May Planting Faith E-News

…Spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ by elevating subsistence farmers to sustainability.


May 1, 2008


Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings from Kenya,

If you have not seen our blog, please check out http://plantingfaith.blogspot.com/. We try to update it weekly with news of our work here.

Things seem to have settled here in the past few weeks. While there are still occasional accounts of trouble within different parts of Kenya, these incidents appear to be isolated and more of a crime issue than an issue of post-election violence. We do pray that peace and reconciliation will continue among all of the people of Kenya. We believe that it will take quite a while for the process of healing here, as there are many who have felt the effects of the tragedy of late December and early January.

The international news here lately has placed quite a bit of emphasis on the issue of a global food crisis. Indeed, the media is finally looking at a problem that has been in existence worldwide for some time. The inputs necessary for agricultural production make it quite difficult to profit from farming in many parts of the world. In a country like Kenya, where such a large percentage of the population depends on agriculture as a way to earn a living, this has a tremendous effect on the economy. Coupled with the economic troubles from the recent election troubles, it is quite a challenge to continue in agriculture. However, now more than ever, the farmers here need the encouragement and knowledge of how to build upon their successes to move from subsistence to sustainable farming. Our projects provide a way for these farmers to earn cash income in addition to providing food for their families; these projects do not take away from the provision of food for these families. The projects also provide cash to that will be reinvested in agriculture within each community for many years to come.

Our work continues to progress, and we are entering quite a busy time. All four groups have now planted and are eagerly anticipating harvest. In all groups, we are looking for methods to contain costs in the present market of inflated prices of inputs.

The two passion fruit projects are roughly at the same point on the time line. Business classes are completed in Mang’u. This group is now working toward installation of the posts and wires necessary for trellising of the plants. They are now into month 6 of their passion fruit crop. The Murang’a group has had a few complications along the way, but they are now also working toward installation of posts and wires for trellises. Their business classes are near completion.

There are two groups that are growing flowers for export. The Ngarendare group is growing Moby Dick flowers, which they should be harvesting by July. Their business classes are also near completion. They will be hosting a short term mission team in mid to late June, and we are looking forward to that experience. The Kabete group planted their Bird of Paradise flower seeds Easter Monday. This group has only recently been formed, and their business seminars are still being scheduled. The flowers take a bit longer to harvest than passion fruit, but the plants produce for several years.

Discipleship training has been an important part of our ministry focus. We are most thankful to have had the assistance of Dave Chaves, an Anglican missionary here in Nairobi, assisting us in this aspect of training. With his assistance, we have been able to cover the business training, discipleship training and technical assistance simultaneously. Dave has a real gift of establishing relationships with the farmers, and we have all enjoyed his presence.

We have also recently had the exciting prospect of a new employee for Planting Faith. Michael Rhodes is graduating this weekend from Covenant College and is planning to join us for a one year internship beginning in August 2008. He is presently in the process of raising his support for next year, so please keep that process in your prayers. We have received the most glowing reports about him, and we feel blessed to have him joining us next year.

The Lord has certainly blessed Planting Faith with plenty of work to do and funding to make it all happen. But, most of all, we feel that the prayer support we have been receiving has been what really keeps us going. Thank you for all of your prayers. The past few months have been stressful to say the least, not only for us, but also for our family and friends at home. Your encouragement in words and prayers has been a lifeline many times.

Family life is going well. Both of our children are at transition points in school as Mary Shea moves from Elementary to Middle School and Horace moves from Middle School to High School. They are both looking forward to the changes, and we feel that they are both ready for the changes and challenges in the coming year.

Please continue to pray for this ministry and our family as we wrap up the school year and continue our work. The month of May always seems to bring a hectic schedule whenever schooling is involved, and it is no exception here. We also continue to pray for you at home, and thank God for giving us the blessing of your support.

In Christ’s Service,



Horace, Anne, Horace, Jr. & Mary Shea

March Newsletter

Dear Friends,

If you have not seen our blog, please check out http://plantingfaith.blogspot.com. We try to update it weekly with news of our work here.

Now that peace has come across Kenya, there seems to be a wave of optimism amongst the people here, who desperately long for sources of hope. In this case, government and opposition leaders have signed a power sharing agreement that has brought an end to the violence that wracked the country in January and February. Everyone is now praying that the peace is indeed lasting, and it appears that this will be the case, as the international community is doing everything possible to make sure both sides keep up their ends of the deal.

Our work is now going well. We just started a new farmer group in an area outside Nairobi called Kabete. This group will be growing the bird of paradise flower for export. This is truly a long-term investment, as they won’t harvest for 12 months, but once they begin, the plant will live and produce income for them for years to come. In Mang’u and Murang’a, the passion fruit farmers are doing well. Their plants are growing taller and will need trellising very soon. In Ngarendare, the flower farmers are preparing themselves for harvest. Because most of them are new to the crop they are growing – Mobydick – they are going to visit a farm in the village of Naro Moro this week where they can witness firsthand the harvest and grading of these flowers.

Because life came to a standstill in many parts of the country during January and part of February, most everyone will tell you now they are working double-time to catch up because of all the lost time. Anne and I are no exceptions. We’ve been holding two farmer meetings per week, teaching, checking crops, holding discipleship lessons and just managing the general welfare of the groups, since the signing of the peace agreement.

The question remains, however, is how did a country which professes to be 85% Christian let this happen. In a number of sermons and talks we have heard, this question is posed by Kenyans to Kenyans. While the answers vary, one common theme amongst everyone is that renewal in Jesus Christ is truly needed here. Only He can bring about the true reconciliation that is needed amongst warring people groups, and that of course, is reconciliation through Him in truth. Maybe in some small way we too can be a part of this process. Only the Lord knows.

Life on the home front is pretty normal. Mary Shea broke her arm last month, but now has her cast off and appears to be fully healed, as she has gone back to swim team practice. Horace has just wound up his basketball season. His team made it to the semi-finals of their tournament play. Everyone on the team was pleased with how they played this year, even though the season was interrupted because of the violence early on. Rugby season is coming up soon.

We recently sold all but one of our Labrador puppies…yahoo! We have one left who is unfortunately very sickly and must get well before we can even think about selling her. However, as easily as the others sold, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Spring break is coming soon, and all of us are happy for the much needed break. We are going on a short trip to the Kenyan coast (thanks to the sale of the puppies) and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everyone is very excited, especially the kids because a lot of their friends will be there as well.

As Easter approaches, one can’t help but be reflective on all Christ has done for us. In times such as we have had in the last couple of months, the message of the Cross truly brings it all home. Had Jesus not died and rose again for our sins, life would truly be chaotic all the time, but because of His grace, we can see glimpses of His glory shining through even in times of despair. We once heard that one cannot truly experience Easter unless he experiences Lent as well. We cannot agree more emphatically. This will truly be a Lenten season that we never, ever forget.

Yours in Christ,

Horace, Anne, Horace, Jr. and Mary Shea