The last two weeks I have learned more information about small-scale agriculture than I ever thought was possible to stuff in my artistically minded brain, but I did find it quite interesting. ECHO is a non-profit organization that trains missionaries how to minister through agriculture and meet not only the world's spiritual needs but it's physical needs as well.
Andy and I found out about ECHO during our training at MTI earlier this summer. Andy was immediately interested in visiting ECHO because he will be helping out on the CLM farm as part of his duties. Even though he was a lot of experience with large-scale commercial farming, he wanted to learn more about small-scale subsistence agriculture. He arranged for a two week work-study program and I agreed to go along party because I didn't know what I'd do without him for two weeks and his passion and vision for the CLM farm is infectious.
We spent the mornings working with the interns at ECHO weeding, planting, constructing raised beds, fixing irrigation systems and helping with animals. We spent the afternoons studying in ECHO's wonderful library or attending seminars presented by the ECHO staff about soil fertility and water filtration. The work was hard but we enjoyed being outside and getting hands on experience.
In addition to our work and study, we enjoyed getting to know some of the interns and visitors at ECHO. The interns spend a year taking care of a specific area of the farm and learning about techniques for farming in various regions of the world. We shared a duplex with one of the interns, Scott Britton and his wife Martha and their daughter, Liliana. They were so much fun and we loved sharing some meals with them and getting to know their family. I've found that in our travels this summer, the hardest thing is getting to know our precious brothers and sisters in Christ and then having to say goodbye. We will miss the ECHO family!
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