Helping Hands And Victories

In this entry we will be looking at the last two weeks of March. Different people assisted us, and strategic victories took place. First, an overview will be given of the work endeavoured by a foreign people. They assisted with much needed physical labour in the sphere of compost making. Focus will then shift to locals that have assisted us. We will also look at strategic victories that have been realised, while highlighting people who regularly work or provide guidance at This Land.

This Land has had the privilege of receiving help from a foreign people who come from the northern hemisphere. They come from a nation that is arguably one of the greatest nations of the 20th century - yes, it is Americans. A team from the United States doing a missionary trip with an organization called World Race have helped us. Prior to coming to Jeffreys Bay they did ministry in Eswatini. For readers unfamiliar with Eswatini, it is the new name for Swaziland.

The World Race team has been primarily involved with compost making and turning compost heaps. The first two days saw them preparing materials for compost and subsequently building a compost heap - our third heap for the year! It remains challenging to adequately teach new learners when preparing and building compost heaps. However, the team can be proud of the first compost heap that they built.

Making compost is not limited to only the building but also to turning the heaps. Turning is a concept that confuses many people, so here is a quick terminology lesson: when referring to turning a compost heap, it means to break down the heap and rebuild it. Why would one break it down and rebuild it? This action assists the organic material to break down at a faster rate, as the different inherent stages are repeated. The Americans assisted on three different days with turning compost heaps. One could observe that it was hard work, with sweat and tiredness characterising each day.

As the time spent turning the heaps increased, so the needed skills improved. Lastly, there was another task - the cutting down of trees with thin trunks to create wooden stakes. The wooden stakes are used to help map out markers and to create enclosed areas for the garden waste materials. Two friends of the writer assisted the Americans with this job.

During the two-week period it was not only Americans assisting us, but also locals. The last week of March witnessed a week of prayer led by one of the Global Challenge community members. On the 27th we had the privilege of hosting people for a prayer slot with specific focus to pray for This Land.

More than 20 people attended, walking the undeveloped ground, praying and asking God to move. Besides the presence of the people, it was encouraging to hear what different individuals had to share. As the encouraging words were shared, we prayed for the fulfilment of those words. Another encouraging act in the same week was a citrus farmer who donated his old nets.

These nets will be used to create an enclosed area to gather garden waste materials, among other things. We are thankful for the assistance, encouragement, and donations that we received from people in the two-week period.

Lastly, there have been people who have regularly worked or assisted us with this pioneering project. Mention will be made of three individuals, and it is interesting to note that all three are from a neighbouring country. First, a lady who has farmed in Africa has been generously providing first-hand knowledge. Julie's knowledge has served as guidance to focus on imperative elements, for example ensuring sufficient water is available. With a pioneering project, options and information flood one's brain, therefore receiving first-hand knowledge helps to make better and more concrete decisions. It is not only the knowledge we welcome, but being in the presence of Julie is a privilege.

The second person is Ronnie. Ronnie has been part of This Land since the middle of last year, and he has been developing his skills when it comes to the water system. His responsibility is to ensure that we have an adequate running water system. He brings energy and strength to the project, especially when compost heaps need to be turned.

Our third person to note is Lovemore. Lovemore works twice a week and carries wisdom and joy. Many times he has given practical solutions, while his friendly humour creates a cheerful atmosphere. A team requires someone who can provide a light atmosphere.

With these three people endeavouring with energy, recent strategic victories have unfolded. The victories take the form of Russian comfrey, wooden stakes, and water.

Russian comfrey is a plant with medicinal properties that assists with nutrients. It has the ability to bring deep nutrients to the soil surface, which benefits surrounding plants. This plant is good for mulching and adding to compost. We have been able to plant more than 10 plants, with the aim of future multiplication.

The second victory was the wooden stakes. The wooden stakes mentioned earlier have been used on the undeveloped ground. The first stakes have been planted, indicating important markers. It is a small step, but an important one, as it is the first step to indicate physical markers, for example roads and a pond. It gives practicality to the vision of the project.

Our third victory came in liquid form - water. We recently laid pipes to the new JoJo tanks we received from the One Year Team doing Global Challenge. If you are unfamiliar with the One Year Team and the catalyst work they provided, it will be best to read the blog entry titled "Work Week 2023." With the pipes ready, the first water was pumped. These tanks will provide water to wet the compost and windbreak trees.

The last two weeks of March provided helping hands from people who came from far and near. The World Race team assisted us with building a compost heap, turning heaps, and making wooden stakes. We witnessed members of the Global Community praying for This Land, which served as an encouraging morning, while a local farmer generously provided nets.

Lastly, the dedicated work of Julie, Ronnie, and Lovemore assisted with these strategic victories.