Life Update.

Small corn sheller in background.

Looking back I realize that for those not following the Thede Seed over on Epistle I'm tardy writing this update. I hope you've enjoyed the last posts on how the Lord led and provided for us. 

So since mid-May the harvest has been completed and all the project corn shelled in one day by a hired machine. 

Weeds were more of a problem this year due to the good rains. Oxen were too slow getting many fields planted, so the weeds were too tall to be covered during plowing and planting and kept growing. Next year we look forward to using our own oxen instead of waiting for the neighbors to have free time for hire.

Winnowing soybean after beating piles of the plants
 with a stick. Sacks of corn on the cob can be beaten
 to shell it and then winnowed the same way.

The soybeans required extra hired help to weed and the weeds still caused reduced yield. The sunflower crop was damaged by cattle so it mostly failed. To avoid the neighbors livestock problem next year, production will be shifted to fields closer to the mission and the farther fields will be rented. The cattle problem was not anticipated to be so serious, also damaging the corn and soybeans. The reason is the offending families are all related so enforcement by the local headman has been hindered and the families even complain about cattle damage from eachother. 

Nam Doc Mai, one of our new mango varieties
blooming. Still small to allow fruiting but providing budwood.

The students harvested the small soybean yield from the orchard. It mostly failed due to using old seed, dry weather after planting, bird pests, some rabbit damage and weeds. Each problem magnified the next.  

The fruit trees are doing great with irrigation, many growing vigorously even now in our cool dry winter.

Fritz and I finished up 9th grade and took a few days break before slowly starting on our 10th grade work.

Pummelo, like a thick peel, non-bitter grapefruit.

July 18, we celebrated with Jembo Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College their 59th graduation sending out seven married couples and six single men into full time service. That same week the Jembo Wesleyan Church celebrated Pastor Paul's serving Jembo nearly 7 years. We join the church in praying for a new pastor as Pastor Paul is now serving in Kalomo.

Dry season means few clouds, more dust, and at the start cooler temperatures. As we head into August the temperatures are already climbing. The orchards are benefitting this year from the sunny days and irrigation project allowing continued growth and healing from the grafting that Cory did at the end of rainy season.

Mango still growing well with
beautiful new leaves in winter.

Anna moved from California back to Michigan in mid-June by driving across the country with Cory's dad who flew out to accompany her. She's studying for the Universal Bar exam that she will take July 28 and 29. We join her in praying for the Lord's direction for her next steps in applying for a new job.

Kris' mom continues to recover after having her left shoulder replaced in June. We are very thankful that both Eli and now Anna help her out when needed.

A puppy joined the agricultural project two weeks ago. At this time Teeg is putting on weight, learning the campus and barks at strangers and cattle on the campus. Hopefully in time he will also chase any monkeys that wander into the orchards.

African Weslean University

We enjoyed a weekend in Livingstone in early June. On the way we stopped at the new African Wesleyan University College and Dr. Smith gave us a tour. We were joined by a GP friend and together visited the rhinos at the national park, a couple restaurants, then went shopping before taking her to the airport. 

A sad note to add concerns the unexpected death of our niece Mical in July. Thankfully Eli and Anna represented the family but it was/is a hard time to be away from family. Such losses remind us to appreciate every day as a precious gift from God. Don't delay or put off telling people you love them: connecting, forgiving, confessing, apologizing, or encouraging. Make a difference today. Point folks to Jesus and let them know you care.