Land Crisis Update

Thank you for your prayers! Jerry went to the capital of the Department (think State Capital) to look into the land problem. Last year a government surveying team came to check our boundary markers, and one of them had warned us that we might lose land because of a new law that says, in summary, “if you don’t use it you lose it.” We have over 200 hectares here (About 500 acres), and while we continue to expand our agriculture program, much of our property is still undeveloped.

We never heard anything further, however, until about two weeks ago when the school director, Cornelio, greeted the owner of a neighboring cattle ranch while fueling the truck in town.

“We need to talk,” the neighbor said. “The government is taking away our land and we need to fight it!”

The new survey results label the entire back section of our property as government land. Cornelio immediately dispatched Jerry to see if there was anything we could do about it.

Jerry arrived in Trinidad feeling very small and incapable of doing much, but with a prayer in his heart, he went to the government office early in the morning and explained our situation to the secretary. The secretary told him to come back at 11:00 am to speak with the director, as that was the time scheduled to hear all complaints from landowners.  When Jerry returned, the waiting room was full of people.

Wow, I’ll be lucky to get five minutes with the director. He thought. I’ll just have to make the most of it. Lord, give me the words.

Meanwhile, back at the school, I was praying with my students in class.

“Lord, give Mr. Jerry grace in the eyes of the officials” we prayed.

When Jerry’s turn came to speak to the director, he introduced himself and explained the reason for his visit.

“I kept expecting her to tell me my time was up and send me away, but she listened politely and expressed interest in the school.” Jerry told us later. “She seemed impressed when I explained to her what we do. I ended up talking to her for a full half hour. When I showed her the map, she remembered seeing it in committee, and told me that the case was pending and the decision had been scheduled for early next week!

‘It’s a good thing you came right away’ she said. She promised to send another team of surveyors to reevaluate the situation within the next week.”

All this week we waited for the promised survey team to show up. On Friday I began to worry that they would come on Sabbath and we would have to tell them to return later, but the day has passed without event.

We praise God for His providence, but continue to solicit your prayers.

The official from the survey crew that came last year recommended that we obtain some livestock, and we began a project immediately to cut fence posts from some lumbar on the other side of the creek, and we have fenced in a couple of hectares that are now the home of nine ewes and one ram. Although it represents an effort, it is not likely to be anywhere close to enough. For example, our neighbor has a herd of several hundred head of cattle, and the government is still cutting back his land. We have no hope outside of a miracle. Of course, this school has always existed and operated only by the grace of God. As long as He wants us here, we aren’t going anywhere. This is His school. We are thankful for this opportunity to grow in faith and see the salvation of the Lord.

May God be with you.

P.S. Another new teacher has arrived, and more will be coming soon, Lord willing. God always provides (Philippians 4:19).