Report from Heifer International’s Overlook Farm
By Georgette Huie, Acting Director of Youth Ministries & Children's Choir Leader
"Wow — that must hurt! I'm sure glad I'm not a girl!" proclaimed one of our sixth-grade boys as he witnessed a ewe giving birth to two lambs. Such are the life lessons a farm can give young humans.
Nine members of the Middle School Youth Group and four adult chaperones spent the first weekend of May at Heifer International's Overlook Farm in Rutland, Massachusetts. The Heifer Project provides farm animals to poor families and communities around the world, that they might improve their quality of life, not just for a short time but for years to come.
We are blessed that Heifer International has a teaching farm here in New England. For two nights and one day, we experienced briefly what life must be like for families who must rely on the land for their sustenance. We spend most of our time in the Global Village, first building and maintaining an open fire, then cooking and eating very simple food. There is not much to go around, and after cleaning up, we go to do chores around the farm. We learn what it must be like to work hard every day with not much to eat. This year, we had lunch in "Guatemala," and then we were split into three "family" groups: two in "Mexico" and one in "Mongolia." Our group braved the darkness and the insects, and slept in two simple shelters on wood slats — just as a poor family in Mexico might do.
Heifer staff spent time with us, leading us in reflection and learning, helping us to think globally and act locally. One of our sessions was very timely: we learned why buying locally grown produce is beneficial — just in time for the Farmer's Market here at Saugatuck!
As we closed out our time at Overlook Farm, it felt good to be able to give to the staff the money our church school raised for Heifer International: $755! It certainly is money that is well invested.
Given that a number of the Middle School youth are already talking about next year's trip, it appears that Overlook Farm will be on the schedule in 2010! If you are interested in visiting, there are opportunities for individuals, adults and various types of groups – visit Overlook Farm's website for more information.
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