Today we were African cowboys! Five families north of Xai-Xai had been chosen to receive two heifers as part of World Hope International’s project to increase the economic prosperity of isolated villages. First, fifteen families are recommended by the village chief, then those are narrowed to five who then complete an application and sign a contract to care for two heifers on loan for a period of four years. After that period they give back to World Hope two heifers but can keep any other animals born during the four years. The returned cattle are distributed to the next group of five beneficiaries, sort of like a bovine “pay-it-forward” plan—World Hope even throws in a bull for the village to use in creating the community herd. Our team drove out to the village to celebrate the signing of contracts and the cow selection.
When we arrived, we were greeted with song and dance by the ladies of the village, and then to our surprise we counted, not 10, but 12 heifers and one bull in the pen. It seems that the heifers had been busy of late. We were told this herd had been taken back from a village that did not take good care of them, and in the meantime two calves had been born. The question that came to mind was how these extra cows would be distributed. I found out once the “cow lottery” began. Each of the five recipients picked a number out of a jar, which determined the order that they could choose their cows. The first two families chose the mothers of the two calves, and you guessed it, received the “bonus” calf.
Then, one dignitary after another stood up to address the congregation to give basically the same message: the cows were not really their cows until they proved they could take care of the herd at the end of four years. Finally, the World Hope representative asked Dennis if he wanted to say a few words. Dennis indicated through the translator that he had something very important to say, but before he did, he wanted the entire group of people to stand up, sing and dance. This is exactly what the crowd needed to break the spell of lethargy that had fallen upon them. What happened next was even more bizarre—Dennis led off the dance, including a foot “stomp” with one of the ladies. At that point there was nothing else we could do but join him in “bustin’ some moves”!
Afterward, Dennis used the topic of “cow contract” to talk about his “contract” with the Lord, and how it was more blessed to give than to receive. We ate a delicious lunch of baked chicken, rice, peanuts and corn, and bottled soft drinks, which the team elders opened by popping the caps off with another inverted bottle. Jeremy and I played soccer and Frisbee with the kids before jumping into the SUVs to return home.
Alive in the Lord,
bill
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