Breaking the Silence

Months have gone by but I guess that there's not too many people out there who have noticed the absence of any more news on this blog. However, lots of things have been happening and here's a small start on the update. Looking at Bex's photos and video of her stay in Namibia, I got in touch with George and Anna Marie in Rehoboth and by various means were able to help and encourage them in their vision of a community garden for the mutual benefit of the Reho community - particularly those families whose lives have been affected by AIDS.

The land allocated to them for this project was literally a rubbish dump and the volunteers (mainly older women) worked extremely hard to create a trench system by hand digging out trenches 1 metre wide by 1 metre deep and 50 metres long, sifting out the rubbish and stones (the land was on an old river bed) and backfilling the trenches with the sieved soil mixed with fertilizer and compost. At the same time, exhibiting great faith, George began to construct a shed for the storage and preparation of the crops they hoped to grow. While Bex was there, a water supply was connected and following that a drip irrigation system was installed with old pipes etc. kindly donated by the horticultural institute who had been advising them.

The water supply is very costly and not economically sustainable so the answer was to drill a borehole. This was done successfully but difficulties with obtaining a license for water extraction has meant that borehole remains unused. It is hoped that a permit will be obtained before too long. In the meanwhile, two lots of crops have been planted and harvesting is under way on the second crop. I will put some photos of the garden on my website shortly - before and after.

The Reho Evergreen Garden project is still far from self sustaining but it's on the way. George and Anne Marie are a couple of great faith and confidence that God will supply all that they need to continue with it - this alongside the Care and Compassion ministry they already carry out in for Christ's Hope International in the poorer area of Rehoboth - supplying food and help to AIDS sufferers and their families - and the work of the orphanage where 30 plus children of all ages are cared for.

Madge and I are hoping to visit Rehoboth in June and would appreciate your prayers that we will be able to encourage and help in this work. God works in mysterious ways and when Bex went to Namibia last year we little thought how her going would affect our lives. Watch this space! Flash