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A letter from Nancy Collins in the U.S. (Regional Liaison for East Central Africa)

November 2014 - Transformation Through Agriculture

Dear Family and Friends,

CCAP Zambia Health Coordinator Sara Zimba: Rev. Gertrude Banda, Chasefu farm coordinator; Rev. Gerald Phiri, CCAP Zambia Deputy General Secretary with mission co-worker Luta Garbat-Welch

 

Newly cleared field at Chasefu Model Farm

 

Chasefu farm coordinator Rev Gertrude Banda in newly cleared Chasefu field

We found Rev. Gertrude Banda out in the middle of the newly cleared 13-acre field at Chasefu Model Farm. The field, which just months before had been dense Zambian bush, was cleared by hand in the traditional Zambia fashion—men using machetes and axes to cut the trees and bushes and using oxen to drag the heavy trunks and branches so they could be stacked for burning. In all honesty the field was not that much to look at—just a big open space. But for the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia (CCAP Zambia) that field represented the Church leaders’ dreams of addressing the poverty of rural pastors and subsistence farmers; it represented their hope of improving life for thousands of Zambians.

The situation for rural pastors and subsistence farmers is grim; 65 percent of Zambians survive through subsistence farming on plots of land an acre or less.  70 percent of subsistence farmers are women and many of them are household heads. Maize is the staple crop and it depends on rain for a good harvest. In 2004, 75 percent of small-scale farming households had average annual incomes of about USD 219, with an average household size of 6.6.

Through the training program under development at Chasefu Model Farm, CCAP Zambia expects to increase the income of subsistence farmers by 25 percent. The training program will teach rural residents about appropriate farming technology and how they can access the most current agricultural information on—for example—best maize and soybean seeds. It will provide knowledge of suitable sustainable inputs (i.e., composting), crop diversification, and improved care for animals. The program will also teach theological students and local subsistence farmers how to improve value of produce through post-harvest processing and access to markets.

Over the next three years, as the farm matures and Rev. Gertrude develops the agriculture training curriculum, CCAP Zambia is targeting the following impacts:

  • Farming methodologies of 160 women and 20 theological students are improved and household income increased by 25 percent

  • 800 children are able to afford uniforms, shoes and books to attend school.

  • Some children are able to continue to secondary school.

  • Basic household nutrition is improved for 1,000 persons.

  • Newly graduated theological students act as extension agents, spreading the improved farming methodologies to their congregations and communities.

  • CCAP Synod of Zambia church membership increases as a result of this holistic ministry.

  • The Government of Zambia recognizes CCAP Zambia as partner in improving quality of life for Zambian citizens.

The field Rev. Gertrude managed to have cleared may be relatively small, but CCAP Zambia’s vision for the future of the farm is very big—and the impact on Zambian lives could be enormous!

Nancy Collins with Rev. Chris Foster at Providence Presbyterian Church, Providence, R.I.

 

Mrs. Nellie Tembo, Rev. Daniel Tembo, Rev Dr. Victor Chilenje and Nancy leading worship at ZZM Network conference

 

Nancy presenting at ZZM Network Conference

During our August 2014 visit to the farm we were thrilled to see the concrete progress and to introduce new mission co-worker Luta Garbat-Welch to the project. Luta arrived in Lilongwe, Malawi, in July with her husband and 1-year-old son. Luta, who has a master’s degree in public health, is serving as community health facilitator in Malawi, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. She is responsible for helping African church partners in her five countries develop and implement Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and other community initiatives addressing underlying causes of poverty and ill health—such as lack of information about malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrhea and malnutrition—all preventable through basic education. She also serves as a resource for PC(USA) congregations interested in technical and program information.

World Mission is lifting up ways of growing the Church by equipping church leaders to be agents of transformation—through training that enables leaders to reflect theologically and to lead their community toward life-changing solutions. Chasefu Model Farm and its partner institution, Chasefu Theological College, where CCAP Zambia began training theological students in 2007, are wonderful examples of this approach. Through a theological training program that incorporates best practices of sustainable agriculture, CCAP Zambia is beginning a process that will truly have the ability to transform lives spiritually and physically. May God richly bless these efforts.

I invite you to continue supporting this ministry we share, through your voice, your daily living, your financial contributions, and your prayers. Together, and by the Grace of God, we will continue to transform this world in which we live.

My year based in Tulsa is rapidly coming to a close. From August through October my time in Tulsa has been minimal. Instead I have travelled—first in Zambia and Rwanda, and then two intensive but wonderful months speaking in PC(USA) congregations across the country. I now have November and December to catch up on work, spend time with family, and enjoy the holidays. I am especially looking forward to listening to a wide variety of Christmas music. I will also be preparing to move out of my Tulsa apartment and supporting Charles as he settles into new housing. He will continue to be based in Tulsa as he pursues a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree.

One of my strongest experiences as I participated in worship and programs in approximately 30 churches across the U.S.A. over the past two months was assisting with communion. As the people came forward for the bread and wine, I looked into the eyes of each individual and said to each “Blood of Christ shed for you.” During those times the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was brought very near to me. May Christ who prefers the poor and outcast and who shed his blood for each of us be very near to you during this advent and Christmas season. May He bless you and draw you closer to himself.

In Christ,
Nancy

The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 141
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 154
Read more about Nancy Collins' ministry

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