For 16 years the Lord seemed to be telling Les & Catherine to wait and “planting” them in a preparation and training time. Off and on during these years, Les & Catherine knocked on doors, and yet the Lord seemed to be saying, “Wait.” During this time of waiting, the Lord blessed Les with a wonderful job at the local cooperative and an opportunity to work with farmers as an Agronomy Manager. This agricultural experience is something Les believes the Lord used as a wonderful preparation for the mission field. At the same time, Catherine was home educating our four children, which remained a high priority on the mission field. In spite of this difficult time of waiting, our eyes had never lost sight of the vision given us by the Lord.
In January of 2002, Les had an opportunity to go to India to help dedicate an orphanage for girls that our church was instrumental in building.
In March of 2003, after working at a local cooperative for 14 years, Les and Catherine accepted an invitation to encourage pastors, seminary students, and local churches in Isuochi, Nigeria West Africa. Laborers With Christ (LWC) with its two-handed gospel approach began its first FAAGRIC (Faith Agriculture) program in Nigeria, West Africa April, 2006, Catherine’s birth country.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven… a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
The trip to Nigeria opened up some doors for our return in August of 2004 with our four children who would help in the ministry. Our family ministry included our children who presented the gospel as “Expressions of Faith” through “Bible Gems” choral readings that Catherine wrote.
We returned to Nigeria to be involved with a Bible College, and begin a community development program in basic agriculture and physiological nutrition.
We started by teaching Catherine’s course Worship as a Lifestyle and later Les began teaching and training in self-sustainable agriculture and helped with some administrative work. This trip also included research in the local climate which was helpful in giving us a hands-on understanding to implement a practical and useful program.
In Nigeria, over and over we have heard from many within Nigeria of the farming industry that is dying due to the amount of labor with small returns. Many youth are disillusioned at the amount of work their parents invested into the farm and had made a conscientious decision to find something “better” where in a country the unemployment exceeds over 50%. There are times we can “wait” for something, wasting time. {put saying, phrase here} This has led to many people forsaking agriculture and ending up unemployed without food.
In four short years, the Lord has grown FAAGRIC to six locations in the Village of Isuochi. Over a span of four years, we have graduated over 150 participants in our FAAGRIC program. Currently, We have a dedicated staff of four, two trained lecturers, and many who have personally benefited in health and seen an increase in entrepreneurial ventures. This would include nurseries and produce.
The years 2010-2015 have turned out record numbers of people interested in the FAAGRIC program, so much so that there aren’t enough teachers to take care of the number of locations requesting our presence. Presently, FAAGRIC has nine learning centers. A list of FAAGRIC Study Centers and students is below.
The FAAGRIC program now has a place in the market place.
We praise God for the way He has used LWC to reach the poor and needy, hungry and destitute in a way that will benefit them both physically and spiritually, even beyond our presence. May our Lord God be glorified!
If you are interested in helping salary a teacher for $100 a month for the expansion on FAAGRIC center’s please let us know.
FAAGRIC STUDY CENTERS
A. ABIA STATE – UMUNNEOCHI L.G.A.
NGODO-CENTRE – 30 STUDENTS
AMUDA-CENTRE – 28 STUDENTS
UMUAKU CENTRE – 36 STUDENTS
MBALA CENTRE – 35 STUDENTS
L.G.A. HEADQUARTERS – 20 STUDENTS
B. ANAMBRA STATE – ORUMBA SOUTH L.G.A.
OWERE EZUKALA STUDY CENTRE – 37 STUDENTS
C. ENUGU STATE – AWGU L.G.A
UGWUEME STUDY CENTRE – (HILL DWELLERS) – 42 STUDENTS
Lessons Learned:
Learning how to train the nationals to embrace the vision for themselves is key to the type of growth necessary for change.
Culture Corner:
Right/Left hand rules
Food in Nigeria is traditionally eaten by hand. However, with the growing influence of Western culture, forks and spoons are becoming more common, even in remote villages. Whether people eat with their hand or a utensil, it is considered dirty and rude to eat using the left hand.
Do – In general, you should accept things given to you with your right hand and give things with your right hand – though using both hands is a sign of respect.
Don’t – The left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other un-savoury functions. Do not pass anything to anyone with your left hand, or point at anyone with it.
Shaking hands, eating, or passing things with the left hand are unacceptable, even to the point of making money. The left hand is reserved for personal toiletries and is considered dirty. Sometimes if you touch your left arm with your right hand you may be received. There was a lady in the market place that refused to sell and take money from you if you used your left hand for any reason to do business.
Etiquette
Age is greatly respected in Nigeria. In an area where the average life expectancy is not very high, those who live into their senior years are seen as having earned special rights of respect and admiration. This is true of both men and women.
Socially, greetings are of the utmost importance. A handshake and a long list of well wishes for a counterpart’s family and good health are expected when meeting someone. This is often true even if you have seen that person a short time earlier. Whether you are talking to a bank teller or visiting a friend, it is considered rude not to engage in a proper greeting before getting down to business.
Higher Education. Historically, Nigerians have been very interested in higher education, but the demand for higher education far exceeds the capacity of the facilities. There simply are not enough institutions to accommodate the demand. It usually takes knowing the right person to get in.
Third World Sharing
The mentality of sharing money vs knowledge is common place in the third world. If a family member or friend needs financial help, many will pitch in and share out of what little they have. If they obtain knowledge, they tend to keep it to themselves. To have the corner on the market of knowledge means they there is no competition to the profit of that knowledge.
Nigeria
Nna! – Welcome
For 16 years the Lord seemed to be telling Les & Catherine to wait and “planting” them in a preparation and training time. Off and on during these years, Les & Catherine knocked on doors, and yet the Lord seemed to be saying, “Wait.” During this time of waiting, the Lord blessed Les with a wonderful job at the local cooperative and an opportunity to work with farmers as an Agronomy Manager. This agricultural experience is something Les believes the Lord used as a wonderful preparation for the mission field. At the same time, Catherine was home educating our four children, which remained a high priority on the mission field. In spite of this difficult time of waiting, our eyes had never lost sight of the vision given us by the Lord.
In January of 2002, Les had an opportunity to go to India to help dedicate an orphanage for girls that our church was instrumental in building.
In March of 2003, after working at a local cooperative for 14 years, Les and Catherine accepted an invitation to encourage pastors, seminary students, and local churches in Isuochi, Nigeria West Africa. Laborers With Christ (LWC) with its two-handed gospel approach began its first FAAGRIC (Faith Agriculture) program in Nigeria, West Africa April, 2006, Catherine’s birth country.
The trip to Nigeria opened up some doors for our return in August of 2004 with our four children who would help in the ministry. Our family ministry included our children who presented the gospel as “Expressions of Faith” through “Bible Gems” choral readings that Catherine wrote.
We returned to Nigeria to be involved with a Bible College, and begin a community development program in basic agriculture and physiological nutrition.
We started by teaching Catherine’s course Worship as a Lifestyle and later Les began teaching and training in self-sustainable agriculture and helped with some administrative work. This trip also included research in the local climate which was helpful in giving us a hands-on understanding to implement a practical and useful program.
In Nigeria, over and over we have heard from many within Nigeria of the farming industry that is dying due to the amount of labor with small returns. Many youth are disillusioned at the amount of work their parents invested into the farm and had made a conscientious decision to find something “better” where in a country the unemployment exceeds over 50%. There are times we can “wait” for something, wasting time. {put saying, phrase here} This has led to many people forsaking agriculture and ending up unemployed without food.
In four short years, the Lord has grown FAAGRIC to six locations in the Village of Isuochi. Over a span of four years, we have graduated over 150 participants in our FAAGRIC program. Currently, We have a dedicated staff of four, two trained lecturers, and many who have personally benefited in health and seen an increase in entrepreneurial ventures. This would include nurseries and produce.
The FAAGRIC program now has a place in the market place.
We praise God for the way He has used LWC to reach the poor and needy, hungry and destitute in a way that will benefit them both physically and spiritually, even beyond our presence. May our Lord God be glorified!
If you are interested in helping salary a teacher for $100 a month for the expansion on FAAGRIC center’s please let us know.
A. ABIA STATE – UMUNNEOCHI L.G.A.
B. ANAMBRA STATE – ORUMBA SOUTH L.G.A.
C. ENUGU STATE – AWGU L.G.A
Learning how to train the nationals to embrace the vision for themselves is key to the type of growth necessary for change.
Right/Left hand rules
Food in Nigeria is traditionally eaten by hand. However, with the growing influence of Western culture, forks and spoons are becoming more common, even in remote villages. Whether people eat with their hand or a utensil, it is considered dirty and rude to eat using the left hand.
Do – In general, you should accept things given to you with your right hand and give things with your right hand – though using both hands is a sign of respect.
Don’t – The left hand is for wiping your bottom, cleaning your feet and other un-savoury functions. Do not pass anything to anyone with your left hand, or point at anyone with it.
Shaking hands, eating, or passing things with the left hand are unacceptable, even to the point of making money. The left hand is reserved for personal toiletries and is considered dirty. Sometimes if you touch your left arm with your right hand you may be received. There was a lady in the market place that refused to sell and take money from you if you used your left hand for any reason to do business.
Etiquette
Age is greatly respected in Nigeria. In an area where the average life expectancy is not very high, those who live into their senior years are seen as having earned special rights of respect and admiration. This is true of both men and women.
Socially, greetings are of the utmost importance. A handshake and a long list of well wishes for a counterpart’s family and good health are expected when meeting someone. This is often true even if you have seen that person a short time earlier. Whether you are talking to a bank teller or visiting a friend, it is considered rude not to engage in a proper greeting before getting down to business.
Higher Education. Historically, Nigerians have been very interested in higher education, but the demand for higher education far exceeds the capacity of the facilities. There simply are not enough institutions to accommodate the demand. It usually takes knowing the right person to get in.
Third World Sharing
The mentality of sharing money vs knowledge is common place in the third world. If a family member or friend needs financial help, many will pitch in and share out of what little they have. If they obtain knowledge, they tend to keep it to themselves. To have the corner on the market of knowledge means they there is no competition to the profit of that knowledge.
Madras, India
Enugu, Nigeria
Les Cayes, Haiti
LWC DeRoos Drumbeat Subscription
Random bible verse