In defence of farmers.
Working the land can be interesting for two reasons. Firstly, to prove to both government officials and peasants that working the land is not just done by ignorant people because they have nothing else to do. Farming is of great value in itself and can be chosen with enjoyment like any other profession.
Secondly, it is interesting to prove to the same people that if the land is worked well, bringing in new ideas, it can be just as profitable as any other profession. However, working the land successfully often means that the farmer may need to have the financial means to purchase essential requirements: tools, materials to build an underground water source, or maybe a tractor to carry out activities. Thanks to the teaching provided by Pas à Pas, farmers can use compost, manure or green manures which are easy to produce and save money, instead of buying fertilisers.
In a country such as the Ivory Coast, agricultural success will only become real, firstly, when farmers are able to borrow funds needed for equipment. Secondly, they need an encouraging market where their products can be purchased at fair prices.
Today, in many sub-Saharan African countries it is hard to find banks that will finance agricultural activities. How can one start up an activity when borrowing money is so expensive? Even good seed and other basic materials can be very expensive. I would hope that soon the granting of bank loans to finance agricultural activities will once again be possible in countries such as the Ivory Coast. Loans could be made in the form of materials rather than in cash. This would reduce the number of tricks carried out by non-farmers.
The return to the land must become reality. Let’s finish all political speeches and take practical action instead. The key to success lies with the land and it will be a lasting success because it will come from the grassroots.
Advice from Pas à Pas as well as the financial and material means will result in an agro-pastoral success.
Justin Tchete, 03 BP 3129 Abidjan 03, Ivory Coast, W Africa
AIDS education
I was very intersted to read Pas à Pas 19 on TB and AIDS. I would like to make a few points regarding AIDS and fidelity.
In some ethnic groups, couples abstain after a birth for fear of another pregnancy. Often this leads to unfaithfulness on the side of the husband.
To help couples remain faithful, the Ministry of Health in Cameroon has combined a campaign on AIDS awareness with information on different methods of family planning. People are informed wherever they meet – after church, in women’s groups, after the Friday prayer time for Muslims – together with the leaders of these groups. Couples are invited to visit their local health centres for more information in a more discreet place.
Another problem that needs to be dealt with is the migration of men from the villages, leaving behind their wives and children. Can they abstain from having any kind of sexual relationship with occasional partners? In this part of northern Cameroon, people are now talking about AIDS, but often they don’t really understand what it’s all about. They do not fully realise the risks they may be taking.
Helen Müller, Eglise Evangélique, BP 82, Kousséri, Cameroon
Water dowsing
Greetings from the Kingdom of Swaziland. I always read Footsteps with pleasure and find many useful articles in it for extension workers and for community development. However, in your recent issue No.20 I was very surprised to read about water dowsing. In the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 18:10 and 2 Kings 17:17 we read that divination is evil.
I am sure that water dowsing works and does help people to find water, but surely the important question is whether we are following God’s word in the scriptures. Although we can’t explain how water dowsing works, there are forces at work and according to the scriptures we should not practise such things.
Willen R Kaassen, Rural Ministries, PO Box 387, Veni, Swaziland
I was surprised to find the letter on dowsing in the recent issue of Footsteps. I know of other Christians like Mr Hume who practise water dowsing. However, the subject is very troublesome to me. We should not overlook the fact that it is also called ‘water divining’.
As a scientist, I find it hard to believe that there is a natural effect or a force created by God for our use which no-one has yet been able to detect and measure. People with little training are apparently able to detect water, electric cables etc, with a great variety of materials – hazel sticks, copper rods, bent coat hangers, etc. Is this either magic or just the imagination of the dowser?
When I was responsible for a large water programme in Ethiopia I forbade the use of water dowsing. The local people were very familiar with witchcraft (and also with water dowsing) and the church there had worked hard to oppose it. When digging wells, local people were very anxious that a goat be sacrificed to increase the chance of finding water. I refused, saying that if water was there, we would find it, whether or not we sacrificed a goat. Had we done this, we would have reinforced their belief in the magic of sacrifice.
Would it not be better for Christians to avoid any association with ‘special knowledge’ gained through such doubtful methods? God has given us limited understanding of natural laws and expects us to use the knowledge we already have. He is also pleased to direct us through prayer to meet our own needs and those of others. If we are justified in seeking supernatural help, we must make sure we are seeking it at the right source.
Don Stilwell, SIM, PO Box 7900, Charlotte, NC 28241, USA
EDITOR: Water dowsing is an issue that divides Christians. There is no clear answer and each person must think through the issues and make up their own mind.
There are two key points being raised in these letters: firstly, is water dowsing divination (through supernatural forces)? – in which case, as Christians we should not use it – or is it a response to natural forces as yet not fully understood? Don’t forget that long ago Christians believed that surgery and blacksmithing were also of the Devil.
The second key point concerns the traditional beliefs and customs of local people. If local people see water dowsing as witchcraft, then it should not be carried out. It should only be done in full agreement with local church leaders and with clear explanation to local people that witchcraft is not involved.
Free seeds
Greetings from far away Poland. I’d like to tell Footsteps readers about a very special man I have met here. His name is Roman Plaskota. He is a plant breeder who collects rare and vanishing species of plants, herbs and spices. For the past 20 years he has devoted himself to developing many varieties of plants that can survive in difficult conditions. His one wish is to share his seeds of wild herbs and flowers with plant lovers elsewhere. He is happy to send seeds to Footsteps readers living in colder climates. Please write to:
Roman Plaskota and Ronald McGerity, PL-95-200 Pabianice, PO Box 6, Poland