As I recently returned to Project Samuel, I was greeted by all the workers, excited that I had returned with news from North America. The Project has come a long way since I’ve been gone. The guys have worked very long and hard to ensure that the oranges and maize field have been kept up. It felt great to be back home and everyday it feels more and more like my home away from home. Although it is hard sometimes, being away from friends and family in the United States, I know that my life serves a greater purpose. When it gets tough, God is my one true comfort.
I really did enjoy the time I had to spend back in the states, although I was thinking of Zambia and Project Samuel the whole time. There is just so much to be done here, and I know that every bit of it will benefit the lives of so many people. For instance, the training center is already being used by the local village churches as a place to hold choir gatherings and it doesn’t have a roof, doors, windows, or a proper floor. I feel a sense of urgency to complete that building so it can be the ministry center it was designed to be.
Another example is our maize field. Already we have become the largest employer for many miles but the fields here at Project Samuel will not only bring income to the village, but food to the orphans that will live at the project. There are a lot of preparations to be done because this year, we are planting over 9 acres of maize and an acre of cabbage and tomato, the three main food sources that are bought and sold throughout Zambia. It is amazing but already, Project Samuel is becoming a life changing work in the village of Kapopo.
The guys have been stumping (removing the stumps and root of the trees that have been cleared) and spraying for weeks so that when the rains come this year, we will be ready for planting. When the first rains come, we will plow the field again, disk the soil to break up the dirt, and layout rows for burying the seed. All this has to be done with a tractor, because to use oxen to do a field our size it would take weeks. Our harvest relies on the timing of our planting along with the timing of the rains and when the rains come, we don’t have weeks, but only days to get the planting done.
The need for our agricultural development is great; because this Project is going to one day rely on the income produced by our fields and orchards to support it. It has always been part of our vision to create a self sustaining project. In order for us to grow our agricultural department, we have to incorporate the tools and equipment needed to get the job done. Right now, a tractor is just one thing on the list of many.
Speaking of tools you would not believe how excited the guys were when I showed up with a gasoline powered grass trimmer from the United States. A simple tool like that makes these guys so proud to be a part of Project Samuel. I am hoping that when my Dad returns he can bring us another one so we can work even faster at preparing the over 250 acres we have at Project Samuel for future development.
When I was in town last I paid for the transformer and now am working on getting it installed. There are fees associated with the installation and scheduling that has to be done. I am confident that we will have it soon. I know that many of you are just waiting for us to get electricity so you can come and visit me!
I am very excited over what we are going to be accomplishing in the next few months. There are so many things on the list of things to get done. We have lots of financial needs and areas we need to grow in, but I know that God provides on a daily basis. Soon we will have what we need for the roof, tractor, tools, and supplies. Project Samuel is going to be such a major part of the lives here in Zambia, and every day as a step out on the porch of the Missions House, I see such an awesome potential in the kingdom of God. Thank you for letting me share with you the things that we are accomplishing and the lives that are being changed through our ministry here. If you would like to know more about Project Samuel click this link to watch our Project Samuel Video!
