
Cantaloupe
Honey Dew Melon
Kohlrabi
Parsnip

Please pray for the Lord of the harvest to be glorified as we plant
these seeds of faith.

Grace,
Brad

GATHERING PEOPLE FROM GRASSROOTS POVERTY

In August of 2007, our first drip irrigation workshop targeted the agricultural ministries of Borno State.  Of the 40 trainees that we invited, only 20 of these government workers actually participated.  There were complaints concerning the lunch served, low transport allowance, and queries concerning the whereabouts of INTERCEP trustee board members.  On the whole, that first workshop was successful in establishing INTERCEP as a partner with state government agricultural officials.  As we’ve inquired, none of them have built a compost heap, raised a plant bed, or used a drip kit.

In our second drip irrigation workshop in February of 2008, we hoped to really reach the poorest of the poor.  Whenever one enters the city center of any northern Nigerian city, one is overwhelmed by the sheer number of the almajirai (Hausa for “disciples”).  Therefore, we began to embark on a strategy through which these beggar boys could be trained in drip irrigation to keep them off the streets.  My fellow sociology (criminology) students at the University of Maiduguri, particularly A’isha Mandara, encouraged me to first reach their malamai (Hausa for “teachers”).  Thus, the Borno Youth Empowerment Forum (BYEF) was requested to help recruit malamai, almajirai, and almajiri parents who would attend the event.

On the workshop’s first day, it was difficult to read the expressions on the faces of these almajirai and malamai because they were obviously cynical.  However, as we finally went to search for dry season compost materials each almajiri, every malam, and all of the almajirai parents participated.  When lunch was served there were no complaints of someone wanting “tuwo” (corn meal mush) instead of rice.  As the transport allowance was daily given to the BYEF officials to assist these poor participants, gratitude was abundant.  Not one of these trainees inquired about the constitution, nature, and purpose of INTERCEP because they knew that our only hope was to train these little boys.

Fortunately, this grassroots makeup of the participants even influenced others to marvel at the level of those being trained.  One agricultural lecturer from a nearby junior college (“Polytechnic” in the British system) attended and is now building composts heaps on campus.  Malamai who were unable to attend the workshop are creating space for raised plant beds in their “tsangaya” (Hausa for “Quranic school”) to train their almajirai.  Requests are now coming left and right for drip irrigation kits from casual observers who attended the workshop.  State government officials and other Borno non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) are requesting partnerships with INTERCEP in future drip irrigation workshops.

The Son of Man tells a story about a great banquet where the host invited property owners, livestock holders, and the newly married.  After hearing of the refusal of each party to attend his fabulous feast, he invited the poor, the crippled, the blind, the lame, and went to the country roads to seek guests.  The meaning of this narrative demonstrates that the poorest of the poor are those most likely to participate in the Messianic meal.  What we witnessed at our INTERCEP drip irrigation workshops is that those at the grassroots of society are most eager to implement self-help farming.  It is those at the village level who will be most receptive to the Master’s message of hope.

Gathering Millet Stalks for Composting

Randall McAdams with Almajirai and Malamai

SUBSTANTIAL CONFIDENCE FROM SUPER KITS

As our vegetable farm grows the demand for additional drip irrigation equipment increases.  Many of our trainees continually visit the farm and office requesting drip kits.  One individual drip irrigation kit covers 50 square meters while selling for about $12.  The popularity of our dry season vegetables has created a greater demand to increase production.  The twofold purpose of the farm is to: 1) serve as a training site for local farmers; 2) generate revenue to move the farm toward self-sustainability.

Thankfully, Dave Goolsby at Healing Hands connected us with Dick Chapin from Watermatics Inc. in Watertown, New York.  Watermatics is quite possibly the largest seller of drip irrigation equipment in the United States.  Other nations like Israel, South Africa, and Germany produce the drip equipment but finding a dealer willing to help small-scale African farmers is difficult.  As we’ve communicated with Dick Chapin, we’ve seen a wide variety of drip equipment: 1) individual kits; 2) super kits; 3) ¼ acre kits; 4) 1 hectare kits.  However, it’s important for us to maintain the appearance of the site as easily sustainable by a local farmer.

This makes the super bucket kits ideal for INTERCEP’s present developmental stage.  The super bucket kits are the largest drip equipment that runs off of 1 meter of gravity pressure.  Larger drip tape needs more water pressure with a system of pumps and regulators.  To convince the local farmer that drip irrigation works, maintaining affordability, practicality, simplicity, and sustainability is paramount.  Therefore, we have to start small at the individual kit level to persuade our learners that this is for village conditions.

Last week, we erected our first super bucket kit at the farm to much internal fanfare among the INTERCEP team members.  A small 1 meter dirt mound was constructed against the wall as a 35 gallon drum was mounted with large pieces of lumber for support.  The individual kit connects with a 5 gallon bucket, thus, we were excited to witness at least 10 drip tapes radiating from the larger barrel.  We began to envision the entire 1 hectare field overlaid with super buckets kits growing dry season vegetables.  A small portion of the farm will always be reserved for training with the individual kits but these super kits will allow us to maximize production while maintaining simplicity.

In the image of drip irrigation, one can see how “The Word” left heaven to live a simple life.  As He “pitched His tent” among us, we labor to sit where the local farmers sit.  When the Messiah dwelled with us, He revealed how ultimate power is defined through simplicity.  Our prayer is that as local farmers share in the grace of improved agriculture that they will acknowledge the Most Merciful.  The truth is that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Bore hole is now providing water through a motorized pump until solar equipment arrives.

Harvesters check the new Super Bucket kit.