I’d like to share with you an internship that I am doing that will hopefully be a life changing experience.
This is a challenging ministry opportunity God has presented to me. From January 9th, 2011 until January 30th, 2012, I will be interning with World Hunger Relief, INC., in Elm Mott, Texas. My year long internship will focus on developing skills in sustainable agricultural production and problem-solving, learning approaches to community development, cross-cultural communication and adult education, developing a holistic approach to Christian missions, understanding the socio-political contexts of world hunger and identify appropriate Christian responses, and becoming familiar with food technology, nutrition and health issues. After completing the 13 month training, I will be doing a 3 month stent overseas helping in an agricultural ministry. Here’s a little more detail:
- The WHRI farm produces organic vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, and organic pecans for sale in the local market. I will be, therefore, involved in all aspects of running a working farm (planning, production, research, marketing, etc.) WHRI try as much as possible to utilize production techniques appropriate to developing-world settings. These include composting, cover cropping, biointensive integrated pest management, drip irrigation, multi-species rotational grazing, pastured poultry, etc.
- In addition to farm work, I will be involved in leading school tours, teaching classes, speaking to churches and community groups, service projects, and leading devotions on a rotating schedule with other interns.
- I will be responsible for running one of the small businesses of the farm and in my case this would be livestock. For example, I will be taking care of areas like goat’s milk and eggs.
- To supplement my practical learning, I will attend classroom lessons two afternoons per week. Curriculum for these lessons covers a broad range of topics, but centers on sustainable agriculture and Christian missions. On the next page is a very brief overview of my curriculum.
The Lord has really been putting a scripture on my heart during this time of preparation to leave for Texas. "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever." 1 Timothy 6:11-16
Another scripture that has been on my heart is: "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5
I will leave you with those scriptures as I continue to pack. I will probably post once more before I leave. If you have any questions or comments just leave 'em here!
Only because of Christ,
Beck
