Ambrose stands in the middle of his dream. Thousands of cassava plants surround him in every direction, almost as far as the eye can see.
He is a farmer, thanks to the lessons he learned through a TBM-sponsored effort, a lot of hard work and the help of the other residents in his village who are investing in him.
Water Impact, a ministry of TBM: Texans on Mission, is working in Ambrose’s village, bringing it together through Bible studies, drilling a water well and launching a community-based microfinance effort similar to a savings and loan. The first helped Ambrose grow spiritually. The second helped him grow healthier physically. The lessons and opportunities for the last sparked the possibility that he could actually become a farmer who owns his own land.
Using principles he learned, he began saving a little each month and contributing to the village-wide savings account that empowers residents to make low-interest loans to each other for various business efforts. Small steps each month snowballed. He bought land a little at a time, and the village loaned him some money to buy his plants. When he sells them, he’ll have more than enough to repay the loan.
“Because of being obedient to the words that I was taught, I'm going to be a rich man next year,” Ambrose said. “I want to plant much more than this. This will have given me the strength to plant more.”
As his farm grows, he’ll be able to better provide for his family. But he’ll also be an income generator for his entire village as he hires other residents to work the field and continues putting money into the microfinance effort, making economic growth possible for others.
“We’re seeking to transform villages in Northern Uganda for generations,” said Water Impact Director Mitch Chapman. “That starts with the Gospel. We want to share the Gospel through everything we do. But it also means improving lives physically with clean water and giving people the tools they need to support themselves.”