Hard drive

We had a very special visit last week, getting to talk coffee for a few days, and about opportunities to partner even more with one of the supporting Churches through exporting some coffee to them to roast and use/sell in the US.  

We have been praying about God making such connections, as using coffee as a long term vehicle to help the mission as well as help people here, and do more by selling at a better price (right now the local markets are only offering about what it costs us to pay people to pick the coffee...so we make almost nothing or even lose money...in other words, prices are very low.)  

Obviously there are many options out there, so making those connections, and connections with roasters/importers that can help us improve and do things better to have a better product are hard to come by.

So we are trying to take advantage of this opportunity to spring forward, and hopefully generate some extra income to turn that around into the farms to improve where our workers live/work, and as well the safety conditions.  

Case in point...getting up to the farm in Sampedrana proved impossible, or impassable as the case may be.  There was simply too much misting/rain and then mud, to get up the mountain safely.  We were able to get up far enough to find a spot to turn around safely and get back...but it was a harrowing ride.  Falling down the mountain was not imminent, but getting horribly stuck and having to leave the truck overnight seemed a very strong possibility many times.  Prayer works friend, believe me.  

The Ford was almost stuck more times than I can count.  

I have had enough. 

We need to put more time and money into the road.  Widening it is not really that much of an issue, although some effort can be given to that.  The main thing that needs to be done is rent a backhoe, a dumptruck...and make as many trips with gravel as we can to the areas that need it the most.  

It'll cost more than $3,000...but the peace of mind of being able to go, or return, without fear for our workers...it just has to be done.  They drive well, but this is not tenable long term.  

Now...I do not have $3,000 to do that, so we will need help.  We have received over $600, but obviously more will need to be found to do this right, with enough and well placed enough to not wash away or just not be effective of giving grip over the present mud.  

If you are so moved, you can donate here

In other news, the work in Las Botijas is looking up.  Rony and his family are doing well, and were a blessing to get to chat with as they have settled into their new location (having moved there to work with us from Sampedrana.)  

They have the Church building all decorated, and are holding services...mostly by popular demand, with 15 faithful attending already.  This was not exactly a planned move to begin a Church this way, but great to see them so moving.  We are looking forward how we can help them there.  As ultimately that is why we are there!

Also though how we can help them improve and expand the agriculture work.  There is plenty of room yet on the properties for more coffee, it is just a matter of money, effort, and time to get the nurseries going...and seeing less open green and more leafy greens.

There is so much going on in both farms, both physical and spiritual...hard to grasp, but please continue praying for the workers' safety, for their testimony, and for the funding to do all this.  

Why?  To provide employment, to give testimony to good working practices, to help Churches, to produce a great product, and to use that to help spur the mission along in its different areas through ultimately selling that product, making us less dependent on funds from abroad.

There is no finish line per se...but I can see the progress being made, and so many opportunities on the horizon, it is exciting stuff!  fac

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