As you know, our move to Lusekele came from a desire to do something about malnutrition in one of the most densely populated areas of western Congo. While the Baptist hospital at Vanga is the centerpiece of one of the most effective rural health zones in the entire country, malnutrition still stunts the life of one out of every three children in the area. Church agricultural programs have languished, unable to attract support and the best agriculturalists. Clearly Lusekele needed help in facing this overwhelming need. The call to us seemed clear. The Baptist Convention here gave its blessing. International Ministries concurred. And the One Great Hour of Sharing offering kicked in support for one year. The goal is to create an effective nucleus in the fight against malnutrition and the rural poverty that causes it.

Today we are beginning to see some of the first fruits of that partnership. The renewed interest has really helped the demoralized staff here. Variety trials are up and running again with a 20-variety test of early-maturing cowpeas, a protein-rich bean-like legume. For the first time in 5 or 6 years Lusekele has been invited to ask for further variety trials of cowpeas and soybeans from a major international research center in Africa. The agricultural program looks to be at the forefront of efforts to introduce disease-resistant, high yielding manioc varieties starting in September.

But today's big news is the promise of support for Lusekele's promotion of small-scale palm oil production in our area. High yielding palm varieties can produce 6 times more than wild or unimproved varieties. Economists say that a 2-acre plot of palm trees could net a farm family $360 per year. For a family of seven that could mean the difference between slowly starving part of the year and having a normal diet and the chance to keep their kids in school.

This support doesn't just mean that Lusekele can go ahead promoting high-yielding palm trees. We were going to do that anyway in a modest way with gifts from churches and friends. But now the Baptist Convention can help six times the number of people. In the first year, 250 families will plant 150 acres of palm trees. Even more exciting is that we might be able to expand the program in a second year, making an important (if modest) contribution to the revitalization of a shattered rural economy along the Kwilu.

A year ago it was only believers that saw the problem of malnutrition. Our Congolese colleagues are helping farmers because they are convinced that this is part of the powerful expression of Christian faith and witness. Told of the need, American Baptists responded with a missionary and seed money to revitalize the agriculture program here. None of us were certain how these modest efforts would ever have an impact on malnutrition among 250,000 people in the area. But today other players are waking up to the need and are willing to reinforce what Christians have started. God had a purpose. We praise Him today for the spark of hope this new support gives us.

Palm trees take five years before they start producing. So the results of this will be slow in coming. But the journey starts with a step. We can already anticipate that five years from now, at least some families will no longer have to choose between adequate medical care and starvation or sending kids to school and starvation. How can you not help jumping up and down a little for joy over that? I think God does.

Ed Noyes

NOTE : Malnutrition is a complex problem. Per capita agricultural production is stagnant or declining for many reason. The cost of manufactured goods and paid-for services (like a hospital visit) have risen in relation to farm prices. This put the farm family between a rock and a hard place. Selling one's food is often the only way to resolve a problem or satisfy a need (like raising the money to make sure your kids remain in school.) Lusekele approaches the problem from many angles: improving farming efficiency through new varieties and better techniques; helping farmers to negotiate better prices for their crops; encouraging complementary activities that generate more income for farmers.