Multi Faith Farmer Training

By Sara:

Earlier this year, a friend invited me to do an agriculture training in her village near Jinja.

The group was about half Christians and half Muslims, made clear by the introductions: Christians said "praise Jesus/the Lord, my name is ___" and Muslims said "salam alaikum, my name is ___"

We did a short Bible study together from Proverbs 12:10 "The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."  After that, I taught about some specific ways to improve how we care for our animals.

It was clear that there were many knowledgeable farmers in the group who wanted to gain more ideas for improving their livestock production.  They were very happy to learn how to make a homemade salt block for their animals and to know how to trim goat feet.  Since many of them raise their animals with a cut and carry system (bringing the food to the animals rather than turning them out to graze), it was also very helpful for them to know the water needs of different kinds of animals.  They realized that most of their animals were not getting enough water to drink every day.  For example, it was shocking to find out that an "improved" dairy cow needs about 80 liters of water every day to produce the maximum amount of milk.

 (One of those yellow jerrycans, which people use to carry water, holds 20 liters)

I was pleased to see a group of farmers who were both Christians and Muslims, enjoying doing a Bible study together and interacting with each other as friends.  People often wonder how relationships are between Christians and Muslims in Uganda and they are generally peaceful.  

It is also encouraging to see Muslims who are willing to study the Bible together with Christians, with openness to hearing God's word.  I hope that this training (though it was one-time) helped these Christians and Muslims to develop closer relationships with each other and will give the Christians opportunities to invite their Muslim friends to further Bible studies as a way to share the good news of the Gospel with them.