Lover of the Least , Vol 7
by Keith Johnson
Growing Hope From The Ground Up
Dear Friends:
(Echo Visit - Ft Meyers, FL)
My visit to ECHO in Ft Meyers, Florida was an amazing experience that I will never forget. They truly offer "Hope Against Hunger" in Jesus name! David Strong and his team of mentors and interns are growing some of the most amazing plants, vegetables, herbs and fruit that will offer real nutrition to the poorest of poor in third world countries throughout the world. For more than four decades, ECHO has been equipping and empowering hungry families with knowledge and the life-giving grace of God. Their focus is on teaching sustainable farming methods. I will take 3 lessons learned back to Burma for application in our refugee camps.
3 Applications for Burma
Methane gas production to replace wood-fired cooking; prevents destruction of the environment and health issues from daily smoke inhalation
Miracle plants like Moringa and Neem that provide more nutrition and vitamins for the refugee children
Innovative Farming techniques like water reservoirs, raised beds, composting, ground cover, gravity pumps, water filtration methods for cleaner water
Lessons Learned in the Field
In the first newsletter, I mentioned that I am not traditional and never will be. I will give you the real story in the field as I see it and hear it and experience it. And of course, not to my surprise, I have gotten some reaction from friends; “Be more politically correct.” “Blur those faces.” “This is radical.” This is heavy stuff.” “I fear for the children.” “Be careful attacking the Burmese government.” And I will consider all of this but without fear. And I see lots of fear in the field, everywhere.
Wholistic Approach
My approach is to address physical, mental and spiritual needs with an emphasis on reaching the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The tools used include Business as Missions (BAM), better farming methods, English teaching, Field training, Bible teaching and Slum ministry to the Least.
For the past 25 years, I have worked with missionaries around the world but this last year I have taken it to another level. I have worked side by side with them in the field. I have spent many hours in one on one conversations and many hours on the phone listening to their issues and experiencing their challenges, including mental, spiritual and cultural. It has been quite educational and it beats sitting in a cart on the golf course checking my 401K. What value I add is yet to be determined. However, there is one thing I can guarantee. I will not, after 66 years on this planet, change my personality! I will never be politically correct and for the last 10 years, I have been haunted with a nagging sense of urgency for the Kingdom. Another guarantee………. I will always tell the whole truth as I see it and nothing but the truth, no matter how ugly and sinful and horrible it is!! And in the places we work, it is all those things and more.
The Glory or the Gory?
I have learned a bit about how difficult this life is. There is little appreciation for this work. Pastors, preachers and teachers and evangelists get lots of recognition and attention every Sunday morning on stage. They get thanked and get the Glory! It’s normally immediate. But field work is often overlooked and done in secret. Folks in the field are seldom thanked and often under appreciated. They get the Gory! They experience and see the ugliness of depravity and power and selfishness and greed and violence. They live under the radar and do the dirty work, day in and day out whether it’s in a refugee camp in the jungle of Burma or a home full of sex trafficked girls in Cambodia or a school of special needs five year olds in the slums of Bangkok.
Rock Stars
I have met some real rock stars in the field who have really humbled me. They love the poor and the lost and they prove it with personal sacrifice every day. In my last two trips to Southeast Asia since October, I have met some incredible people who work behind the lines, under the radar and seek no attention. They are extremely dedicated to their family, friends, other people’s children and the marginalized. It has humbled me to see these selfless servants take risks every day to serve the “Least”.
Lord willing and by the Grace of God, I hope to serve these servants in the field til the day I lay my head down for the last time on this planet.
