The events on Thursday and Friday lead me to believe that Jesus really loves farmers ;)

After work on Thursday, Robert and I had an important
meeting.  His work contract is up this
month, and he was worried for good reason that he would lose his job.  He and his boss had not been seeing eye to
eye on things.  Robert has been a farmer
for over 20 years, and definitely knows what he's doing in the field.  I was not about to see him lose his job.  Robert and I met about the goals of the farm,
the problems that keep us from completing out main goals, new ideas and
solutions, last years advancements and success's of the farm, and the future
vision Robert had for McCorkindales.  It
was a lot to talk about and our meeting may have lasted almost 2 hours.  I wanted the agenda document to look
professional so I hurried from work and caught the public transport into
town.  I went to an Internet café and
typed up this document:

Farm Meeting Agenda

Farm Goals:  Becoming a self-sufficient farm.  It is essential for this farm to grow more
prosperous in the upcoming future.  With
continued success self-sufficiency will be possible.

§        

This is a goal that we can be agree on

§        

Everything decision we make re-guarding the farm
affects this goal  

§        

How can we work together to make this happen as
soon as possible

Problems:  Current issues we are facing on the farm
that is separating us from completing our goal. 

§        

There are
crops in the fields now that are rapidly over-ripening.  It is already too late for some of them, but
we must get these crops harvested immediately!

§        

We are in
need of a vehicle on the farm. 
Whether to haul produce, be efficient with time, or pick up other inputs
a vehicle is absolutely necessary for the farm.

§        

We have
major issues with the Labor system here. 
The issue is not that they aren't working hard, but that they are absent
or late to work.  There is also a problem
with workers showing up drunk, making them less dependable.

§        

Resources/inputs:  When the farm needs items/inputs we need them
faster.  We cannot produce high
yielding crops without the right resources. 
The proper inputs will help us complete our farm goal.

§        

Communication
is too slow and ineffective.  When I
have tried to contact the office about crops being ready or requisitioned for
inputs needed for crop production there is a delayed or sometimes even no
response.

Solutions & New
Ideas:  How can we work together to
solve these problems that are a barrier to us completing our main goal

§        

New/specialty
crops - There may be some startup cost, but the opportunity cost for these
markets is worth it. 

§        

Know the
landscape/crop location - Having worked here a year I am familiar with the
soil and parts of the farm that yield good results with the different crops.  As we continue growing and rotating crops we
will be able grow specific crops in the areas they will grow the best.

§        

Small
nursery - Bringing a nursery to the farm will help considerably in the crop
production process and will increase yields

§        

Labor
motivation & authority - To make this farm self-sufficient there needs
to be some sort of tool that keeps our field workers coming to work on time or
even at all!  I propose there be a small
weekly or monthly incentive for perfect attendance.  Though it would cost us a little bit, it
would ensure that all the work on the farm gets done on time and would
encourage workers never to miss work.

§        

Labor
authority - I need to be able to run the operation as the farm manager.  That means being able to make decisions that
involve employee discipline.  Maybe we
need to come up with new policies for employee attendance.  We need to get this labor issue under control
as soon as we can.

§        

Farm
Success - I want this farm to succeed more than anybody!  If we take a stand on solving some of these
problems and implementing new ideas I know we'll move towards our goal.   

§        

Suggestions?  Is there anything you recommend about
these discussion topics or any new stuff you think would be an option?

Future of the
Farm:  I am very hopeful for the
future success of this farm

§        

Positive
changes in the farm last year - We have made new progress, growth and
direction this year!

§        

Vision
forecast for the future - What's to come next year and what are some of the
changes we will make

 
Just for you section

§        

What do
you enjoy you job at the farm?

§        

Ask about
contract status!  Negotiate a new
contract!

-Be looking out for the best for your family and your future

 
I made it to the farm early on Friday morning.  Robert and I prayed over the document.  We prayed for the meeting, for Robert's job,
that God would have favor on the farm, and we prayed for everything on the
agenda list.  The result of the meeting was
not short of a miracle.  Friday may have
been the best day of my life.  Robert's
meeting was at 9am with Father Larry.  He
went into Larry's office and asked Larry to read over the document.  Larry got really upset at Robert and said
that all this crap had already been discussed. 
Robert then explained that nothing on the list had been solved.  He pleaded that they go over this list and
take everything on it seriously.  They
got about halfway through it and Larry invited the rest of the staff to come listen
to Robert's requisitions and ideas.  The
document was copied about 15 times for all the staff to have a copy.  So Robert started the presentation from the
beginning and absolutely everything on the list was supported by one of the
staff members.  Even Larry was really
pleased with the new ideas, and was fully backing Robert by the end of the
meeting.  Also, Robert will have a new
work contract by tomorrow!  All his kids
will be able to stay at St. Joseph's school. 
I was worried about paying for Lindo's education because I knew that
Robert was likely to get lose his job.  I
should have never worried about it because God always provides for the needs of
His children.  We should always know that
he is faithful to His word and to answering prayers. 

While Robert was at the meeting I worked in a previously
harvested corn field.  We cut down the
corn, the tall weeds, and grass with machetes and slashers.  It was liberating to be swinging a big knife
around.  We brought down that whole corn
field in a couple of hours.  The rest of
the day we pulled wire out of the tomato field. 
I was really anxious to hear the news about how Robert's meeting
went.  He phoned me, and seemed excited
about the meeting.  We met on the road
when I was walking to catch the public transport and he was walking home.  I have never been so excited happy in all of
my life.  Robert told me how God had
answered every prayer we prayed that morning. 
We jumped around, danced, and praised the Lord's name.  We celebrated because we knew that the Lord
had done everything, and we gave all the Glory to Him.  I remember little St. Joseph's kids walking
by us while we were busting out in random prayer and praise.  The kids were looking at us like we were
crazy, but we were just so happy and enjoying the spirit of thanksgiving.  That was by far the best day of my life.  Friday was when the Lord confirmed to me that
this is the place he wants me to work until I leave in may.  I know the Lord has a lot more good things in
store.  I loved Jesus more than I had
ever loved Him in my life on Friday.  I
hope that love continues to be so strong and passionate.  I also hope that this testimony motivates you
to want to ask the Lord for the ways you can serve Him.  He wants all of you so bad so just let go of
your own agenda and give Him your life. 
Believe me when I say he wants it!