Farming, Farmers, and Farms

I translate and write biblical teaching for Christian Aid Ministries: magazines and books. It’s a great way
to reach tons of people while I sit at my computer.
For the past two years, the ASAPH Brass Band has been invited to play some music for an agricultural
conference that brings together Christian agronomists from all over.
I was approached by some of those folks about translating a book…Farming That Brings Glory To God. It
was written by a man who works in Africa. He clearly presents a reality that he experienced in Africa and
that is repeated in Haiti: Christ is being presented by ministries and missionaries, and people continue to
starve on land they mistreat. He tells the story of African adults who say to their children, “I hope you
never have to work the land. Go to school and learn another way to make a living.” Many in Haiti have
the same dreams for their children. But, if no one farms, no one eats.
The book exposes a gap in Christian ministries to suffering countries. You can’t minister to people who
live off of the land, without addressing God’s land and God’s plan for the land.
I’m convicted to do what I can (after 25 years of not doing) to bless farmers and people who will be
farmers tomorrow. Every person in our community here in Haiti has some relation to the land. I’ve never
been involved in that.
As a musician/teacher, I am looking for ways to honor and encourage those who put food on our tables.
I wrote a song that attempts to do just that. I shared it at the agricultural conference and have hopes to
share it many places where the band performs.
“Hats off to those who satisfy our hungers.
Hats off to those who put food on our tables...”
It’s a small piece of a puzzle, but songs stick in heads and hearts. May God encourage, enrich, and orient
the people who bring food out of the dirt of Haiti! May in be done in a way that brings glory to God, and
hope to the poor!