9.16.2009

Seedlings germinating in the Ebenezer nursery


First cabbage seedlings

The apprentices have planted tomatoes and maize in their fields. The next crop will be cabbages and it's really great seeing the germination of the seedlings taking place.


Onion bed looking good

The onions have germinated well and will be planted in the Ebenezer Kitchen garden.



Nursery in full swing with onions and cabbages

By Molly Manhanga

Buildings in progress

It's exciting to see the work being done at Ebenezer at the moment. So many changes...amazing


Thatching of the dining hall is almost complete


View from inside the dining hall


View of one of the staff houses going up

By Molly Manhanga

9.15.2009

Encouragement to the 1st year apprentices pt 2

With Mark & Heather Wells

Business:
Business works like farming with the 4 principles of On Time, To Standard, With No Wastage and With Joy. These principles will help your business grow.

Here is a taster of the 4 pillars:
On Time:
On time is crucial in business. It talks about how well you do your business and your relationships will be good.

To Standard:
Set standards in work. Learn how to run your agricultural business, take the profits and set up another business. It’s important not to just set any standard but the correct standard. Find the correct level of doing things and have an appropriate standard.

No Wastage:
It’s the same in agriculture as in business. Try not to waste opportunities. When running your business, don’t waste time. Do things right for the business not what you want to do.

With Joy:
Be happy and people around us will be happy. Work with joy as it is more effective from a business point of view. You’ll make more profits.

Mark having a lighter moment with the apprentices

Apply these principles to your business. Do it because it works better as a business.
Acts 3:1 – 10 ; Many people in Africa and other nations are looking for handouts. Lets look at Peter – he didn’t give a “hand out” but a “hand up”.

Ebenezer will give the apprentices hand up’s and we’ll see them walking, leaping and praising God. It all starts here.

Compiled by Molly Manhanga

9.14.2009

Encouragement to the 1st year apprentices

With Mark & Heather Wells

Mark and Heather Wells spent some time with the 1st year apprentices, encouraging them to continue being focused and working hard. This is what they had to share:

Zimbabwe is a wonderful country with many opportunities. The apprentices are learning agriculture and they represent a big part in the prosperity of Africa. God is doing great things with the young people as they do things for themselves, communities and the nation.

The apprentices will feed many. They have the opportunity to use their skills on the land to grow crops to feed themselves, communities and the nation. They can go beyond subsistence farming. It’s exciting because the apprentices have the opportunity to have profitable, vibrant, big businesses.

Heather addressing the apprentices

Education is also an opportunity given by God. The Bible speaks about people having knowledge and that they are special. The apprentices are very special and they have a unique opportunity at Ebenezer.

Psalm 78 speaks about passing on knowledge from generation to generation: pass it on to the family and to the apprentices. They have the opportunity to be productive on both the land and in their families. The apprentices need to understand just how special they are and that they are making a difference.


Mark in deep thought before addressing the apprentices

Each apprentice is chosen by God and they need to make the most of every single opportunity. They are part of a bigger community and are encouraged to teach people. God knows everything about us. With education you can do lots, you can do business.

Written by molly manhanga

9.03.2009

Thatching has begun.....

Thatching underway…
It’s just great to see the classroom block being thatched and the speed in which the guys are working. Impressive – totally.


Phase 1:

Classroom block not thatched


Phase 2:


Thatching has begun


Phase 3:



Thatching almost complete

Phase 4:


Completed classroom block.

By Molly Manhanga

Graduates speak out pt 2


August 2010……My expectations… pt 2

The graduates have been working in their fields as well as receiving training from Lance Edwards and Renee Cunningham on Business plans for the year.

Lance and Renee training the graduates

Mqondisi Moyo: I want to get more knowledge in running my business and how to lead other people.


Sithabiso Tshuma: I’d like to learn more about profits so that when I leave, I can start my business.

Simangaliso Ndlovu: I would like to impact the 1st year apprentices that will be coming to Ebenezer Training Centre. I also want to learn more about profits so that I can learn more about my business and get to know God better through his Word.

Written by Molly Manhanga