Where we are

We are overwhelmed with gratitude by the response that we have had and take this as an open door from
the Lord to begin to step out, trusting that He will continue to supply for the need here.

We just wanted to give an update on where we are with the corn project. Our goal is to be able to distribute
corn (not for free, but at a greatly discounted price - we are thinking at this moment of giving a kintal of
corn which is usually priced at Q150 for about Q20) to families which we have identified as "at risk". We are
seeing several new families each week within our own clinic system, we have asked for the help of local
pastors in locating these families within their areas of influence, and we will meet with the 2 local mayors
today to enlist their help as well. We have a pretty good idea of where the most need is as the rains were
spotty so some areas were not effected at all while in other areas the crops were completely ruined.
Significantly, the areas that were most affected were the areas of the greatest spiritual darkness. These are
areas which have historically been very resistant to the Gospel and while the local pastors see this as a
judgment from the Lord, we see it as an open door to get the Gospel in. We have to be careful however, to have
the support of the local government as they are suspicious of any involvement from the "evangelicals".

Our first inclination was to buy a large amount of corn (60,000 - 70,000 pounds) but with further investigation,
we have realized that storage of that quantity may be a problem. Here in this country insects are quite a
problem for two reasons; 1) it never freezes, so the insect population never dies off naturally, and 2) because
this will be used for immediate human consumption, we cannot use chemical insecticides. So until we can
get silos in from the US (David and Joseph are in the US right now working on that) we will buy smaller
quantities from the local market and begin distributing to those families which we currently have identified.
We know that this will not just be a one time distribution but will continue until these families can harvest
their next year's crop (about a year from now). So we are thinking that we will make it available on a monthly
basis or possibly bi-monthly as the need arises. We know that once we begin, the word will spread like wildfire
and we are working to implement a screening system to be able to identify real need.

We are currently giving food packs -every two weeks - to 24 families. These are families who we will be buying
corn for as well starting tomorrow (when we can buy our first bulk corn - 40 kintales(4000 pounds).  Again, we
know how quickly information can be spread here, so we are anticipating an "opening of the flood gates" of need.

Please feel free to post a comment or e-mail if you would like more infomation!