“In 2023 Cyclone Freddy decimated the villages and fields surrounding Blantyre. Nine months later hunger, real hunger, was an ever growing and constant reality. Such is life in Malawi, the number four nation on the World Poverty Index.

One year after Cyclone Freddy, Mary Beth and I stood in Mtutile Village’s maize field. We were here by these Malawian villagers’ special invitation. “Come! See our fields!” was their joyously extended invitation to us. The I WAS HUNGRY training twenty Mtutile villagers had attended eight months ago was, for the villagers, a huge success. And, they could not contain their Joy. Showing off their fields was something never before done in Mtutile. Now with just two more months until harvest, Mtutile’s hard work, perseverance and the I WAS HUNGRY transformational training would soon put food, lots of it, back on the menu.

That evening, Mary Beth and I sat at home reflecting on this day’s privilege. “Babe, can you believe it? We got to play a small part in their outrageous joy!”

Just one year earlier I had sat in my car and eyeballed Mtutlie’s destroyed houses and fields. Instinctively I reached for my wallet as if it was a magic wand. Easy-Peezy! Sell a stock from our retirement fund and then throw money at the village’s problems! But I had learned this type of relief effort, although making the donor feel great, would not produce any lasting results. But today, I was witnessing overflowing joy. Smiles were all around. Mtutile’s abundant harvest had been produced from their own hard work.

Today’s joy and smiles are the effects of a marvelous new poverty alleviation tool. The I Was Hungry two-week training is a truly transformational combination of farming, finances, family and faith. Now when I visit Mtutlie village, I exit my car committed to the training, not to charity.

Mtutile’s extreme poverty was the entry point for Crown’s I Was Hungry. Their coming harvest will, in turn, produce a rich generosity. I now see the bit part Mary Beth and I were picked to play. “God, I get it. Everything we had earned and learned in our 35 year long careers is now in play here in Malawi. I no longer build with sticks and stones. God, our good God, has entrusted Mary Beth and I with building into His precious people. This is a new game with a new score book. ‘And God, thank you for true riches!’”

We recently received this letter from one of our dear partners, Mobali, who may sound familiar from past updates:

“Dear friends,

I am still trying to find the words to briefly outline what this first training at the Crown Stewardship Center in DRC meant not only for me but for those who participated.

In total, we had 20 registered, of these, 18 were able to participate, 2 more were unable to attend due to restrictions at their refugee camp. 13 of them were Muslims which made the training very special.

The Chief outlined that our training was more practical than usual. It was important for participants to walk through our demonstration fields, and be able to ask questions. They were surprised to see the methods we use and how our crops are growing. They were amazed when they saw our Pfumvudza plots of maize and soy and how much we could harvest from them. We covered Compost theory and we will do a practical follow-up in the upcoming weeks. Participants learned Foundations for Farming theory and practice and Crown African Money Map. We also had the opportunity to discuss some of the issues that affect this community such as hunger, lack of medical treatment, witchcraft, and lack of practical farming information.

The training in general brought hope to the attendees. We want our trainings to be effective. For this reason, these participants will not receive a certificate of completion until they are able to build a Pfumvudza plot, have a healthy compost pile, and show that they have tracked their expenses for 3 months. We still have a lot of work to do as Cédric and myself will follow-up with them.

We could have not scheduled this training without your generous donation; thank you for making it possible and being part of it. There is still a lot to be done, and we would appreciate your prayers for our upcoming registration process and the growth of our center. We need God’s favor and grace to help and impact the community around us. May the Lord bless you!

With deep appreciation, Mobali”

Please continue praying for Mobali and the incredible work God is doing in the people of the DRC.

Debbie and Lance Robbinson, a dedicated team serving at a youth camp and leading classes at a church in Tanzania, faced a challenge: they were asked to teach a Financial Stewardship course with only 2 days to prepare and 1 hour to teach. So they called us. We swiftly equipped them with the African Money Map Road Map, guiding them through its 10 transformative stations and joining them in praying over the students who would attend and the material that would be taught. The impact was extraordinary!

Debbie and Lance joyfully reported, “Praise to Jesus – the presentation of the principles from the Crown Money Map were well received. This group of students here are sponges! They took notes and were so attentive. I have had two different organizations that work with the Tanzanian community ask me about the material. I will send you their information and give them your information as well. God is so good!”

This ripple effect, where the seeds of financial stewardship take root and spread, is a testament to the impactful multiplication of our ministry. It’s not merely a class taught in a corner of the world; it’s a transformative experience resonating through the hearts and minds of the individuals and organizations we serve.