Becoming a Bean Farmer!

Another miracle today!!! I spent the day traveling with my good friends, Karen, Mike and Nikodema to an area of Tanzania where commercial farms are located. Nikodema is an agricultural consultant in Tanzania and has been for the last 8 years. He oversees many commercial farms for a company located in Holland. He works with many local and international farmers who import and export crops from Tanzania. The journey was quite unbelievable as we had to travel on the "African roads" which if you have ever experienced the most extreme roller coaster in your life, you can triple that with bumps and lumps and rocks and holes and dips in the road. We were blessed with Mike as our driver. He knows these roads like the back of his hand. He can easily maneuver but with me sitting in the front seat I would always point out a few that I thought he might now have seen. I think you get the picture...he was probably thinking to himself, this lady really doesn't trust my driving...and we would all laugh!!

Back to farming!!! So we learned that there are over 100 different varieties of beans grown in Tanzania. Some are drought resistant while others are more "hybrid" in variety and need more moisture to grow!!! We learned of all the different diseases that can stop the growth along with the insects that LOVE to eat these leaves and destroy the plant. Having our crops grown in different parts of Tanzania will be most helpful as if one fails another will live. Nikodema also went along to "survey" the local crop condition. He could sit in our truck and immediately knew what was happening with that particular crop!! He would point out what pesticides or insecticides were needed and tell us how they would mix up these things to continue with a safe crop!! Who knew I would become a farmer in this lifetime???

After our safari to the farms we met a Masai family which is an extended relative of Nikodema. We arrived at their homes and were greeted by so many wonderful children just curious about us!!! The first thing to do is take their picture...then show them their photo!! This creates an instant bond!! Mama Masai (Esther) and Baba Masai (Francis) invited us to have their traditional tea. It was made with medicine from the mountain. I would compare this too chamomile tea in the states. Esther showed us how they pick from the bush and grind it to make a powder. Then add to the tea to help "stomach" problems. The tea was wonderful and the company was peaceful. Other than the flies that were attracted to my tea, there were no other issues!! We talked with Francis and Esther about farming here in Tanzania. They offered us some of their land in goodwill because they love that we come from so far away and want to help the people of Tanzania. I can't describe the feeling of gratitude!! Who would have known that we could all work together with the same hearts??

While having my tea, a foot behind my chair was a goat (mbuzi) giving birth!! The children all went to help this mama deliver her baby. The baby was born and they helped the mama "attach" herself to the baby. They took the cord and cut it with their fingers, then put it in the mama's mouth so she would recognize her baby. They kept putting her face on the baby so she would recognize her smell!! After a few minutes, the mother and baby were connected. The baby stood up 30 minutes after birth and began taking the milk from mama!! What a wonderful experience for me.

We returned to our apartment and were invited to a Tanzania wedding. It gave us another chance to put on our custom made Tanzania dresses!! The weddings here are long and formal. The reception was beautiful and everything has a meaning!! By 11p.m. my eyes could not stay awake any longer!!

It was a great day, full of so much meaning!! The dots are being connected more and more!! I am so happy to have found the best people to work with!!! I have many many great friends here in Tanzania and I have a great partner...my dada Karen!!!

Until next time~

Cheers!!