Field Trip to See Farming God's Way, By Cory

Thursday the 12th at 6:50 I departed with the Bible College students and teachers to Overland Mission to see their Farming God's Way gardens and hear  their experience. 

The 62 passenger bus was nearly full. I have been suprised how enthusiastic the students have been before and during the field trip. 

I enjoyed the singing of the students, (they take turns serving as the college choir for student chapel twice a week) and  I'm sure the high school bus driver also enjoyed these passengers more than his usual passengers.

We stopped in Pemba to pick up lunch that we reserved for take out to eat later at the mission.  

The bus drove slowly and safely which was fine but with the stops at the restaurant, for tire air and missing the mission driveway due to the road being recently paved, we arrived an hour late, close to 10am.

Corn and peanut fields

Several of the Overland staff taught a summary of what is normally a two day course. They offered to come to Jembo to do a second day which was enthusiastically accepted, the principal saying early next term will be good (next week is finals for this 2nd trimester).

The 3 foundational requirements of Farming God's Way:

1. Biblical principles 

2. Technology 

3. Management

The three are integrated for high yield agriculture. 

So principles from the Bible and nature are used with technology and the resources God has provided and the work is done at the right time to high standards.

Chicken or poultry "tractors" are mobile cages.

When I first started reading about Farming God's way I was suprised to learn it started not far from here in western Zimbabwe.

I have always liked using mulch but here in Africa the termites are aggressive and eat up mulch quickly. 

 Apparently it isn't a big problem since usually the crop plants mostly cover the ground by the time most of the mulch is gone.

In the afternoon before we left we toured the farm and gardens. 

The mission is only about 6 years old. 

When the land was purchased from the chief, the local people laughed because the land was overgrazed and degraded. 

Where there was some grass it was only a few inches high. 

People are moving out of the area to more fertile areas because after about 4 years the land is no longer fertile.

Soaking bean beetles to make
 spray to kill bean beetles

The first year the 3.5 acre corn field gave only 2 110 pound bags of corn. 

2nd year 7

3rd year 28 

4th year 52 

5th year the worst drought "ever", 20

6th year 101

Each year on the same field (or at least the same size field, I think the corn and peanut would be rotated, according to the Farming God's Way teaching) and they hope to have higher yield this year. 

It is an open pollinated local corn variety and only using manure and ashes. 

101 bags per 1.5 hectare works out to about 53 bushels per acre, which is about 1/4 USA yields but it is without plowing and just local inputs and thier own saved seed, so the only expense is labor.

Almost all the corn fields in their area failed in the drought year but they had a modest harvest.

I assume this is because they prepare the fields in the month or two before expected rain so when rains come the seeds can be quickly planted. 

Grass is cut from surrounding fallow fields as mulch which helps conserve moisture. 

The mulch also reduces weed germination.

Their soil was nearly black instead of the usual grey or brown of soils in this part of Zambia.

There is a farming God's way website that has the details and also tells how it was started by a tobacco farmer when he realized he was harming peoples health.  https://farming-gods-way.org/

A common Zambian meal.
Corn is usually white and
prepared like a thick version of grits.
The corn is used to scoop up the chicken
gravy and greens

Mid- February ! Thoughts about blessings.

 How can each day feel long while the months of 2026 continue to zip right along?

In only 4.5 weeks those of us below the equator will transition into fall. All and all the summer temperatures here have not been bad as the continued rains cool things off along with the cloudy weather. 

The maximum temperature we have reached in the house is 84.7˚ F. 

Now with this blog, e-mail updates and the Epistle site I'm wondering how to continue to share information. Should the blog be 'extra' information or repeat from the other sites? 

I'm going to try to post at least once a month. This is my goal!

Please share your opinion should you have one. I would like to know your thoughts.

As the other two methods lean more to shorter bits of information I'm leaning to this being more about longer topics, more photos, or more about thoughts... pondering if you wish.

Often life here feels a bit like juggling...in order to have drinking water Cory runs water from the kitchen sink through a UV filter. We have three 5 gallon jugs, one large Coleman cooler, a smaller jug and some pitchers.

So about once a week he works to fill these. A few weeks ago we lost electricity for a few days when due to the rains two large metal electric line towers fell over. 

Without electricity we don't have running water. We have several 5 gallon buckets in the kitchen to use when the pump isn't working. 

While we could pour the water though the filter with some difficulty it wouldn't make sense without power as the UV light wouldn't be functional (we do have limited solar electric but avoid using it for sensitive electronics).

So need power, need running water, need time to process the water. Then I think of those who walk miles for dirty water and have no way to filter or clean the water before drinking...I am blessed.

Then I think of how often I showered in water good enough to drink while growing up and I wasn't thankful. Didn't even think of it. This makes me sad. It also makes me wonder at all the blessings I'm not thankful for in my life now? How many things do I take for granted on a daily basis? 

Lord, open my eyes to the multitude of gifts that You bless me with daily. May I not only notice but acknowledge them with gratitude and a thankful heart. Amen.

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January Update

Only one week remains in January! While the days individually may feel long, all together they continue to  pass rapidly.

The field planting is winding down as we're in the middle of rainy season. The rains have been more than average, encouraging the growth of crops and trees.

Cory's been grafting both mango and avacodo trees as time and budwood maturity allow (the new varieties of mango are still small trees).

Fritz and I also completed the milestone of being half way through 9th grade!

The Bible students returned and started second trimester classes.

Post-holiday routine adds some predictibiltiy to our days, however having gone 3.5 days without elecricity or running water, followed shortly by the pump going out and no running water again for two days, one must remain flexible.

Cory drove a few hours to Zimba on Thursday to tour the Africa Wesleyan University College grounds with a group of church district overseers led by Dr. Henry Smith and Bishop Juden.  He also discussed landscaping plans with Dr. Smith.

Library

As Cory passed through Choma he took advantage of the oportunity to shop and also pick up our new internet system. The internet provider we used in the past hasn't been as reliable this year so we've upgraded to assist in school, Kris' continuing medical education needs, and communication. 

I will try to post here a couple times a month for those accustomed to following the blog. 

Should you wish to see short videos and updates you can still sign up for Thede Seed at Epistle. On Wensdays I'm posting a short update video for the week and prayer requests. Then at other times I may post something I think folks may find interesting. 

We've received positive comments and it also allows us to 'chat' back and forth with personal messages which is fun. Cory and Fritz have both helped me post a couple of 'taste testing' videos.

You can sign up here: https://the-thede-family.epistle.org/subscribe 

Traditions as we cross-over into 2026

2025. Many of the holidays this year have been different: Valentines Day in India; Mother's Day in California;
Thanksgiving split up with one side of the family in a hospital conference room; Christmas in church-just the three of us. 

The 4th we spent at Miner Lake as we often did when I was a child with Dad's side of the family.

Been thinking of traditions and why they are important. Because of the memories of things past and hopes for sharing them in the future I think.

This is why this week I made 'Chex Mix' without any Chex or any other cereal. Because I remember the New Years celebrations with Mom's Chex Mix...and how many trips to Haiti or the one to Africa when she brought some of the treat for me. 

While I shared a bit with the kids, often most of the bag was for me, because I know she made it for me.

While the ingredients change each time, memories and the feelings of family and love remain.

Times when the ziplock bag contained many small crumbs by the time the travels in the suitcase were completed. Or the time we made our version in Fauche, northern Haiti but one batch burned to a crisp while Cory, Eli and Anna played computer games.

Traditions.. important. Often changed up throughout the years or over decades and generations of family.

One thing that remains is the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior and the importance of family. 

Not all family is connected by genetics and blood but important just the same.

Families change too over time with members passing and new ones being added.

We really don't know when a tradition is about to change or disappear. The same is true for family members and friends.

Therefore it is of great importance to appreciate the here and now.      Stay present!

Also very important to be intentional. To enjoy traditions with those we love. To forgive. Repair. Reach out to heal and strengthen bonds. Use the time we have now wisely because we don't know when things will change. 

So as we 'cross-over' to 2026 I wish you courage in the days to come. That you'll wisely know what traditions to keep, change, or start. To be an encouragement to those you cross paths with in the coming year.