Planting Seeds of Hope in Nicaragua “There is so much more to a ‘successful life’ than dollars in their pocket, or even food on their table.” This reflection from Farmer to Farmer Partnership Manager, David Van Klinken, might seem to contradict his  work to support a group of former landless farmers in Nicaragua as they make a living and feed their families. However, this reflection fits with the desire of the farmers in Nicaragua and their partners in Iowa to make God reign in all aspects of their life. Yes, the farmers in Nicaragua are increasing their profits and improving the quality of life for their family, but the true measure of their success is their desire to now serve others. The landless farmers in Mombachito have realized the potential God has supplied them in the form of His Son’s sacrifice and the bountiful earth they are farming. This worldview was the fertile soil that made the famers receptive when David planted the seed to incorporate agricultural training into one of the farmer’s prison ministry. God sprouted this seed when the farmers began asking how they could use what they have learned through the Farmer to Farmer partnership and if they could be teachers to the inmates at the local prison. Rolando Mejia is a respected leader on the landbank who mentors many of the Nicaraguan farmers both on farming and spiritual matters. He also has three prison ministries and one of these ministries is at the Nicaragua Military Prison. Few, if any, of the inmates knew Jesus as their savior before Rolando began visiting them. The warden told Rolando there has been a complete transformation in the prisoners since Rolando began visiting them. With Rolando’s invitation, and truck full of compost, tires, plants and tools, David and four of the farmers set out on a Saturday morning, ready to give their first lesson on year-round food production at the prison. With a truck full of tools and compost, the farmers were greeted by a quiet  group of on-lookers with uncertainty written all over their faces. Ricardo began speaking about farming in tires.  He stated that "if vegetable plants are grown above-ground, there is no need for pesticides". Interest grew when he borrowed a knife, and began cutting a tire to flip it inside-out.  Soon, ten inmates were involved in cutting tires, digging holes for posts, and placing tires on top, three feet off the ground. Interest continued to mount when Javier told one of the inmates to smell the composted soil.  He explained that the rich aroma was actually soil alive with organic material and nutrients. Lucas Sr. explained how year-round food could be had by this method, and how it protects plants from deadly under-ground grubs with voracious appetites.  His wife Maria Louisa then began showing how to transplant onions, cilantro, and radishes. Ricardo explained that it was not necessary to purchase expensive seed.  He pulled a small ripe tomato from his pocket and said "this cost me 1 Cordoba (less than a nickel) at the market.  It has hundreds of seeds inside which God has supplied for us." By that time, the eyes that once held only doubt were filled with enthusiasm and hope. The farmers were excited to teach, and the inmates were eager pupils. For the many who have prayed for the success of the Mombachito famers, your prayers have been answered 20-fold the day your farm partners became teachers and servants in their community. David summed it up well when he said, “Their actions went further than their teachings in growing vegetables.  Their actions truly proclaimed the ‘Bread of Life’ they have in their Lord and Savior.” Click here to support the Farmer to Farmer project in Nicaragua. Type "Farmer to Farmer" in the speical instructions line. Partners Worldwide Homepage