Sustainability in Spite of Instability in the Central African Republic

During the last several months, a band of rebel groups came together under the name Seleka (a word meaning “agreement”), and overthrew the government of General Bozizé in the Central African Republic. In late June, Evangelical Covenant Church missionaries Roy and Aleta Danforth safely returned to Gamboula, Central African Republic, as there had been a relative level of peace in most parts of the country. The Danforths had been in Cameroon for two months before coming home to the Central African Republic. Their work involves developing agricultural techniques in the Gamboula region of western Central African Republic and includes partnerships with CWR, Foods Resource Bank, and CEFA (Center for Experimentation and Formation Training in Agriculture).

Despite this backdrop of unease, the current agriculture projects are moving along with various experiments in controlling weeds, the raising of chickens, the growing of nutrition gardens, and training leaders of food co-ops in 25 neighboring villages. There is a lot to do and a lot to keep up with, but many local leaders are assuming roles of leadership, managing the programs, and carrying out the project in remarkable ways.

One more note: the roads and bridges have fallen into disrepair in the region, largely due to the closure of the nearest saw mill, which used to maintain the roadways. The Mayor of Gamboula and CEFA staff spoke with the next-nearest saw mill, asking to buy lumber from them for the roads–and the mill graciously offered all the lumber for free! This saw mill has even promised to grade all the roads and bridges once they are fixed, to return smooth transportation to the region! Praise God for this act of grace.