Official Blog of FARMS International

We recently received the tremendous news that a container filled with 18 donated greenhouses and 675 “Flip and Grow” pots had almost finished their trip to Moldova from Luurtsema Sales, Inc. in Jenison, Michigan! The greenhouse framing, 26 ft x 48 ft  These durable greenhouse frames will be distributed among Christian families that are part of the FARMS Moldova program. The green house is not only a gift, but an integral part of each project loan package. To make it a functioning project, plastic will be purchased out of the loan as well as the other items needed to make them successful projects. Without a doubt, these greenhouses will be a “dream come true” for many families. Their cost would certainly be out of reach for most families. Tomatoes starting out in Flip and Grow pots Tomatoes growing after the pots are flipped Up to 30 lbs of vegetables can be grown with each pot. The “Flip and Grow” three-gallon p...

Tamera in her home village Tamara began her life in a small village in southern Moldova. Sadly, like many children there, abuse and neglect destroyed her youth and self-worth. She shared her story with my wife Pat and I while in Moldova last Spring. "My life growing up was very sad. I felt more like an orphan than part of a family. I felt like rubbish! Worthless! I felt like there was no reason to live, I might as well die. My life was aimless. Then one day a girl shared with me a verse from the Bible. She read John 3:16 like this. So God so loved Tamara that he gave his only son that Tamara should not die, but have eternal life. For me to hear that God loved me, was such a surprise, so amazing. Love was something I knew little about. I knew nothing about God, or how to pray or even how to act. Then some time later a friend of mine gave me a Bible and by reading God’s word, I became a Christian in 1996. Because of this, my parents kicked me out of my home, but thankfully a Chr...

My wife Pat and I (Joe) had the privilege of visiting our program in Moldova this past spring. It was a fascinating trip. Our missionary liaisons, Ghiorghi and Cristiana Cazacu took us from northern Moldova to the southern border of the country. It is a beautiful country with rolling hills and rich farmland. Along the way we visited several of the families with existing FARMS projects and other families that need our assistance. A Baptist pastor gathering feed for his goats Moldova and Albania rank together as the poorest countries in Europe. Life in Moldova is extremely difficult, and signs of poverty are abundant. It is a common sight to see rows of men and women cultivating large fields with hand hoes; reminiscent of farming in America over a century ago! Good jobs are nearly non-existent, forcing many of the young and educated to leave the country. The costs of basic necessities are high and fuel is extremely costly. Horse drawn carts are a common sight. The average wage of a ...