letter to friends & family

Dear friends and family,

As I have been keeping in touch about SROM and other major life events, I thought it may be time for another. As you know, I had another spectacular summer with SROM, leading a 40-day 40-night course in the Wind River Wilderness of Wyoming. This fall I've been at home in Tennessee mostly working for my uncle at his vet office. This includes a lot of cleaning, helping with procedures, and caring for many dogs and cats that stay at the office for a while (boarding, hospitalizations, surgeries, etc). I have also been taking down very old wallpaper for my parents when not working at the vet office. I am very nearly done with the room. Recently my grandfather (Dale Magnuson) was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. For medical reasons he has to be watched 24 hours a day. Mom, Dad, two aunts, and I have pitched in during this time to take turns watching granddaddy and transporting my grandmother back and forth to see him.

January through April I will be in Mhangura, Zimbabwe (in southern Africa) interning under the farm director at an orphanage, Eden Children's Village. The orphanage is primarily for children who have lost their parents to AIDS. Children stay in homes with 8-10 other kids, a mom, and an auntie. Just as there are many aspects to taking care of a child, there are many aspects of Eden Children's Village. Health, safety, food security, role-modeling, spiritual development, education, career planning... just think about all of the things you do for your children (if you have any).

I am going specifically to learn about their farming techniques. They grow enough food for about 800 people-- both orphans and surrounding communities. Food security is extremely important for these communities and individuals. They do not have the luxury to depend on a stable economy, stable external food supplies, or stable prices. (Zimbabwe has experienced some of the worst hyperinflation in history.)

The farm must produce all its food with very few external inputs. It is simply not practical or affordable to buy pesticides or fertilizers that are used in agribusiness. Through the years they have experimented with many techniques to make this possible-- including growing mixed plant communities, planting herbs that naturally deter pests, and making pesticides and fertilizers on the farm.

Being able to save seeds from year to year also increases food security. Almost everything we buy in a grocery store is from a hybrid variety. Although these are tasty, the seed cannot be saved and used the next year. Open-pollinated varieties allow for seed saving. In response to these needs, Eden's Village is growing more open-pollinated varieties and has begun a seed bank. Generally speaking these techniques as a body are called permaculture (def: a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture or horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem).

I am betting that some of you are wondering, "Is this place safe? Reputable? Is she going to be with some crazies in Africa?" A woman on my 40/40 trip lived and worked with this organization for two years where she met her future husband. (Oddly enough they are both from Indiana, but had to go all the way to Zimbabwe to meet each other.) This husband-wife team went on the 40/40 partially as preparation for full time missions in Africa. They are wonderful people that I trust immensely. Moreover, I was lucky enough to meet with the directors of Eden's Village, Kevin and Susan Fry, while they were in the States this fall. They had 'normal' jobs in Indiana before becoming missionaries. Kevin has a degree in horticulture and significant business experience. Susan has a master's in education followed by many years of experience. Moreover, the orphanage has popped up several times during my research of sustainable agriculture mission work. If you would like to know more about the orphanage, feel free to contact me or look at their website (www.edenchildrensvillage.org).

The intern program with Eden's Village cost $100/week plus airfare. This totals to about $3200. Through working at school, working with SROM, and working this fall (and thankfully living with parents!) I have enough money to cover these expenses. If you would like to contribute towards other travel expenses such as travel insurance, medications, or immunizations, it would be greatly appreciated. As always I value your prayers and emotional support!

I am spending time in Zimbabwe to get my feet wet and figure out if agriculture development/agriculture missions is really the right path for me. I have applied for a training program with ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) based in Florida for next fall. The program last 1.5-2 years and would give me the education and practical experience I need to really help people in this field. This is another organization the keeps popping up during my search. (I have been looking into a few other places as well if things don't work out with this group.) Again, if you would like to know more about ECHO please contact me or check out their website (www.echonet.org).

I am expecting my time in Zimbabwe to be formative, and am asking for your prayers especially during this time. I am excited about this journey, but also sad that I will be far away from family, friends, and communities that I love. Although I will be so physically far away from folks in the States, I pray that we remain spiritual brothers and sisters. Internet will be the only way that I can communicate with those that are State-side. I plan on keeping this blog up as much as possible, and possibly setting up a skype account. (However, I don't think I will have much, if any, time to sit and chat with friends.)


And with that I bid a cheery 'adieu.' Blessings and peace to each of you,
Emily