Foundations for Farming Testimony

1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."


A former gold panner, Makesure Muchenge, has become one of the best conservation agriculture trainers in Africa. Many Non Governmental Organisations dream of having such stories from their development programmes. However, Makesure wasn’t the product of a programme, but his success was the result of a relationship. Specifically, Makesure was befriended by former Zimbabwean commercial farmer, Boet Pretorious. When the two first met, Makesure was living a destructive lifestyle, spending what little money he had on alcohol, rather than caring for his family or investing in his livelihood. Boet, a Christian dedicated to training the poor in Africa to feed themselves using Foundations for Farming, loved and mentored Makesure and helped him turn his life around.

Since those early days, there has been real transformation in Makesure’s life. He no longer struggles with drunkenness and is producing enough as a farmer to provide for his family's needs as well as others in his community. In fact, Makesure has gone on to win a farming award and been offered some of Zimbabwe's prime land as a prize. However, Makesure turned down this offer of land to continue helping his community. Rarely do you hear of “rags to riches” stories about rural Zimbabwe. It is rarer still to hear of a farmer rejecting a sure way to more riches to stay and help his or her community for no gain.

The key to Makesure's success has been following the Foundations for Farming methodology of minimal tillage and no burning but using mulching, crop rotation and high management instead, Makesure insists however that his successful farming enterprise is more a result of his relationship with Boet, which has changed his heart and attitude to life. Having understood and felt the love and grace of God from a white, former commercial farmer, Makesure says he decided to also become a Christian. Learning to be faithful with what he has been given and loving those around him have also inspired Makesure to be a great farmer who uses his profits to help his community.

Foundations for Farming has seen many lives, besides Makesure's, transformed through its teaching and relationships with farmers.

Trumpet Call: Update.....

TRUMPET CALL! - Churches Together for Transformation has now been launched across the country and the broad based Church proclaimed the prophetic message on 26 September 2010 to its flock. Training at various sites continues in earnest as various Churches receive training on small scale farming so that they can empower their congregations to feed themselves and to reach out to the poor in their communities. There is a strong focus on rural communities whose
livelihoods were decimated by the economic hardships that we experienced during the periods of extreme hyperinflation.

It is a great joy to see the Church working out this Isaiah 58 message practically! The parable of being faithful with the little is being preached effectively through Foundations for Farming/Farming God's Way.

May we all one day "...be known as the people who rebuilt their walls and cities." (Isaiah 58:12).

By Roy Chimanikire

Trumpet Call: Bulawayo News...

Word of Life band leading praise songs at White City Stadium

The day was hot but streams of people braved the heat and gathered at White City Stadium to pray for our Nation Zimbabwe. There were probably a total of 3 000 people who attended. Although it was hot, the atmosphere was great. Praise and worship was led by the band from Word of Life Church. They did a fantastic job of singing songs that most people knew. Vibrant song and dance got everyone in the spirit of unity. It was awesome.

The presence of God was felt and the prayer was a great beginning step for the Church to lead the way in shaping Zimbabwe. Kenneth Chirimuta opened in prayer. Mrs Zulu who is part of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference did an incredible job. She read from Genesis 1 and spoke about creation and man in creation v26. We are meant to take our stand in creation and dominate. The speeches went well: Overseer Nhira’s spoke on unity, being relevant as Christians and feeding ourselves as a Nation. The Prayer was led by various church leaders on different aspects pertaining to Zimbabwe on being passionate for God, passionate for each other and passionate about our nation. Mbonisi Malaba was very good as he shared the heart, science and technology of Foundations for Farming.

Everyone ended up on their knees at White City Stadium to pray for Zimbabwe. What a moving moment!

Comments from a few people:
1. Interesting to see Catholics and Pentecostals together.
2. It was brilliant, especially the unity - everyone presenting a unified front and we got a sense of the church on mission and the church taking its place in leading the nation.
3. Seeing about 200 Pastors from different churches on the podium was wonderful.
4. The meeting is but the beginning of Churches working together. The Pastors were very encouraged.

Prayer transforms a nation….

Braving the heat at White City Stadium

By Molly Manhanga