Another Gorgeous Day in Oditel

We are so blessed and thrilled to have spent yet another gorgeous day in Oditel. Blessed to be with the people we have befriended here, blessed to have accomplished what we have so far, and blessed for all of you back home that are supporting us with your prayers and encouragement while we are here. Thank God and thank all of you.

So today we finished planting all the Kasava cuttings that we had purchased and ended up purchasing some more so that we can plant the rest of the garden area that we have worked up. We thought the 15 bags that we originally purchased would fill the remaining garden area but it turns out we need about 6 more sacks. They will be here tomorrow so that we can finish the planting on thursday morning. And just like that our work in the garden is done for now. :) It is incredible how the church and the community has banded together to work in the garden and they have really taken ownership of the entire project. Come Thursday we (all of us working in the garden) will have completed quite a feat. Taking 5 acres of virgin land, working it up, hoeing and preparing the ground for seed, furrowing 2 1/2 acres and planting the entire thing. Luke and I are both really happy and at the same time very proud of and encouraged by the people here in the community of Oditel. And the first seeds that we planted are already poking up through the earth and growing strong and a community member has stepped forward to take charge of the management of the garden in our absence.

We also finalized the Micro-Loan program today with the team of church members here who will be running the program. Luke has done an incredible job of communicating the processes he would like to see in place for the program and working with them to establish practices that will insure success of the program. The management team are thrilled by the opportunity they now have to build their community and help the people here make better lives for their families. The program Luke has helped them put in place has the potential to completely turn this community into an area of prosperous and successful families.

We still have 3 days left here before we begin our journey homeward but already I am thrilled with what we have been blessed to have accomplished so far. It really speaks to the wonderful people here in this little village in the middle of nowhere Africa. They have big dreams, HUGE hearts and are working extremely hard to make things better here. All they need is a friend to come alongside them and help them to their feet. They now know that The River is that friend and we are here to walk and work with them and for that they are so incredibly grateful.

Peace and Love,

Adam

p.s. Sorry about not posting a picture tonight...the signal is awful.