Government statistics in Uganda state that 85% of the
country’s population are subsistence farmers. This means that most people grow
what they eat, build their own houses and live without making regular purchases
in the marketplace. In our bible study
last week at Canaan farm our study focused on the motive of the Christian
farmer and asked the question “Why do we farm” Is it from a self-centered
motive or a Christ-centered motive. The
large group that attended the study had two things in common
1. They were all Christians.
2. They were all subsistence farmers.
Farming in a rural setting can involve a lot of work, there
are crops and animals to tend and a host of other things to do that can keep
one so busy. In our study the farmers learned that farm work although demanding
is not the only thing that God calls them to in life. They were taught that life is not all about
farming, it’s all about Christ. It’s about doing what pleases the Lord who
created us, loves us, and saved us. If our farms are to bring glory to God they
must be motivated first and foremost by a love for God and man and a commitment
to carry out the great commission. Using the parable of sower in Matthew
Chapter 13 the farmers were encourage to always ensure their hearts are always
well prepared to receive from the Lord and bear fruit for His kingdom.
At the end of our
study it was such great joy to witness a renewed commitment among the farmers
to balance farm work, family and the Christian walk. Next month we plan to use
the same approach to reach out to rural traders.
Please pray for all the Christian farmers throughout our
country that the Lord may open more avenues for the study of the Word so that
they may be firmly rooted in the Word and have their eyes set on the author and
finisher of their faith Jesus Christ.
Richard Angoma
Canaan Farm, Northern Uganda
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