SUMMER 2018

HOPE IN A FEATURES Hope in a Weary Land 3 The Unlikely Heroes of Hurricane Matthew 4

WEARY LAND Nurseries Partnering with Plant TESTIMONIES OF GLOBAL CHANGE With Purpose to Change Lives 6 DEPARTMENTS Families in are building safety nets to weather Director’s Corner 2 future storms. How it Works 7

ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS TO HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS DIRECTOR’S CORNER FAMILIES IN HAITI ARE RESTORING HEALTH TO THEIR VULNERABLE WATERSHEDS ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS TO HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS

THE SOWER ISSUE #118

Plant With Purpose, a Christian nonprofit The first time I vis- floods now infiltrates the soil, recharging organization, reverses ited Haiti, an image groundwater. Many people report streams and around the world by from the book of that had once dried up or become season- transforming the lives of the rural poor. Isaiah kept coming al are beginning to flow year-round again. to mind. Streams of water are beginning to reclaim the desert. Looking at erosion- scarred hillsides, As I recently drove through the mountains each one a patch- near Cornillon, Haiti, we passed hills cov- work of rock walls delineating fields of with- ered with trees, and valleys that were little ered corn or beans and representing the fu- versions of Shangri-La. I spoke with farm- ture of a family, the phrase “weary land” ers, like Wally Emilcar, who took me on a came to me again and again. I have since tour of one of his fields, where he was grow- seen “weary land” in many places and my ing bananas, chives, peppers, tomatoes, SPIRITUAL mind often goes to the same hopeful pas- sweet potato, sugarcane, grapefruit, sour- RENEWAL sage in Isaiah 32, which hints at redemp- sop, squash, coffee, and numerous other tion that is not just spiritual, but will be plants. He told me he had planted fifteen “like streams of water in the desert, and the different species of trees including mahog- shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” any, cedar, acacia, and pine. He explained EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: how he has learned how to collect, save, Scott Sabin The imagery of Isaiah helped me to see and germinate his own native pine seed [email protected] these hillsides with new eyes. Instead and produce his own seedlings. I asked him of seeing only the misery and hardship, what he used to grow on this same land DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR: passages like Isaiah 41:17-20 gave me the and he laughed dismissively, “Nothing se- Christi Renaud imagination to see what possibilities lie rious...some pigeon peas and corn, but the [email protected] in restoring the land. In these verses, the corn was really a waste of time.” prophet speaks of God answering the cries STAY CONNECTED: of the needy with trees in the wasteland and Of course these communities, as idyllic as with flowing springs and rivers. they appear, were not immune from the 4747 Morena Blvd. Suite 100 damage of Hurricane Matthew. However, San Diego, CA 92117 At Plant With Purpose we began to imag- community leaders were eager to tell me Ph: 858.274.3718 ine how different these poor families’ lives how Plant With Purpose’s Sustainable Email: [email protected] would be if their weary lands were full of Development Groups provided leadership Web: plantwithpurpose.org abundant fruit, flowing with water, and cov- for the recovery effort and, in several cases, ered with rich topsoil. That dream seems multiple groups had come together to coor- Tw : @PlantWPurpose fanciful, but it is not as elusive as one might dinate with each other. Fb: facebook.com/PlantWithPurpose think. Creation is amazingly resilient and God has given us an incredible diversity of There is still a long way to go, and Isaiah’s tools, which we can apply to restore it. At prophecy is not likely to find complete ful- Email [email protected] the same time these tools help farmers to fillment this side of Christ’s return, yet to learn how you can: increase their production. so much more is possible than we often • Share your Plant With Purpose story imagine and it continues to be an incred- • Host an event Today, the restoration of weary land has ad- ible blessing to see tiny glimpses of the • Become a Purpose Partner vanced from merely a dream to something Kingdom in unlikely places. we have begun to see with our own eyes. Leave a Legacy. Please consider Globally, Plant With Purpose partnering including Plant With Purpose in your families have 44 percent higher crop yields wills and bequests. Contact Doug (when compared to non-participating fami- lies), and they are diversifying their produc- Satre: [email protected]. tion and contributing to the health of their Scott Sabin watersheds. Rain that had run off in flash Executive Director copyright © 2018 Plant With Purpose

2 HOPE IN A WEARY LAND BY CHRISTI RENAUD, DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR

CONGOLESE PARTICIPANTS LOOK FORWARD TO THE RESTORATION OF THEIR SOIL AND LAND

On one of our earliest visits to the Democratic ness. Once at the communities, we met Republic of the Congo, our team surveyed with various leaders to discuss opportuni- what a weary land looks like. ties to work within this watershed that was “I’M HAPPY BECAUSE, SINCE plagued with severe land degradation. JOINING, WE ARE ABLE TO We saw hillsides that were fading in color as the land lost its fertility—devoid of topsoil or The Psalms contain a fitting prayer for this GATHER ENOUGH FOOD FOR THE trees to protect it. We saw slopes that were setting: CHILDREN AND TO PAY THEIR completely dry and barren. The spots on the hillside that were darker were actually SCHOOL FEES. A CHANGE BEGAN scorched from burning, as farmers attempted MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU, MY TO BE FELT.” to grow food from an unhealthy land. FLESH YEARNS FOR YOU IN A DRY We learned from a study that, within the past AND WEARY LAND WHERE THERE month, nearly everybody who lived in that We have seen these communities come Congolese watershed had gone at least one IS NO WATER. (PS. 63:1) alive. The transformation is spiritual, but full day without eating. People rarely ate more also extremely visible in the restoration than one meal a day. To make matters worse, of the land. Fields that were dead have conflict between tribes and different groups That was three years ago. begun growing life again. Streams of was a constant threat. Peace could never be water have reemerged. New trees have taken for granted. Since then, our partners in the Congo have sprung up and farms have produced established 50 healthy crops. The land and its people Groups, partnered with 20 churches, and have begun to flourish. started training farmers in seven villages. OUR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS WERE These efforts started to pay off. “With the There are many other parts of the Congo, EXHAUSTED. SO WERE THE PEOPLE new farming techniques, our farms have and other countries, where deforestation, been transformed. The land is protected degradation, and poverty have left com- WHO CALLED THESE HILLS HOME. and everyone has better production,” ex- munities weary. We know that there is plained a participant. hope, however. God has a plan to restore degraded lands and suffering communi- We climbed thousands of feet in order to get “After being trained, we realized that work ties, and we are privileged to participate closer to the communities that we would be is a gift from God to humanity. Work al- in it. working with. The road was mostly straight lows us to access resources that help us,” and wide, but still a challenge with its steep- explains a pastor from a church in the area.

PLANTWITHPURPOSE.ORG 3 THE UNLIKELY HEROES OF HURRICANE MATTHEW BY KIRSTIE HIBBARD, OUTREACH COORDINATOR

On January 12, 2010 the earth shook and the ditions following recent disasters and are One such hero is Azougene. She and her ground fractured as a 7.0 Mw earthquake hit ill-prepared for the upcoming hurricane sea- family were devastated by Hurricane Haiti, destroying weak infrastructure, and son. Families lack the safety nets they need Matthew but have not lost hope. She re- killing hundreds of thousands. In the months to persevere. counts, “Before the hurricane, my family that followed, displacement, hunger, and an and I lived a normal life. Agriculture was outbreak of cholera further devastated vul- Those who have given to Haiti are frustrated our main source of livelihood. But the nerable families. The country began a slow by few signs of progress. Similarly, Haitians hurricane destroyed my entire home and recovery with little evidence as massive piles feel disempowered when help comes in the my farm.” She and her family supported of rubble choked the capital city of Port-au- form of handouts that do little to address each other through Hurricane Matthew. Prince. On October 4, 2016 a setback once root problems, or displace local businesses With God, what challenge could they not again hit this fragile land in the form of a cat- and personal initiative. This bleak narrative overcome? egory 4 hurricane. Hurricane Matthew would has led many nongovernmental organiza- become the strongest storm to hit Haiti in tions to reduce work in Haiti. For most rural families in Haiti, with de- over 50 years, destroying land and liveli- graded land and no access to savings, hoods. Battered by tropical storms, floods, But Plant With Purpose has not given up natural disasters are crippling. This is why and earthquakes, Haiti has become the poor- on Haiti. In fact, we are encouraged by our Plant With Purpose is in the business of est country in the Americas. partners’ resilience and progress. Our part- building resilience. We cannot halt hurri- ners testify to their daily struggle, but also canes, but we can build safety nets to re- The tiny island of Hispaniola is vulnerable to to their hope. duce impact and speed up recovery in the Atlantic storms and is further weakened by face of emergencies. vast deforestation and failing infrastructure. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) storm forecasters predict GOD USES THE UNLIKELY HEROES, BUILDING SAFETY NETS a 70 percent likelihood of one to four major AND SO DO WE. In the weeks that followed the storm, Atlantic hurricanes for this year. The majority Azougene and her family were able to sur- of Haitians are still living in precarious con- vive on the bread and cassava flour that they had saved. But even these resources would have run out eventually. It was the savings that Azougene developed in her eight years as a savings group member that would support her family through the AZOUGENE AND HER BOYS STILL long process of recovery. SMILE AMIDST CHALLENGES

Azougene had savings to carry her through because she was a member of a Plant With Purpose Sustainable Devel- opment Group. These groups serve as a reliable banking and loan system and help families who couldn’t otherwise ac- cess financial services find creative ways to plan for the future. Azougene and her neighbors now have a safety net that al- lows them to break out of the cycle of fear from living day to day. Families with even a little bit of extra cash are amazed at how 4 small amounts build up over time. Many, like Azougene, move beyond building emer- gency savings and start small businesses. PARTNERS IN HAITI ARE Azougene says: ACTIVELY BUILDING SOIL EROSION BARRIERS TO FORTIFY THEIR FARMS “MY SAVINGS PERMITTED ME TO REPLANT MY FARM AND CONTINUE MY BUSINESS. MY SMALL BREAD BUSINESS HELPED ME TO FACE THE NEEDS OF THE FAMILY AFTER THE HURRICANE.”

PLANTING HOPE thew struck. “Before the storm I had been are not shrinking, but Plant With Purpose Since the hurricane, Azougene’s first priority involved in agroforestry, but I wish I had communities are gaining momentum and is to replant and rebuild her farm—her fami- had time to build soil erosion barriers,” he rising to face them. ly’s source of security. Plant With Purpose’s recounts. Sonel’s farm will take longer to Sustainable Development Group model recover from the effects of Matthew, but incorporates training in sustainable agri- seeing examples like those of Azougene, culture and watershed restoration. Families PLANT WITH PURPOSE FAMILIES he is encouraged to equip his land. “Now learn how to improve farm yields and grow I am building many barriers and my farm- CUT THEIR LEVEL OF POVERTY BY more food, leading to long-term resilience. ing techniques take emergency into ac- TWO-THIRDS. Farmers like Azougene take an active role in count. Next time I will be ready.” improving their land, making changes that reduce the impact of natural disasters and When asked how the the experience of other environmental shocks while also al- Hurricane Matthew impacted his faith, lowing them to feed their families. FACING GIANTS: WORLDWIDE IMPACT Sonel expresses that his trust in God was Partners like Azougene and Sonel un- never shaken. He said that throughout Azougene is replanting her crops and con- derstand the importance of developing a the storm he knew that he and his family structing new soil erosion barriers. Her safety net. As Plant With Purpose families would be okay. original soil erosion barriers prevented total continue to invest in their land, they have devastation by the hurricane. While most of 44 percent higher crop yields (when com- her crops were lost, her land was not signifi- pared to non-participating families), and cantly eroded, which enabled more rapid re- increase the depth of vegetation cover in “GOD HAS AND WILL PROTECT US.” planting and recovery. While Azougene and their larger watersheds over time. her family still smile, many of her neighbors do not. “My farm was eroded from the wind As farms begin to provide once again, our Azougene and Sonel have both begun the and the rain, but my neighbors who are not partners are putting money away for the hard work of rebuilding their farms. Their Plant With Purpose partners are worse off. I future. The average Plant With Purpose children have gone back to school and cannot rebuild my farm and my house and family has twice the savings reserves of normal life has resumed. Rebuilding is replace my animals at the same time,” says non-participating families who live nearby. an uphill journey, but partnering families Azougene, “but I will keep saving money And as these families find security, they in Haiti are regaining their dreams for the and get them all back!” are putting their faith to work—providing future. They rely on a God who is unceas- help to their neighbors 20 percent more ingly faithful and now recognize options in Partnering farmer Sonel met Plant With Pur- often than non-participating families. The a situation where others would find come- pose just two years before Hurricane Mat- giant challenges that afflict rural families back to be impossible.

These are the type of stories that Plant With Purpose celebrates. Stories of come- back, of resilience, and of hope.

SONEL IS NOW EQUIPPING HIS FARM FOR FUTURE EMERGENCIES

PLANTWITHPURPOSE.ORG 5 NURSERIES PARTNERING WITH PLANT WITH PURPOSE TO CHANGE LIVES BY PHILIPPE LAZARO, MARKETING SPECIALIST

Plant With Purpose has been blessed by the generosity of so many different kinds of sup- porters. These include a few tree nurseries! We’ve found partners who are enthusias- tic about trees—both in providing them for homes, businesses, or commercial use and in helping to provide them for rural communi- ties overcoming poverty.

Robinson Nursery in Oregon grows hun- dreds of varieties of trees and shrubs in the Willamette Valley. The nursery began their partnership with Plant With Purpose after dis- covering the organization through a fellow nurseryman. A shared appreciation of the long-term benefits of planting trees made the partnership an excellent match. Their support is contributing to the of several PLANT WITH PURPOSE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE watersheds. DAVE MAHAR AND JIM CIRRINCIONE, PRESIDENT OF HINSDALE NURSERIES When asked what excites him about Plant With Purpose, nursery owner Rick Robinson replied, “I like the idea of teaching people how to fish rather than just giving them some.” Plant With Purpose seeks to empower Hinsdale Nurseries also sought to make areas include the eroded hills of Haiti, locals to take charge of tree planting efforts by a global impact through trees and found the farms on the slopes of Mount Kili- providing skills and training, rather than just their ideal partnership with Plant With manjaro, and the vital rainforests of the materials. “We were looking for God’s lead- Purpose. The Willowbrook, Illinois-based Congo. As the presence of trees helps to ing on where we might go with some of our growers specialize in landscaping servic- heal soil, farming populations are able to funds.” es, retail, and wholesale plant sales. They grow more food, increase their income, decided to sponsor the planting of one tree and avoid famine. “Now more than ever,” for every tree they sold. “Hopefully we will adds Dobrowolski, “it is important to “[PLANT WITH PURPOSE] SEEMED have provided exposure, as well as finan- have a global view of the world. We are cial support, to a worthwhile organization,” all connected, and there is value in help- LIKE A ‘GOD FIT’ TO US.” explains Retail Manager Paul Dobrowol- ing people both at home and abroad.” ski. “The reforestation of rural agricultural areas should allow farmers to stay on the same land where their families have lived for generations. The results will help keep CHRIS AND JOSH OF a sense of community.” ROBINSON NURSERY INTERESTED IN BEGINNING A CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP WITH PLANT WITH PURPOSE? “THE LOCAL CULTURES WILL BE KEPT ALIVE AND THRIVING BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE.” There are numerous opportunities to get involved. The partnerships with these nurseries are sustaining much-needed reforestation ef- Email [email protected] forts in countries where severe deforesta- to discover your next step. tion has been at the root of poverty. These

6 HOW IT WORKS AN INSIGHT INTO PLANT WITH PURPOSE’S HOLISTIC MODEL BY CHRISTI RENAUD, DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR

TRANSFORMATIONAL THE PROBLEM THE SOLUTION DISCIPLESHIP

Rural poor are left behind Sustainable Development Groups How faith magnifies hope

Currently 85 percent of all people Plant With Purpose has found a At Plant With Purpose, our goal is who live below the poverty line are cost-effective, scalable solution. We to equip and empower local church rural, relying on the land as their do this through Sustainable Devel- leaders to disciple their congrega- main source of livelihood. Over 500 opment Groups. In these groups, tions and grow closer to God. One million smallholder farms produce 25-30 families meet weekly. They theme often expressed in small- most of the world’s food. Yet, this is start by saving and build a fund that holder farming communities is the the very group that struggles the provides three things: loans for busi- myth that God has forgotten about most under the burden of poverty. ness development, microinsurance them. Thankfully, as we read through to help families weather the ups and the Bible and talk about our role as How did this happen? On one hand, downs of small scale farming, and stewards and co-creators with God over the past 25 years, the world’s a way to build financial assets so in creation, this misperception is attention has been focused on solu- that they can realize their dreams. demolished. tions that impact urban populations. At the same time, environmental The group also serves as a platform Farming families across Plant With degradation, a root cause of rural for training in Plant With Purpose’s Purpose programs are discovering poverty, has often been viewed as unique mix of sustainable agricul- calling and purpose through caring too complex to tackle. Another chal- ture and environmental restoration for their land, families, and com- lenge is the misperception that en- techniques. With over 30 years of munities in a God-centered fashion. vironmental issues are separate research and testing, we’ve found Families are learning to recognize from our call to care for people. But the right mix of techniques to help the many ways that God has always rural poor families are the first to families grow more food today and will always be present, walking feel the burden of shifting weather while turning the cycle of environ- alongside them no matter what may patterns and environmental degra- mental degradation and poverty come. This is discipleship in action. dation. The causes are often beyond upside down. the control of the local community. When a critical mass of families liv- ing within a shared hydrological boundary work together, the impact multiplies. Each family benefits, but so do their neighbors. This adds up. Farming families are learning that they do indeed have the power to change the course of history by gathering together to restore and replenish entire watersheds.

PLANTWITHPURPOSE.ORG 7 Plant With Purpose NON-PROFIT ORG

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HOPE IN A WEARY LAND Check out our new website: plantwithpurpose.org

Mothers in are finding hope

THANK YOU FOR HELPING FAMILIES GROW OUT OF POVERTY