Co-ops and lizard

August 25, 2012

Just had coffee with a man from Germany who is working with pepper farms.

He started a co-op with pepper farms.  He is going to get me a

copy of their by-laws.  Gave me so much info.  I am going to be

meeting with him a lot. He has a very good relationship with the Minister

of Agriculture and Fisheries.  

One of the most important things he said was to take it slow.  

Make sure we are doing the right thing in the right place.  

He had never done a co-op and didn't know a thing about them.

But he does now.  After 4 years they now have 135 farms in the co-op.  

He commented that the Cambodian government is really encouraging them.  

They have a whole department set up to help you put it together.  Especially

if you're going to help the poor people in the villages. That is what he did.  

They sold shares in the co-op  for $25.00 USD each. You had to buy one and no

more than ten shares. After one year they had $40,000 USD. Now they make

loans with this money to poor families to start pepper farms.  Loans are

for one or two percent.  They are adding one or two farms every month. It has

taken four years to get to this point. Just think of how much more effect

it would have on the people if they were shown Jesus along with this!

He said first thing to do is to start our own fish farm so we can show 

them how we want it to work.  He said he would help with anything I

need. He also said we need to do organic and he will introduce me to the

man that will tell us just what we need to feed them. To meet that

requirement. Organic brings twice the money and there is a huge for it.

Why is it that the only help I seem to be getting is from the secular

world?  Don't get me wrong. I will take the help wherever I can get

it.  If that is how God is putting all this in my path then I will take full

advantage of it.  One of the reasons is most likely that the 

Christian mission has never done this kind of thing here. So I have

to get help from those that have been doing it.  Only when we do it

will everybody know that the reason this is possible is because of

Jesus. I was praying and asking God why I only seem to get support of

non-Christians.  What I heard, don't know if my thoughts or God speaking, 

but it was that they know how to do what I want you to do.  

There was my answer.

Yesterday met Rith's brother, sister and their husband and wife while 

there. They showed me a big lizard and asked if I wanted to come 

to dinner and eat.  I said sure. That really surprised them.  They couldn't 

believe I would eat Khmer food.  They asked why I was helping Rith.  

I said cause Jesus put us together.  All the money I give Rith for language 

class he gives to them so they can eat better. All of six dollars a week!  

We talked about Jesus a lot. They are very curious now.  I never brought it

up. They did.  But I took full advantage of it. Now they are waiting to

see just what I do.  I believe that what I do is much important than

what I say. If they see things happening then they will ask why. Then I

can talk to them and there is my opening.  They see something

happening and want to know why. Then there is action before behind

what I am saying not just words.  

By the way the lizard was great. Cooked in coconut milk (chanang). 

Delicious! 

Well enough for now.

God Bless! 

Tomorrow I meet with Rith's father.  Pray that it is a God thing. Not mine. 

Let me see... more thoughts

Well let me see what I can add to what I already said.      

I don't think classes should be held on company ground. Would make it seem more like it wasn't theirs.  

The most important thing is for it to be theirs as much as ours. Also it would be good to have a model program so that others could be taught how it works. So others could go do it someplace else.  That would be hard to do if doing at someone's. Family don't have to control  but need to be able to work it so it is the most effective. 

Not sure what the costs would be but nothing compared to doing business in the States. Maybe 3000.  Not sure. Don't know what land cost to rent but feel this is the way to work it. It has been one of things I was worried about. Starting something with someone and just as things get going they decide they don't want to do it any more.  

This way we would be able to keep it going and improve on it as it goes. I don't really know much about how a co-op works so would need some one that could make a business plan for that. Need to know how the profit is divided and what each person will get for what they raising.  Co-op would get share for managing, buying supplies, book keeping, etc...  We would want a plan to show the difference if they stay with co-op or if they go on there own.  I am going to be talking with some different ones about prices and marketing.  Now that I have a direction  to go.   Don't want to go that far until I know where, in what location, we are going to do something.   And just what we plan on doing. 

Sending this. You may find something in it to add to the last email. Leaving Kampong Chanang  at 7:30 am.  Takes about four hours to travel back to Kampng Cham. Should be online  about 10 pm your time. Need to have as many things written out as we can so it doesn't look like we are changing in the middle of the game. 

That is another point we need to consider.   They will think we are trying to get something over on them if they are not part of everything.  And the whole point is to make it so they can do it all. They don't need us there in putting the plan together.  But need us there so we know just what we want to be raising.  Also want to work with them doing things the way they have been with very few improvements added. 

More as time goes by.

Fish, fish and more fish!

Where to start?

I just wrote this and lost it. Will try again.

I just spent 2 1/2 days with some NGOs. Eye opening.  Can't believe they do what they're doing knowing that when they leave things will most likely go back to how they were before they started. The reason is they never have enough time for their program to become a way of life. They just throw money at it and know while they're doing it, it most likely won't help but one or two people.  Not that they aren't doing some very good programs.  But if it is a grassroots thing not a lot hope for it.

The big programs i.e. medical hygiene and water they do very good at.   But trying to set up families in business is not one of their stronger points.  It takes too long. One can't get enough funding for small projects for the long haul.  They don't really want to spend that much time on one thing. They want to see things change fast. The ones doing the projects and the ones that are giving the money.  

I asked several from the NGOs "then why they do these projects."  The main reason is hope.  But also the money is there and someone's going to get its use. So might as well be them.  They do believe that if you are really going to make a change then what you need to do is live with the people. Become part of the village.  The respect you get is unreal. They know that you have given up comforts to live with them and try to help them. 

Another problem is NGOs and Christian both don't think in the terms of making money.  Making a business that is self sustaining.  Making a profit.  Why?  Because we get our money given to us.  It seem that NGOs and Christian, well some at least, are starting to think that it might be better if we teach them how to "fish" instead of "fish" for them. 

So after many hours of talking and running different things by each other this what we came up with.  

We don't want to start a fish pond with just one family at first. What has happened a lot in the past is the family says they will do it the way it is set up.  As soon as it is time to sell fish,  or they don't think they are getting enough,  they tell you that they don't want to do it any more. Even though you have a contract.  The only thing you can do is walk away. You could take them to court.  But why? Even if you won you would also lose.

No one in the village would want to do any thing with you. We would have to move and try again.  Or they just quit till you leave.  It is hard for us to understand.  But if you have never been in business or had enough to eat  then it would change the way you think. They look at the first money they get like someone who gets a big insurance settlement.  All the money in the world. 

They need so much and they have so little.  Don't have a clue about profit and loss.  So when they do get some they don't know how to handle it. No different than most.

So here is what three minds came up with.  

We should rent land for 3 to 5 years. This project is long term!

This would be a Co-op.  

About  4 acres. Enough for 5 to 8 ponds and room for two families and myself to live and take care of the fish ponds. 

Pay them 1.00 day plus a percentage of the profit.  

Have them take classes in business with a very strong Biblical principle.  

Want them to learn every aspect of business.  Want them to know where the money is going.

That was another thing about NGOs. They don't want people to see just how the money is spent.  It wouldn't look good. They say NGOs get the gold and we get the dirt.  If we rent the land we have control over it including how things are done.  

The key is to always involve the people in all aspects of the business.  They will be living with and helping run the company/ministry to the community so it won't be like it is solely ours. It will be everyones that stays involved.

We would make this our prototype, so to speak.  I believe this format could be copied in many communities.  Just need to see what each community needs. Not all will want to do fish.  Everybody in the village will be watching.

This would be Christian company with big cross in front so everybody knows it is Jesus making it all happen.

After about seven months should have sold two or three ponds of fish. By then we will start looking for families with land that want to join co-op. We would loan them the money to start at a low interest rate.  They would have to join and remain with the co-op until the loan was repaid. At that time they could choose to stay in or leave.  We believe they would see the benefit of the co-op.  At least that would be our hope.  

We would also do this with the Vietnamese. That would make the Cambodian and Vietnamese work together which they do not do at this time.  We believe that when other villages see what is happening, how families are doing better, and that Jesus does make a difference, many others will want to be involved.

This is the vision God gave me to change lives for Jesus through business. The path my have taken a different format but still the same.

The Perspectives Course we took said that having a compound was not a good idea cause then the people figure they're just there working for you. This is different. Everybody is working as a community to better their lives through income and the Lord. 

We have not run any costs on this yet. Just now figuring what path is the best one.    

Will let you go for now.

God bless!

Mark

marktmasingale@gmail.com

Kampong Chanang

I have been invited to to Kampong Chanang.  It is about 90 km from here.

Will be taking my moto on first big trip. Pray for safety on the road. I am meeting some people from Phnom Penh to look at many big fish farms. Hope to learn much and take many notes. 

Kampong Chanang has the biggest population of Vietnamese boat people so will be seeing that too. It is at the south end of Lake Tonle Sap, the biggest lake in S.E. Asia.  I was there about four years ago on a NGO medical boat. That's when the Lord gave me the vision for the Vietnamese on the Mekong. 

It has taken four years for this to come full circle. That is a very long time for me. If you did not know I am not the most patient man on earth!  But God always finishes what he starts. It is me that used to quit before the finish line or decide that I needed it done in my time not His. Will write as soon as get there. God bless. 

Mark     

Always thinking and praying for all back home.   

Oh I am in Colossians right now. It is so fulfilling to read the New Testament from beginning to end. Well, not quite there yet.  Not sure I want it to end.

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Arrived safe and sound.  Not bad but I end up in Phnom Penh.  Missed a turn but all roads going south from Kampong Cham end  in Phnom Penh.  I just missed a cutoff road.  So trying to get in touch with Andy.  Would like to see him if not today then on my way back to Kampong Cham.  God bless

Island

Here are the pics from the Island.  Don't think the ferry would pass Washington DOT!  

First took pic of lady cooking bananas then man asked if I would go with him. Took a minute to figure what he wanted but finally did. He took me Buddhist Wat (church). He could speak pretty good English. He wanted a photo in front of Temple. Before the first one was done about 20 kids and Monks also wanted a pic. 

Young boys that have very poor family can live at the Wat as long as they study about Buddha and go to school. You don't get orange covering until you show that you are committed to study Buddha's way of life.After take many photos I talked with the head Monk for quite a while about why I was giving away pics.  I told Jesus said I should go out do this cause everyone always taking pics but you never get one. Didn't go into fish ponds. Thought they may want me to do it there. But did say that the Bible says if God bless us we are to pass the blessing on. Not just keep for ourselves.  God told me come to Cambodia and see what I should do to help the poor. It was a very good time. 

Many of the kids sat and listened while we talked so now they know more about Jesus. They do know who He is but only believe that he was very good man.  I told them that I believe he was the Son of God and that when I believed it changed me. He asked how. I told him that before I believed I only did things for myself  but that now I need to do for others. He was pretty amazed at that. 

I think it was very good day. I know that I really felt good after that.  Kind of funny though. The 2 of the 3

places I took photos were at a Muslim village and Wat. Don't know what God will do with it but relationship are the most important. And I believe that God wants us to love everyone not just those that are like us. Anyway here are the pics. 

Oh ya, going back to Muslim village tomorrow.

Pray that God really does something there. Will take time. But that'sone thing I have.   

God Bless

Acts

I received this from Mark on the 11th. Just posting now as I was in Texas for a week. Hope you all enjoy reading what he has to say. I sure am!

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Just finished the 4 Gospels and if I don't hear the Lord after that then it is just like Jesus said: You have ears but you don't hear, eyes but you don't see.  Well I hear and see.  It has been a long time since  I read them all the way through. Now looking forward to the rest of them since I started reading these.  Keep wanting to go ride around and do something. But I got word from God to first do this. So this is what I am going to do.  

Pray that I hear just what Jesus wants me to hear. It is helping to slow down and not move until I hear Jesus say "move."  Satan keeps telling me I should be doing more.  But I have come to see Him for what he is most of the time.  But He is very cunning so have to keep my guard up. I know he doesn't want me to succeed. 

He who is in me is stronger than he who is in the world. Thank the Lord!

Rith says I'm doing very good in learning Khmer.  He makes me use the words and statements we work on. That helps a lot.  I have really been praying that God does a miracle in my learning Khmer. it will make such a big difference when I can actually hold a conversation.   

Just wanted to let you things are going good. It is much easier when you have the time to get close to the Lord.  Was so busy over there I never seemed to have the time to study. Well now I do! I believe it is most important that I know I'm in the right place.  Not just doing to do.

God Bless from this side of the world.   

Mark

Pic from the mountain top. Mekong Valley 20 km north of Kampong Cham

Games

Volleyball and where I eat sometimes. 

Fried noodles, vegies & egg.  About thirty cents. 

Just learning to use pics.  Frank is very good man.  Finally
found someone that made it easy.