5th Fiji August 2018 Report

5th Day August Fiji Report:
 
Chuck, Sue and I had lunch together in Labasa town to discuss the situation on their demonstration farm that has been brought about by the extensive drought affecting the entire Western Province of Fiji.  I mentioned when I was in Suva that the farmers around Nadi had lost all of their crops with no hope for any harvest this year.  For subsistence farmers that is a total disaster with dire implications.
 
Chuck and Sue know they have to sell their sheep while they are still in relatively good health because they do not have pasture to feed them.  They have not been able to harvest any honey as there is inadequate forage for the bees.  The mango trees did blossom this past week, so it is possible there may be enough of a honey flow over the next week or so to allow extraction.  Since the hives are in a weakened condition this must be done cautiously so as to not weaken the hives any further.  They have been feeding them with sugar water and yeast cakes to keep them in the relative state of health they are in.  This has significantly cut into their revenue stream.
 
There is a small active spring in one area of the farm, but they don’t have a pump to extract enough water nor do they have a tank in which to store the  water for use in irrigation of at least their garden plot.  Chuck also is building a small dormitory to accommodate visitors who come here to learn about farming and beekeeping.  The roof is on, but it has no gutters or water tank to collect water once the rain comes.
 
As a result of out discussions I’ve purchased the necessary supplies and equipment to allow them to make more efficient use of the water resources they have—the spring and the roof which can collect water.
 
Once Chuck installs the new tank, pump, pipe, etc. they will immediately be able to irrigate their vegetable garden, providing food for their household and possibly for sale.  They may even be able to raise enough vegetation to keep at least a few of their sheep.
 
Thank the Lord for His enabling in all of this.  Thank you for making this ministry possible.
 
Tomorrow we drive over to another city on the other side of the island to visit with Aisake and his wife.  Aisake is one of our ministry partners who has helped facilitate most of our medical outreaches here.
 
Blessings!
 
Ken