Farming God's Way

“Farming God’s way” is a process where one uses more natural ways to grow fruits and vegetables while also decreasing water consumption.  We were introduced to it by Josh’s dad years ago and felt it was time to implement it here on the farm.  The Lord spoke clearly to Josh and I roughly 9 months ago about having land and a garden – that those were the first two steps He was leading us to focus on.  Currently we do not own the land we are on, but in due time we will as the Lord provides, so we are unable to start a large scale garden at this point.  However, we have begun taking steps into developing a smaller garden to feed our families with and others that may come to visit.  Here is our progress thus far….

Day #1 (Wednesday, September 2, 2015) – ain’t no garden like a poopy garden!  Without a bakkie and tools, Josh and Matt made multiple trips by foot from the lower fields to the higher fields to collect the black soil and horse manure needed for a great compost pile.  It was very labor intensive.  Fortunately, they found a shovel and wheelbarrow that was left behind from the previous tenant when he moved out.

Day #2 (Thursday, September 3, 2015) – The hard work continues as the little ones willingly join us to help serve in the garden without being asked!  Early this AM we started off with one shovel to dig out the sod for our garden space.  The wheelbarrow was filled and many trips taken to dump the sod in a pile.  Later this morning we were blessed by our friend and missionary from the States, Josh Davis, with a bakkie and some shovels that he picked up for us from the second-hand store.  They were able to load up the back of the bakkie with much fertile soil from the lower fields and then scoop it out with the shovels into a pile near the garden.  This saved many hours of time and strain off the men’s shoulders.  It would be great to have a bakkie for the farm and work that needs done, but we are learning to get by and be content until the Lord provides a way!

Day #3 (Friday, September 4, 2015) – The horses, ponies and donkey decided to help….by eating the compost pile!  Josh and I woke up at 5:30am to Fiona, the donkey, on our back porch right by our bedroom.  We discovered that the horses can get through the main front gate to our house if it’s not double-locked.  Lesson learned.  Double-lock the gate at night!  Earlier in the week Josh and the Gagers made a trip to the store so everyone would have some boots to wear on the farm for working in and walking in when it’s pouring rain and muddy outside.  These have definitely come in handy!  Josh and I also found a little $5 sign at the second-hand store that reads, “LIFE IS MADE OF CHOICES…REMOVE YOUR SHOES OR SCRUB THE FLOOR!!

Day #4 (Saturday, September 5, 2015) – The garden space increases and the digging up of sod is almost complete.  The guys began laying rows of “God’s carpet” for planting.  Between the rows they laid a natural layer of thatch and composted material.

Day #5 (Sunday, September 6, 2015) – Day off from work.  The Lord rested too!

Day #6 (Monday, September 7, 2015) – The digging of sod has been completed.  Josh and I went to the second-hand store to buy a machete, pick ax and pitchfork.  These tools made a huge difference when turning the hard soil and rocks that were immersed underneath.  More of “God’s carpet” was added.

Day #7 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015) – Our friend, Josh Davis, stopped by with his family for “Taco Tuesday” dinner night.  He brought his bakkie again so more trips to the lower fields could be made.  He also blessed us with his old lawnmower, which was a great need of ours.  Many people use a weed whacker to “mow” their lawn, but we knew that wouldn’t be feasible for the enormity of our property.  Josh Davis no longer needed his and said we could have it for free.  It needed some work done but it was ours for the taking!  Thank you, Lord, for continually meeting our needs.  Thank you Davis family for pouring into the Lord’s work here and for your generosity and friendship.

Day #8 (Wednesday, September 9, 2015) – The guys got the lawnmower working!  Now we just need a gas can and petrol (aka “gas”).  The snakes hide in the grass so we don’t want it getting too long.  We are headed to town on Saturday to visit Sonshine Valley.  We’d like to get petrol then, but with all of us in our little Opel, that won’t leave room for a gas can.  What to do, what to do.  Still praying for another vehicle.  God will provide! The rest of the gardening has been placed on hold until the horses on our property are relocated.  That is supposed to happen today.

The hand blisters and bruises have been well worth the hard work!  We look forward to being more self-sufficient and eating the produce from all of this hard work and being able to bless others as well.  We’ll continue to provide pictures and updates as things progress, but you can also check out our Facebook page Mason Family Missions or www.four18.org for lots more pictures to be loaded in the near future.  We hope you have enjoyed the “fruits” of our journey.

If the Lord is leading you to help provide financial support in what He’s doing through us in South Africa, you can submit a tax-deductible donation on our Web site at www.four18.org.  Thank you for your continued support in finances, prayers, encouragement and love.  We are blessed!