Last Day on the Farm

Tuesday was our last day at the farm, and we really had a blessed time. Nadine and I took a morning walk with Geoffrey to see little John, a boy with severe disabilities who is being supported by Far Reaching Ministries. He had a big smile on his face when we showed up, and it was amazing to see how joyful and Spirit-filled he is, even in the face of so many challenges. He reminds me of Tiny Tim from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. After we walked back to the farm and had lunch, we had another training session for the VHTs, this time on maternal/child health and nutrition. As we trained them, many community members started to arrive, so we repeated the lessons a few times to ensure everyone understood. Judith, the new nurse at Emmanuel Clinic, gave an engaging and informative lecture on the importance of visiting the clinic for antenatal checkups.

We climbed the ladder to the water tank-the view of the entire farm was breath-taking. To view the school, Emmanuel Clinic, the tukels (huts we sleep in,) the Nook where beyond delicious meals were served and where many conversations took place, the diel ott (goat house) and the fertile fields. The irrigation drip lines coil like black snakes in the soil-symbolizing the potential for dry season production and business opportunity for the villagers. It is bittersweet to leave the Utopia of Canaan Farm. I say good-bye to the Cockatieu that sang to me above my shower and to the lizards that scampered about in our living thicket roof. I say a lingering farewell to the Queen of the Night tree outside our tukel that blessed us with its amazing aroma where its blossoms open only in the evening to bless us. The hardest is to say good to our gracious hosts Richard & Susan Angoma and their 3-year-old daughter Abby. To be so openly welcomed in their home and hearts is humbling. Richard was our chaperone, translator & negotiator with others for us at H2O Life. We our forever indebted to them and I count them among my best of friends. Wishing God's Blessings on their special family and all the amazing workers/friends at Canaan Farm. Heather R.