Nehimiah, living in faith

Nehemiah Miwani farm started in 2000 and has grown to include the family homes, church, a 21+head dairy herd, goat herd, machine and wood shop, equipment shed and the individual families goats, cows, and family gardens. The farm activities are focused on organic practices both in the dairy and gardens. The dairy, which generates income to sustain the farm, provides milk to its customers and is known for high quality milk and hygienic practices. The goat milk, which is more easily digested by infants, is used at Disciples of Mercy which provides care and feeding for HIV + infants or infants born of HIV/AIDS infected mothers. David Isuvi, the Kenyan herdsman, is exceptionally well trained with backgrounds in crop and dairy science as well as training in veterinary medicine. His herd is very healthy and high producing. The farm is able to meet its feed requirements through rotating crops of Napier grass and maize which are grown organically with manure, and tillage for weed control. Silage is made from corn and Napier, used as additional feed when fresh cut feed is limited. I will never look at a carton of milk in the same way after helping chop corn for silage, shovel feed, and see the hard work and management practices that are necessary for a successful dairy operation.

Where's my mama?



Caffeine, the newest Nehemiah arrival



Afternoon milking



chopping corn for sileage




The cows are milked twice a day using a vacuum milking machine. The evening milk is refrigerated and then combined with the morning’s milk and delivered fresh daily. The dairy crew was great to work with always greeting you with a smile, handshake, and a traditional greeting. It was a social event more than a necessity to walk to the dairy barn each evening to get the house milk for our use. Fresh from the cow, the milk was used whole or centrifuged, separating cream for butter, skim milk for yogurt, and made into a soft cream cheese. Our meals were from the garden and rarely included any meat. We also ate a more traditional African diet of maize flour made into a wet loaf called Ugali. Maize, beans and rice served with a green called sukuma wyki are also traditional foods.

Central to the farm is the community of faith. While things of value as measured by the world’s standard are limited, faith and trust in God’s provisions are the capstone that holds all the activities of the farm, all the relationships, and all of the outreach into the greater community together. From the moment we arrived Hanna and I were welcomed not as visitors, but as part of their family. Prayer is integral to all of the day’s activities. Prayer is not superficial or self seeking, but earnest and heartfelt. A deep and serious discussion with God for his will and his protection. It is a way of sharing burdens and uplifting each in the community.

For some the day begins at 4am for milking, but for the rest of us and the boys it begins at 6:45am for morning devotions with songs, prayer requests, words of thanksgiving and a short message. Wednesday evenings include worship and singing, and Sunday a church service. The church also serves as a place to host visiting church groups, have a community potluck which we thoroughly enjoyed one Saturday evening, and for showing a movie on the wall.

While faith is the hub of the community, outreach to the greater area is the natural expression of a desire to serve God through service. Outreach activities have, and continue to grow. Hanna and I had the great opportunity to participate in these ministries, which opened a deeper look into Kenyan life.

July 17