In late 2012, a group of men and women from across Canada were privileged to see the impact of food security programs firsthand by taking part in a Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Food Study Tour in East Africa. Twelve strangers from seven provinces and representing six different denominations embarked on a life-changing journey of exploring partnerships in Kenya and Rwanda. They shared culture, exchanged personal stories, and experienced both the challenges and the joys of life in our global community. Together they gained a better understanding of the complexities of access to food —what World Renew calls “food security” —for people living in areas where disaster and poverty is prevalent.

In late 2012, a group of men and women from across Canada were privileged to see the impact of food security programs firsthand by taking part in a Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Food Study Tour in East Africa. Twelve strangers from seven provinces and representing six different denominations embarked on a life-changing journey of exploring partnerships in Kenya and Rwanda. They shared culture, exchanged personal stories, and experienced both the challenges and the joys of life in our global community. Together they gained a better understanding of the complexities of access to food —what World Renew calls “food security” —for people living in areas where disaster and poverty is prevalent.

In the village of Ghazi in Kenya, for example, the team was able to visit with families who were part of a World Renew “food for work” project—digging water pans and clearing access roads in exchange for food supplies. As they received assistance, these families were able to give back to their community and gain sustainable assets to help make them strong in the future. In these same communities, World Renew is also working through our community development partners to teach better agricultural practices and farming techniques.

Village elder Florence Lukila (64), expressed her thanks to the team on behalf of the women who had been given new health and hope through partnership with World Renew. “Women suffer a lot because we are more concerned about food for our household,” she explained, noting that this suffering had been lessened as a result of our programs.

The group also met Mshai Mbogo (47)—a woman who has six children and three grandchildren in her care. Mshai normally grows maize, corn, and beans on a small plot of land, but droughts have prevented her from harvesting enough food in recent years. Before the food assistance, she would clean clothes or pick up other small jobs in order to earn an income, but did not make enough money for food and school tuition for the children.

When asked what she would have done without the food assistance she said, “It would be very hard, and we are very grateful. If you had not come, I would just have to continue to work as hard as I can, to do whatever I can, because my children need to eat. And, I know that God will provide. We are so thankful for this support because it is helping us to work together and provide for our families.”

Two of the participants on the Food Study tour were John and Wendy Taekema, who are members of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leduc, Alberta. For fourteen years, they have managed a Growing Project that brings community members together to grow and sell crops on a designated piece of land. The revenue from these crops is given to CFGB where is it is matched, on average four to one by CIDA, and then made available to World Renew for food assistance projects around the world.

John and Wendy were overjoyed to be able to meet people who were being helped through the support of the Leduc Growing Project on the CFGB Study Tour. “We had heard much about food security, food aid, climate change, etc. and thought that it would be great to see firsthand what kind of difference CFGB really makes,” Wendy said.

As they visited various project sites, they were struck by how happy and thankful the people were—and how willing they were to work for the food, seeing it as a privilege and not as an obligation.

“CFGB and their partners really do what they say they will do. There is nothing wasted, not in terms of either money or resource,” said Wendy.  “We have a new respect for both World Renew and CFGB.  People are given a hand up, not a handout and there are so many different ways to help, from food aid to teaching and everything in between.”

While Wendy and John felt personally blessed and inspired by the trip, they never forgot that they were part of something larger—a humbling ministry of God’s hope.

“Something incredible happens when you can see firsthand how others live and how their lives are impacted and changed by what we do,” Wendy shared. “Everything that is done is for the benefit of the people…no matter how good it makes us feel to be part of all of this, it is not about us. That’s why when John addressed the group at one of the food distribution centers in Voi, Kenya he said, ‘This is why we do what we do.’”

“When so much in our world is not the way it's supposed to be, this was a taste of the Kingdom of God.”

Another one of the CFGB Study Tour member was Eleanor Sinclair, who belongs to Christ Community Church in Nanaimo, BC. She described the whole tour as “an immense learning experience” — not just about the people being equipped with better food security, but about those making the ministry of health and hope possible.

“World Renew is working to go beyond emergency responses to sustainable development,” she said. “I witnessed intelligent, thoughtful staff who seek understanding through respectfully listening and through working cooperatively with Africa churches, other denominations and agencies to provide assistance. I am much more aware of the how CFGB works and of the excellent resources available through CFGB.”

One of Eleanor’s many highlights was her experience worshipping with men, women, and children at a church service in Mugogo, Rwanda.  The CFGB group sang the song ‘Murakoze Imana, Alleluia’ (meaning ‘Thank you, God, Alleluia’ in the Kinyarwandan language) with their brothers and sisters in Christ. “We were all joyfully giving thanks,” recalled Eleanor. “When so much in our world is not the way it's supposed to be, this was a taste of the Kingdom of God.”

While not everyone is able to travel such a distance and visit the communities and families who are being impacted by their partnership in giving, Eleanor and all those involved in the tour are now sharing their stories with their home churches and communities.

“I am now extremely enthusiastic to be a supporter of both World Renew and CFGB.  I feel called by God to share my experiences and to be an advocate for the hungry,” says Eleanor.

World Renew also recognizes that you do not have to travel overseas to be an advocate for those in need around the world. Anyone who takes up the cause of the poor and the hungry plays a critical role in the ministry.

On March 3, churches through North America will recognize Canadian Foodgrains Bank Sunday. Materials for this event have already been sent to congregations in Canada. Please encourage your congregation to make use of them and to hold a special offering for World Renew’s CFGB account. When you give to World Renew through our CFGB account, it enables us to multiply the impact of your gift to do even more ministry in times of disaster.

This year World Renew joins the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) in celebrating 30 years of ministry! World Renew has been richly blessed to be part of this great organization since its beginning. In fact, our ability to provide large scale disaster response and rehabilitation programs on a global scale today is largely due to our active membership in CFGB.