Tales From A Poopsmith

When someone goes into a community with the intention of “helping the poor” without taking the time to build relationships it can do more harm then good in the long term.  The storm the beaches and impose our worldview approach has proved itself as erroneous thinking time and time again globally.   

As I started trips into Haiti and working closely with a co-op of local rice farmers it became evident this was a partnership worth investing but at the correct time and place.  Early on in the endeavor a man traveling with us declared these farmers need a tractor, to direct seed their rice from a plane, and understand their small fields will produce no real economic benefit.  When I actually listening to the federation leadership and fi their needs with the cultural realities of Haiti no one really cared about direct seeding and yes, one field producing more rice might not affect the Haitian economy at large it would benefit that individual family.  As one family saw the example more would follow their lead and ultimately the enhancement of this community food system could impact generations. 

Skipping ahead almost a year we have been purchasing this federations rice while enhancing our friendships.  We have been building trust, creating market by buying locally grow rice, and finding value added revenue for the rice waste products a transformation has started to take place.  As the yield has increased so has the income of the farmers and in direct response ownership in the process has lead to the federation now paying for the school teachers – NOT A NGO.  They are cleaning their irrigation canals – NOT A NGO.  They entered into a cooperative loan to purchase an upgraded milling system – NOT A NGO.  As they have started this change it was time to increase our partnership and take them to a new level of production.   (Granted still small scale by American standards) But when you partner with a group of people who have ask, not for a handout but a little push, the results are amazing.  

Two weeks ago we partnered with the federation by holding the note on a nice 51 horsepower Kubota tractor with a rotovator attachment.  When I say hold the note I truly mean these farmers who once depended on the handouts from NGO’s for almost everything came up with the terms of 8% interest, $1000 dollars a month and over a 36 month period.  We gave them the grace of 3 months (next harvest) for first payment and a reduction of 8% interest compared to the normal Haitian rate.  There is nothing like being approached to partner when we are both putting skin in the game.

In a half a day of working the tractor they prepared the same amount of land it would take 10 farmers 1 week to complete – that is the power of partnership. 

Overall the sole on the Pure Connect is very impressive and for a multiple surface run from road to trail it is a good option for the Ozark clay, but if you are strictly running trails in the Ozarks stay with the Cascadia.

As a runner transplanted to the south central United States from the beauty of Northwest Washington it has been an interesting adjustment to say the least.  The upside of the move comes on days like today – it is currently 65 degrees and the sun is shining bright.  The downside will hit in July when the temperature is 100 degrees and 90% humidity with a heat of index “don’t run you will die”.

In the attempt to find my new happy place for running that is comparable to my favorites back home like Silver Lake Park in Whatcom County, Bridle Trails in Kirkland, The Inter-Urban Trail in Bellingham, or my personal favorite “Freeman’s Trail” which is nestled in the hills of Mt. Baker and created by Hall of Fame Coach and 68 Olympic marathon hopeful Jim Freeman, I have stumbled on a 1.5 mile trail just outside of Springfield, MO.   This trail is a perfect combination of hills, trees, lake views and plenty of soil.  This soil when wet is full of clay that ribbons well into the 2-inch range.   (Soil speak for lots of clay content)

Over the last few weeks I have ran this trail in wet conditions in the Brooks Cascadia and Brooks Pure Connect.  Each of these shoes is created differently but equally impressive for all things in a quality running shoe.  The Cascadia is a trail shoe with very aggressive tread while the Pure Connect is the new neutral minimalist shoe recently released by Brooks.   As the Pure Connect isn’t a trail shoe I was curious how it would compare.  Here is Jason’s Review

As a trail shoe the Cascadia was 9.5/10 based on traction, cushioning from roots and rocks, and mud collection.  The only reason I throw in a 9.5 is because when running in wet Ozark clay the mud collection was extreme which added to shoe weight and traction issues.  This however is petty because I was spoiled by the high organic matter mountain soil of the Northwest where this extreme clay build up is not an issue.

As a trail shoe the Pure Connect was 8/10 based on the same three qualities.  The overall performance of the shoe was slipper like.  I can say I have never felt a running shoe feel so natural – like wearing a slipper on the run.  On the trail it displayed the same natural feel but because of the less aggressive tread (Brooks does have a minimalist trail shoe) it was hard to navigate up a couple hills but didn’t keep me from getting up them.  The surprise was the small amounts of clay pick up on the run.  The flat tread was the reason but I expected much greater clay clinging to the shoe.  The cushioning was good but because of the sole design some rocks were felt but not painfully.  Overall the sole on the shoe is very impressive and for a multiple surface run from road to trail it is a good option for the Ozark clay, but if you are strictly running trails in the Ozark stay with the Cascadia.

Happy Running

Three weeks ago I travelled into Haiti for my initial orientation of how Convoy of Hope operates on the ground and the role I will play in it.  During the six days of travel I was immersed in the culture and truly saw a large portion of the country, especially the areas I will be focusing my efforts.  On arrival I was pleased I could put my experiences from Nigeria, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Grenada together to combine what Haiti was like in smells, geography, and culture.  If I had not had those previous experiences this would have been a dramatic culture shock to my system.  However, with that being said, Haiti is a poor country and I saw the things one would expect.

The first couple days of travel included connecting with local rice farmers who are currently growing rice for our children’s feeding program (CFI).  Convoy is one of two organizations working in Haiti that are deliberately purchasing Haiti grown rice in their program.  (Convoy pays more in this approach but the goals is helping the local growers)  My role is to be a resource for the growers as they try to increase their capacity.  The story of Haitian rice production is a long sad one, but in short US rice coming into the country over the last 20 years has killed the local market and destroyed farmer incentive.   This is a picture of me with the president of the new local rice federation during a Q and A session.

We also spent a couple days in the mountain regions where I will be connected with local farmers in an effort to help them with their food production.  One of the main worries is water management during the dry season and best management practices for the more 24 crops grown in the region.  When wandering through the farm areas it is evident the knowledge is there but not everyone received the information.  In the mountains I will be working with 208 identified farmers connected to local feeding programs and information transfer will be one of our main focuses.  As most people should know, whether in Haiti, Africa, or North Dakota you should never count a farmer as dumb.  Below are some rice farmers we came across after walking up a trail for 30 minutes.

I also got to see first hand the benefit Convoy is having on the ground in Haiti.  I can say without bias (for real) the investments people are making into Convoy are going to kids.  One of the things that impressed me about COH was the accountability and screening involved for those partnering with Convoy.  There are very strong measures being taken to assure lack of corporation and during the school year monthly health reports are required from every child being helped.  Here is one of those pictures I just had to snap.

Lastly, we got to see the damage remaining from the earthquake.  People ask what was it like?  The damage is still widespread and the recovery is slow, however what did surprise me was the overall randomness of the damage.   There were areas harder hit but still in those hardest hit areas some buildings remained untouched.  The tent cities remain and still grow in some cases, which adds to the impact of storms like Irene, but some progress is being made.  The lack of progress is a combination of rules, culture, and politics (my opinion).  He is the palace that the locals told me was the devil’s house.

It was a fascinating trip and the next report will be on specifics related to my role in the Haitian picture.

Over the course of time evaluation is necessary, although not always pleasant, always beneficial.  Honest evaluation, the process of taking off the gloves and pounding loose the frayed edged and getting to the core.  As the raw core is exposed one discovers true strengths and weaknesses.  The strengths are then praised and refined while the weaknesses are treated, rebuilt, or eliminated.  It is when we address the weak, without reservation, we move forward in long-term strength and growth.

Liebig’s Law of the Minimum states, “Growth is controlled not by the total amount of resources available but by the scarcest resource (Limiting Factor)”.  It is our weaknesses (limiting factors), which determine the true yield potential.  The limiting factors, even when not considered a weakness, must be addressed.  In an organization there’s vision, value, staffing, infrastructure or forethought, in the personal dimension skills, education, resources, and most likely character all can be considered.  However, by confronting the limiting factors we prepare for the overwhelming blessing God has for us on the horizon for from the Refiner’s fire comes what He desires.

The question then becomes, when was the last time you opened up yourself for God to address the limiting factors in your life and what did you do about it?

I have come to realize the PhD process was one large refining process to bring out the imperfections of my character.  It is now time to address the limiting factors for when the next blessing comes God can be honored in my marriage, family, and life.  It is never easy to see your character flaws in the mirror but thankfully His yoke is easy and his burden is light.

It has been brought to my attention some people would like a few updates on the move to Springfield, MO and as I am working on some final edits for a paper thought this was a good lunchtime distraction.

We moved during the hottest summer on record keeping our kids inside the house, until last weekend.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the wind was blowing and it was a nice 85 degrees with low humidity.  As the good Dad I forced my kids (yes forced – it was a very long ordeal) to ride their bikes for at least 20 minutes before playing the Wii.  Once the debate was over they jumped on the bikes and as a Dad trying to reinvent himself after graduate school I jumped on my bike to ride with them.

Now if you know my oldest he is a good combination of both his mother and me and this ride was bringing out the best of both – the competitive spirit with a side of talking trash.  As any good Dad (remember trying to learn to let loose and have fun again) I challenged him to a race and consequently smoked him.  This got the juices flowing and he was not going to be outdone.  He turned the bike around and started back the other way (downhill) as fast has he could go – tempting me to catch him.  As I blazed by him at 20 mph (32.1 km/h for my science friends) I heard the fateful crash.  As I looked back on the hill here was my son sliding along the pavement with all the flare and volume he could make go along with it….

As I ran to his aid hoping it was pure drama verses reality I saw the blood and road rash.  Hoping this was the climax for the crash I picked him up and watched his left arm drop at 90 degrees 2 inches (5cm) above the wrist.  Yep – Dad was taking him to the ER.  We walked home with his arm in a shirt made sling and the rest would be set in history by these words uttered to the ER.

“my Dad forced me to ride my bike when I just wanted to play the Wii – it is his fault” 

The transition has been what you would expect when you move across the country to a new job away from family and friends.  The journey of finding a home church and “our own posse” has not been the easiest.  There is a good chance Mary’s posse is going to be Roller Derby!  (tell her she should at least try)  It has been great to connect with Northwest Network friends Bill and Marie Hennessy who have gone out of their way to show us how to manage Springfield.  It is fun to see how friendships from a trip to Nigeria in 1999 can still remain strong.   In the transition Noah (19 year old exchange student from Grandview came with us) has been a delight and made this whole process doable – especially helping Mary put the house together.