Operations Trumpet Call Makes Strides

22 February 2011

Somewhere in Matabelaland, a widow faithfully does her preparations by the end of October so that she’s on time for planting on 25th November. Around her, a month later, no-one’s fields have the amount of mulch hers do (see picture on right).

Elsewhere in the same province, another lady faithfully (pictured on the right) does the same, despite her husband not believing in what she is doing. A short time later, his fields are only about a third the size of hers.

Meanwhile, across the country in Buhera, Caston Jongwe is producing more maize than he has before and has even started a church. And in Mutoko, Bernard Tiripanyanga, is able to successfully grow maize in his area for the first time.

What do these people have in common? They’re all using the Foundations for Farming methodology. They’re also part of Operation Trumpet Call, an initiative which began in 2009 when the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe approached Foundations for Farming to assist with training churches it represented across the country.

”The heart of Operation Trumpet Call is to serve the church,” said Wessie van der Westhuizen (pictured on the right), who heads up the  initiative. ”The programme started with an emphasis on farming and is being used to reach out to the church in the nation to bring about a greater level of food security but to also instil a deeper need for a changed lifestyle through the Gospel. So food is the entry point, but God and establishing His Kingdom are the ultimate focus,” he added.

There are 53 sites across the country. The majority of these, 22, are in Matabeleland while there are 5 in Midlands, 7 in Masvingo, 14 in Mashonaland and 5 in Manicaland.

”We had more sites in the beginning but felt to consolidate them by the joining of closely located sites. We started with 87 and after this process of amalgamation, it came down to 50. We have since had some sites being added already,” said van der Westhuizen.

A crucial aspect of the implementation of Operation Trumpet Call at the different sites is that leaders are expected to train others and monitor their progress. They are also expected to use the approach to help their communities become independent through sustainable farming methods. They give regular feedback on progress and attend training times in Harare and Bulawayo.

”It is definitely a huge privilege to be able to build relationship with so many people across the country. We have this incredible opportunity to go into 53 different communities and meet with people, talk to them, pray with them and see them grow in what God has for them as specifically related to the farming programme,” van der Westhuizen noted.

But there are also challenges. These relate to communication, time constraints involved in travelling and adequate transportation. Nevertheless, the work doesn’t stop and its impact is being felt.

”We have seen how the authorities have, for instance, responded well to us working in certain areas. We have seen how leaders from different churches have started working together because of the programme and how two churches have already been planted. In addition, we have seen people serving their communities,” said van der Westhuizen.
”What a privilege to have started with this initiative of Foundations for Farming to reach various communities. We are trusting the Lord is actually going to open more doors into pastors’ lives, churches and communities to enable us to serve them further in the future,” he concluded.