OTC Project Manager: Wessie van der Westhuizen

“His Story” in Wessie van der Westhuizen

It was brilliant chatting to Wessie – Project Manager of Operation Trumpet Call (OTC) and getting to know his story. I just missed his wife Somien who had left New Creation Church to pick up their children from school. I really look forward to meeting her. This is what Wessie had to say:

"I was busy doing National Service for 2 years when I gave my life to the Lord and subsequent to this felt God call me into full time ministry. I was 19 at the time and then pursued Theological studies in Pretoria for a few years It was during this time that I met my wife Somien, and we got married in 1988. We then went into full time ministry at the Hatfield Christian Church in Pretoria. We were privileged to be involved in this for 17 years, during which we were also leading a course in theological studies for 1st year students and being involved in Pastoral care in one of the city’s congregational areas. In 2006 God lead us to resign from full time eldership at Hatfield Christian Church towards pursuing His call on us for working more directly into the nations. We then joined New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI) and started attending Urban Life Church in Midrand. After a period of about nine months, we were invited unto eldership at that church until we finally moved to Zimbabwe at the end of 2009.

Our involvement in Zimbabwe started in July 2007, when God put it on my heart to do something about the extreme food shortages that were being experienced in the nation. I approached my eldership team and received their blessing to respond to this urge from the Lord. The first person I managed to get in touch with was a man called Dumi Ndlovu, a church leader from a church in Bulawayo. I asked him how we could be of help and he subsequently gave me a list of food items. We then collected food from our local church and made our first trip to Zimbabwe in August 2007. The initial decision was that we would continue doing this for at least 3 months and then settle on what the way forward would be. Soon other churches in South Africa joined in and national funds were made available in order for food to be purchased in bulk. As a church we were then approached and asked whether we could administrate this effort which by now had grown into a mass effort of getting food across the border We were thoroughly blessed when an International Christian Organization that is involved in supporting Christians worldwide called; Barnabas Fund heard about what we were doing and started supporting these efforts through funding the crisis in Zimbabwe for the past 3 years. We did realize thought that this was never going to be long-term solution and was therefore constantly asking God for the way forward

Meeting Scott Marques and Brian Oldreive in January 2008 was for that reason a God-ordained meeting. This enabled me to get involved in Foundations for Farming after attending a Champs Conference. The attempt was then made to turn the normal food runs into training events re FfF. It was during this time that we felt that God was speaking to us about getting involved in the country on a more permanent basis. After speaking to apostolic leaders both in South Africa and Zimbabwe, the release came and subsequent to that, the opportunity arose with Operation Trumpet Call to relocate to Zimbabwe and join the local team in this regard. We feel that God has lead us as a family to come and serve what the wider part of the Body is currently doing. There seems to also be a strong call on many more South Africans and other worldwide Christians to join in with the current focus of rebuilding Zimbabwe."

Wessie speaking to the OTC farmers gathered at New Creation Church

Thank you so much Wessie

By Molly Manhanga

3 keys to effective weed control

Craig Deall

Three keys to effective WEED control

Firstly, you must hoe weeds when they are SMALL (less than 25mm). By doing this you are not allowing them to seed and reproduce. Hoeing then is an easy task done with Joy as opposed to being an onerous task if you are trying to battle large weeds.

Secondly, ensure your management is good so that you get a good and even crop stand resulting in a quick CROP CANOPY which blocks out the sunlight that is so important to weed growth.

Craig Deall in the OTC demo plot at New Creation Church

Thirdly and most importantly is LATE WEED CONTROL. Hoeing is a 12 month of the year operation. By keeping your lands weed free throughout the year you are preventing moisture loss from the soil, killing any potential weed seeds that might germinate in future, and actually preparing your fields for the next season! Keeping your fields weed free throughout the year will result in a depletion of the weed seed pool and weed control gets easier and easier every season.

You are a NEW CREATION pt 2

Taps Chizana

Romans 3: 21 – 26
V21 “But now a righteousness from God apart from law has been known to which the law and prophets testify.” This scripture is saying the law and prophets. (The Bible) teaches of a righteousness from God apart from the law.
This is a way to be right with God………without having to keep any religious laws. This was good news to everyone because they realized that they couldn’t keep the law 100%, and they kept failing, so the idea of being right with God without having to keep the law was amazing!

V22 “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
• Those who put their faith in Jesus, receive this righteousness from God
• Having Faith in Jesus is “not work”…….. you didn’t do anything……you cannot be proud of it…….. it’s surrendering to Jesus.
V24 “We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”
• Justified when you believe in Jesus, in God;s books you are just as if you did not sin
• It’s for free…………. You did not pay for it, by hid grace, not by our works
• Through the redemption that came by Christ. Through the blood of Jesus which purchased our salvation. In the old testament when they sinned, they had to find a sacrifice so that god wouldn’t sacrifice them. At the cross, Jesus himself provided a sacrifice for us.
• When you consider this old creation (SEED) when it is in the soil, it relies on its own food storage to survive………..when it becomes a New Crewtion it relies on the sun, air etc.
• When you were an old creation, you relied on yourself, and lived for yourself, dead to sin………..but now that you are a New Creation, you rely on the (air) spirit, the sun (son of God)
In view of such GRACE, how then shall we live as “NEW CREATIONS?”
A maize plant is Very different from the seed. The New Creation is very different from the Old. Unfortunately, we have people who declare they are new creations, but they are not much different from the world.
1. We shall not live our lives trying to earn our salvation through works – we are already New Creations
2. We should live lives in obedience to god, as part of our worship to him. GRACE is not an excuse to sin…..infact, we should want to do good and please him.
3. Our lives should shine for Jesus.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
• Your fields should be the best in the village because you are a New Creation. What has happened in your heart should be seen in how you do your work.
• The way you treat your wife should be different because you are a New Creation.

You are a NEW CREATION pt 1

Taps Chizana

When a plant grows from a SEED……..IT’S A MIRACLE.
Do they look the same? No
Are they the same colour? No
Do they smell the same? This plant is a NEW CREATION

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
If you are a Christian, you are a new creation. This means you used to be an Old Creation.
When you were an old creation…………
• You were an unbeliever, you did not believe in God
• You were dead in your sins and you followed the ways of this world and the devil.

Ephesians 2:1 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the Kingdom of the air.”
In some villages, they hold ceremonies to try and find out who the witch doctor is???? If that village does not know Jesus, they and the witch doctor are all the same.
When you were an old creation…………
• You were heading for Hell!
• You gratified the desire of your flesh!
• Some people say, they are OK…….NO……You were an enemy of God
• You did not rely on God, but on your own strength

NOW WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU WERE TRANSFORMED FROM BEING AN OLD CREATION TO BECOME A NEW CREATION.
When we look at the seed……it became a plant, and we know God does it, but we may have to read our “O” Level Science books to get exact information……..that would be our text book. In the same way, it’s important for us to understand how you became a New creation….. because you used to be an old creation.

We all have sinned and did not deserve to be God’s children.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”
• If being right with God was dependant on our good works – none of us would be children of God!
• Now in the Old Testament the Israelites had to keep many laws, e.g. in Exodus, Leviticus, as well as the ten commandments so that they could be right with God.
• When they failed, they had to sacrifice animals often, a lamb without a spot/wrinkle for the forgiveness of their sins…….
• They had to keep the law to be righteous before God

Stay tuned for more......

The Five Giants in The Land pt 2

Craig Deall

Craig Deall shared with the farmers what the 5 giants were:

4. Crop Stand: By following the Foundations for Farming principles of zero tillage, no burning and leaving a good mulch cover, it is easy to get a good crop stand. You must also adhere to the management principles of being On time, doing things to a high Standard, without Wastage and with Joy. The soil that has been protected by mulch and is kept weed free, becomes softer and more friable after every successive year practicing Foundations for farming. It is therefore no problem attaining excellent crop stands. A person with a hoe is by far more accurate than a mechanical planter when sowing your seed!

5. Weeds: Mulch plays a large part in controlling weed because it blocks out the sunlight preventing vigorous weed growth. Ploughing does not in fact help because some weed seeds can survive in the ground for up to 40 years!

The Five Giants in The Land pt 1

Craig Deall

Craig Deall shared with the farmers what the 5 giants were:

1. Compaction: Tradition tells us that by ploughing we are loosening the soil to prevent compaction and to get better water infiltration. But in fact, the opposite is true! When rain falls on unprotected soil, the sheer weight of the water and it’s velocity on impact with soil actually COMPACTS it and it slumps. If you protect the soil with mulch, this cannot happen. Also, the roots from the previous crop act as scaffolding, holding the soil up preventing compaction and loosening the soil. When the soil structure is damaged by ploughing, the soil is more prone to compaction.

2. Pests: Rotations are key in slaying this giant! With good rotations you will not get a pest build up. Remember that a healthy plant has a waxy protective surface to their leaves, helping to protect the plant from pests. There are many methods of pest control without resorting to harmful chemicals. For example, stalk borer can be controlled by breaking the life cycle of the pest, by knocking the stalks over at ground level at harvest time. Another example is termites that might be seen in your mulch, but they are actually your friends. They much prefer to eat dead material, so they eat your mulch instead of your crop, at the same time benefiting the soil. Ploughing does not prevent pests – rotations do!

3. Disease: Once again, a healthy plant can resist most diseases. Rotations are very important in preventing disease build up. By ploughing you are damaging the soil structure and therefore pests and disease can build up in the soil because the soil is no longer in balance, with anaerobic and aerobic bacteria being killed.

"New Seed For Freedom" with Mbonisi Malaba

Mbonisi Malaba

What do you see in our fields and communities?
• Just as there are healthy and unhealthy plants, there are healthy and unhealthy Christians and healthy and unhealthy churches, communities, nations. What makes for healthy christians, lives, communities? The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
• How do we get righteous in our hearts? How do we get a free people, free community and so on. The Bible tells us that God exalts the humble and resists the proud. Luke 4:18 – 19 “The spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to releae the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

Mbonisi Malaba sharing God's word

• How do we get free? The Bible says in Galations 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Jesus wants us to be free.

What does the Bible say to us today?
• Romans 7:1 – 6 “Do you not know, brothers – for I am speaking to men who know the law – that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, is she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law wer at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.”
• Good law + sinful people = death
• When we belong to Jesus we serve from the inside out by the spirit, not by the outside in by the law. Not because the law is our master and we have to but because Christ is our husband and we want to. Not because obedience leads to salvation, but because salvation leads to obedience.

How must we live?
• The way to get our fields right is to get our hearts right.
• “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34

Feeding A Nation....much bigger than us!

Craig Deall

Craig Deall came from Harare and started off by sharing about how touched he was with the testimonies. The farmers are looking to God.

He then did a recap session on the practical aspects. He said:
1. OTC is about a life in Christ, a life of faith – the gospel with boots on.
2. We serve an amazing God who sees the problem, who has given us a solution and teaches us how to implement it.
3. Craig then spoke about the tools required, land preparation, nutrition, planting, top dressing, the five giants, weeds – the curse and post harvest.

READ ON to find out more about THE 5 GIANTS in THE LAND and WEEDS.

By Molly Manhanga

Testimonies from across Zimbabwe

Mbonisi Malaba praying for rain

1. Nyathi: God is doing wonders. There was rain in the beginning but we don’t have any rain now. The crops are small but because of Foundations for Farming, the crops are growing. It seems to be raining in other areas but not by us but we continue to trust God that it will come.

2. Esigodini: Our area has no rain. We have done good farming – what we have been taught. Although there is a lot of heat, our crops are still green and they are knee high. Our area is dry with a little rain. We are trusting God with our crops. Other people are asking us how we do it.


3. Masvingo urban – Mushandike to Chivi: It rained in November 2009. In December we had scattered rains. Our crops are green and knee high too. We have worked hard and are weeding our fields. We thank God that we have a crop.

4. Mbalabala: God is wonderful. We are doing exactly what we have learnt from here. There is hope with what we have done. Our crops are knee high and are looking wonderful. We are trusting the Lord and doing His work faithfully. As we mulch, we know we will get a little harvest. Those that are not in OTC will get nothing.


5. Gwanda - Beitbridge: We thank God for His love. There is no rain in our area and we received our seed late (8 December) With the little rain that has come, we planted the seed and hoped it would rain again. People are seeing that the rains are not coming. Some want to give up but our HOPE is still there.

6. Silobela: We thank God for what is happening. There are no rains but God is working wonders. All those on OTC are not going backwards. There is hope. Our crops are shoulder high. We thank God that those who trust Him will not be moved.

Mbonisi also encouraged the farmers saying that although we are going through challenges, others are also going through it. We are in this together.

We all then stood up and prayed for rain.

By Molly Manhanga

Feedback from Kezi, Bulawayo

Stephen Manhanga, leader of Crossroads Community Church read scripture from 11 Kings 6:14 – 23 and emphasized verse 16 & 17 which says “Don’t be afraid, the prophet answered. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, Oh Lord, open his eyes so he may see. Then the Lord opened the servants eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Mkhululi Ncube from Gqalaza testified:
God is doing wonderful things. The rains have not been good in Gqalaza. We received to date 130mm. The people who joined OTC will receive a bountiful harvest. Their hearts are committed to God and we believe the rains will come. We will be turning around in 2010.

Mbekezele Moyo from Mapane testified:
There hasn’t been much rain in our area. The farmers who have joined OTC have hope and we are trusting God to get a harvest with what we have sown.

Brilliant Khoza from Mablauwuni testified:
God is doing great things and miracles are happening at Ebenezer Training Centre. The rains come close to Ebenezer but don’t seem to reach us. We still continue doing things like mulching. We are steadfast and trust God for rains.

Stephen Manhanga giving feedback on Silozwe and Lushumbe
It’s encouraging that even though the crop is knee high and wilting in some places, the people continue to pray and trust God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by name humble themselves and pray, turn from their wicked ways, then sill I hear from heaven and heal their land.”

As a way of encouragement, Stephen shared about Elijah praying and for 3 years it didn’t rain. He prayed again and saw a cloud the size of a man’s fist and told the servant to tell the people that an abundance of rain is coming. Praise God!

Compiled by Molly Manhanga

Blowing The Trumpet into 2010

We held our first OTC meeting for 2010 and it was excellent.

Stephen Manhanga as MC at OTC

Stephen Manhanga was the MC and he opened up by sharing from the word of God:

Psalm 121:1 – 8 “I lift up my eyes to the hills from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil. He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” And

Psalm 122: 1 “I was glad when they said to me let us go to the house of the Lord.”

We then had an awesome time of worship as everyone raised their voices to exalt the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings – King JESUS. It was beautiful.

By Molly Manhanga

Planting Maize - Practical Demo with Alan Norton

Alan Norton training the farmers at New Creations Church, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Alan Norton taught the farmers how to top dress their maize plants: with heavy soil, you top dress once but in sandy soils you top dress twice. Top dressing takes place 3 weeks after emergence. You can top dress with urea or ammonium nitrate. If you use urea, it needs to be covered.

Alternate top dressings of chicken soup made from chicken manure is being looked into as well as a natural herb called comfrey.

Alan Norton training the farmers

By Molly Manhanga

Planting Maize - Practical Demo with Brian Oldreive

Brian Oldreive training the farmers at New Creations Church, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Brian Oldreive taught the farmers how to mark and dig their holes in straight lines with the correct spacings according to the region they are in i.e. region 1 = high rainfall and while region 5 is low rainfall patterns. He demonstrated how to put basal fertilizer in each hole and cover it slightly. Three seeds were put into each planting station and the holes were covered leaving a level surface.

The principles he spoke on were, on time, to standard, without wastage and with joy.

Brian Oldreive doing a practical demonstration.

By Molly Manhanga

"Breaking Tradition" with Joseph Dhlamini

Joseph Dhlamini

How do we break tradition?

Joseph Dhlamini
shared an excellent word on how to break tradition. How do we take this message into the communities?

What is tradition?
Tradition is customs and practices from the past that are accepted as standards of behaviour for the present. They have two dimensions:

1. Spiritual
2. Physical

The only answer is the life-changing gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOW?
People can challenge the status quo. Traditions can be changed. Who can challenge what is on the ground and how?
1. Nature of the Call: Prophetic nature for the church (prophetic embodiment), understanding of the people you are ministering to and the nature of the people you are carrying the message to.

Life issues are complex.

OTC meeting at Victory Fellowship

Isaiah 49:24 – 25 and Isaiah 61:1 – 4
a) Calls for prayer
• Reference to God and His word and ways of how He does things in our teachings.
• Unselfishness of Christ: nature of man, root cause of everything is selfishness. True and lasting change comes from the heart.

b) 2 Things:
• Saviour mentality
• True and lasting change comes from the heart. Our number 1 priority is to remove any obstacle that will cause their hearts not to receive and hear the thoughts of God.

People need leadership. They need to trust you. Come with LOVE. Love is wanting the highest good for that community.

HUMILITY: Esteem others more important than you. Jesus won the hearts of people.

Practically: How do we do it?
1. Always consider protocol
2. Allow God to do it
3. Start small: the principle of doing something small and excellently and trust God to add.
4. Implementation: Create a form/standard as you are going against culture and tradition.

Compiled By Molly Manhanga

"....Repentence is violent....." - Scott Marques

Scott Marques

Scott Marques, now based in Mozambique, came and shared an excellent word with the farmers at Operation Trumpet Call. Scott is the Apostolic leader within the Newfrontiers Churches in Zimbabwe and regions beyond. He preached really, really well and connected with the people in a way that only Scott can.

He picked up on what Pastor KC said on that God has given us a mandate to manage the resources. Man hasn’t cared for the resources of Africa. Where there is degradation, we need to ask what has gone wrong? There are many people going to church and yet there is poverty. Church leaders need to stand and say something is wrong, something has to change, lets be real. We need to be God’s word in action and want the spirit of God and His righteousness. Idolatry is when our HOPE is in man and not GOD.

God has given to us everything for life in Godliness. God is calling his saints whom He designed, to be fruitful and multiply. God is in control. God is everything to “me”, says Scott. Paul says, he is in chains and the gospel is multiplying. The problem is not rain and soil but the heart.

Change the heart of man to change the face of Africa.

Scott preaching at the OTC meeting held at Victory fellowship

The church needs to stand against idols and live Isaiah 58. True repentance is active. Love Jesus with everything in us. Repentance is violent. If it stands against Jesus, burn it. As leaders, we need to declare that our faith is in Jesus. We can then equip the saints when we are free. Violent repentance in the way we love each other. God took our shame, injustice and every sin to Himself on the cross. “I love you because Jesus loved me.” We need the power of God and we need to know the grace of God. We also need restoration with God and restoration with one another. Do things that show repentance. Show our love by what we do: how we spend our time, energy and money. Isaiah 58 – true fast. Make a plan for the poor, help those in the yoke of poverty and healing will appear.

The Church can feed the nation. The character of Christ is in the body of Christ. Let’s change our cultural norms to reflect Jesus norms.

Issues of the heart are not only in farming. Let us violently let go of the things of this world.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

The Five Fold Ministry with Pastor KC

Pastor KC

Pastor KC, Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, stood in for Dr Goodwin Shana and preached an awesome word on the 5 Fold Ministry. His message was taken from Ephesians 4: 12 – 16. This is what he said:

Why is the 5 fold ministry given? It is given for the equipping of the saints. Saints are people who are alive, not dead. Equip means to make fit, to train so that we are fully qualified for service, to do the works of ministry. Works of ministry doesn’t only mean being an usher or leading in the praise and worship team. It is broader – to minister to our community, to our nation – works of serv

ice.

Genesis 1: 27 – 28 we see works of service given. God’s mandate in Genesis 1 is connected to Ephesians 4: being fruitful and productive in whatever area God has entrusted to us – the area of our calling. Jesus wants productivity and fruitfulness. The teaching on Foundations for Farming: God anoints us to do whatever He has called us to do. Exodus 31

We need to be filled with the spirit of God to design artistic works. As farmers, we, have an ability from God to farm, we can bring about food security in our nation.

Pastor KC preaching at Victory fellowship in Bulawayo

We all have different areas of calling and this ability comes from heaven to do his work. The church needs to equip saints for works of service to fulfil what God has commanded us to do. When farming, we need to enjoy it. God has placed us there and he anoints us for the task. Annoint means enable. God enables us to farm and we get productive rewards which turns to financial rewards. As farmers, we need to manage our resources by applying the principles of Foundations for Farming. God has given us dominion over the earth.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Snapshot on "Servant Leadership"

Alan Norton

Alan Norton spoke from Matthew 5 on the “Call to be a leader and to remember the poor.”

In short he expounded on:

1. The Call to be a leader
2. The Call to be a leader dependent on God
3. The Call to be a courageous, obedient leader
4. The Call to be a serving leader

Never before has there been a greater need for leaders of integrity and excellence. God calls us to be servants and God calls leaders to remember the poor.

By Molly Manhanga

"The Call".....with Dr Shana

Dr Goodwill Shana

Listening to Dr. Goodwill Shana preach about “The Call” from Nehemiah 1:5 – 11 was just brilliant. I love the way he connects with people and his messages are so relevant for the time and season we are in here in Zimbabwe. This is what he said:

1. The Call to be passionate and remorseful at the state of the Nation. As Christians, we need to be moved at what is happening.

2. The Call to prayer: We have seed in our hands and prayer in our hearts. Prayer is a solid foundation. 1st is repentance and 2nd is prayer. Be a person of prayer who depends on God. It’s not by might, nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord. The call today is to seek God passionately in prayer.

3. The Call to return to the Kingdom: The Kingdom of God is a collection of churches, those who call themselves the children of God. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. To change Zimbabwe, Christians need to rise up and show the light. Look at Naaman and the little girl. The little girl had a kingdom mentality. The Kingdom of God has all the answers. One of our answers is Foundations for Farming. This is a call to return to Jesus Christ and to build His Kingdom.

4. The Call to wisdom and preparation: Nehemiah began to prepare. The call is to be a prepared people: know what to do and when to do it. If you want to touch Zimbabwe – be a people prepared.

5. The Call to courageous vigilance and diligence: Nehemiah 2 and 4. Two people opposed Nehemiah and these were Tobiah and Sanballet. We will face opposition within and without. We need to be diligent, vigilant and courageous, not intimidated and defeated.

6. The Call to rebuild: Nehemiah 2:20. Our foundations have to be sure. Foundations matter – the starting principles matter. Zimbabwe needs to sort out it’s foundations for proper rebuilding to take place. The foundations of poverty need to be fixed.

7. The Call to unity and diversity: Nehemiah 3 building of the sheep gate. Zimbabwe cannot be rebuilt unless the church rises up. Only the church can build. The men of Jericho had a new mindset. They saw God do the impossible. We need to change our mindsets. When God is involved, nothing is too big. We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. We all have a role to play. We need to have a different mindset and for this to happen, we need to be full of the word. If Zimbabwe is to change, be FULL of the WORD.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Common questions about OTC.....

Peter Cunningham

Peter Cunningham answered some of the most common questions asked about Operation Trumpet Call:

M.M: What is the vision or heart of OTC?
P.C: OTC is the preparation for revival. It is a call to prepare the way for the Lord; a call for the Church to unite, to repent(Isaiah 58 fast and repent – ACTION) It is a call to the Church to stand in our Nation of Zimbabwe.

M.M: How many people is OTC expected to help in Zimbabwe?
P.C: OTC will reach over 1 million people in the 3 years.

M.M: Why work so closely with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe(EFZ) and Dr Goodwill Shana?
P.C: The EFZ represents the major part of the Church in Zimbabwe. It is a call to Church unity so it’s best to start with the main co-ordinating body. Dr Goodwill Shana leads the EFZ and is a great guy.

M.M: How long is OTC expected to go on for?
P.C: Initially, a three year period.

M.M: What is the expected outcome of OTC in the next year and years to come?
P.C: For me, it is Church unity, Church change, a real size and picture of God, of revival. The numbers of people planting and the crops is secondary.

By Molly Manhanga

Foundations for a Successful Crop pt 2

Foundations for Farming – Formerly Farming God’s Way
Revelation to Feed A Nation

Brian Oldreive

Foundations for a Successful Crop:
Step by step procedure for growing maize

6. Planting: Plant after good rains in November, preferably before 25 November. (Two and a half bags of grain per hectare are lost for every day you plant after 25 November – so plant on time), plant your seed within 2 days of soaking rainfall, your seeds should be planted at a depth, which is the same as the length of a matchbox, place 3 seeds in each hole. These will ultimately be thinned to 2 per hole, which will give a plant population of 44,000 plants per hectare, plant in a straight line across the row. Cover your seeds carefully with soil until it is level with the surrounding soil surface (no clods or stones over the seeds).The should be no mulch in the soil, which is used to cover the seed – full soil to seed contact is vital for seed germination. Cover as much of the field as you possibly can with mulch.

7. Weed Control – Three Vital Principles: Hoe the weeds when they are very small. Make sure you have a good crop canopy (roof) that shades out the weeds. This is achieved by having high standards and precision of planting holes, seed placement and covering resulting in eveness of growth and a full plant population. Keep weed free throughout the year, especially at the end of the harvest! Hoe just below the surface. Cut off the roots – except for creeping grasses which must be sprayed or carried out to effectively eradicate them.

8. Thinning: Thin to an average of two plants per hole. This is very important! Thin the weakest plant or middle plant if three emerge. Leave three in the hole where one emerges on the previous hole so that there is an average of two per hole.

9. Top Dressing Fertiliser (If available): Apply a minimum of 5ml of AN fertilizer (or 200ml chicken manure) per planting station about two weeks after emergence when the plants are about 20cm tall. If you are able, apply a second dose of the same amounts just before the maize tassles. Place the dressing a minimum of 5cm from the stem base on the slope side of the plants. Place it equidistant from each plant in the planting station.

Foundations for a Successful Crop pt 1

Foundations for Farming – Formerly Farming God’s Way
Revelation to Feed A Nation

Brian Oldreive

Foundations for a Successful Crop:
Step by step procedure for growing maize

1. Tools Required: hoe, 5ml, 8ml & 12ml cups or 450ml tin can for manure or compost, 75cm measuring stick, measuring string with markers spaced every 60cm, fertilizer or manure or compost, seed.

2. Land Preparation: do not burn, stump and clear by chopping the plants off at the roots, do not plough, keep weed free.

3. Preparing Planting Stations: plant across the slope, hole out 75cm x 60cm, dig holes a hoe width wide and 8cm deep for fertilizer or 15cm deep for manure, place soil heap on downslope side, complete by at least three weeks before expected beginning of the rains i.e. by end of October in Zimbabwe.

4. Liming: (Optional) This is necessary if you have acidic soils, try to get a soil analysis done if you can, the amount of lime necessary will be according to your soil analysis, but 10ml should be a good general amount, place lime evenly across the base of the hole.

5. Fertilisation: The amount of fertilizer you use will be based on your yield targets and your available resources, ensure that your fertilizer or manure is available by the end of October to apply before the rains, if you are going to use inorganic fertilizers, apply a 12ml cup of maize compound fertilizer to each hole, if you are going to use manure, compost or ant heap apply a 450ml tin full, place it evemly across the bottom of your hole, cover the fertilizer slightly until you have your required seed planting depth in your hole and wait for the rains.

Foundations for a Profit

Foundations for Farming – Formerly Farming God’s Way
Revelation to Feed A Nation

Brian Oldreive

Foundations for a Profit:

Profitability is possible if you faithfully apply these management principles of doing everything:

1. On Time: Plan ahead, Prepare well, Start early, Never be late.

2. At A High Standard: Do every operation and detail as well as you can with no shortcuts. Be honest and honorable in all you do.

3. Without Wastage: Don’t waste time, soil, water, sunlight, seed, nutrients, labour, energy, opportunity etc.

4. With Joy: If you do these first three things faithfully without self pity, complaining, blaming others, making excuses, but with thankfulness, there will be no need to fear and hopelessness and you will have hope and joy which gives you strength.

Foundations for Production

Foundations for Farming – Formerly Farming God’s Way
Revelation to Feed A Nation

Brian Oldreive

Foundations for Production:
The Foundations for Farming principles can be applied in the smallest back yard garden to the largest commercial farm. On a small scale all work is manual and requires nothing more technical than a hoe.

Typically, you’ll be able to grow sufficient food to:
1. Feed your family
2. Sell surplus to help buy next year’s inputs
3. Sell and make a profit and pay for other living expenses
4. Give to others

We have testimonies of farmers who, by adopting Foundations for farming methods, have increased their yield over tenfold i.e. 0.3 tonnes to over 3 tonnes.

Profitability is essential for sustained production and development. The only alternative to profitability for survival in the short term is begging or theft, both of which cause poverty in the long term.