After living in Oaxaca for several years, one might think that he has just about seen it all, but there’s always something new to get your attention … and most of the time the Lord uses it … to keep us humble.

As I looked out of the office window of the house we rent, I could see an elderly woman quietly and as quickly as possible, move to an area that had any kind of decent grass growing, spread out her bag and quickly cut the grass as low as possible with her hand sickle and lay it on the bag.

Everybody here knows that it’s a big No-No, to trespass on somebody else’s land and even more so when you take without asking … from that land, so I was surprised to hear her outside, but I could see her desperation. I noticed an elderly man off in the distance, that was presumably her husband. After I admired their efficiency for a while, I made my way down out of the house and went to go greet them. I tried my best not to startle them, but the look on her face when I came out the front door said it all and then she said “I didn’t see anybody around and thought it would be okay to take some grass for my animals … there is less land available for the animals to feed on now, than before”. I greeted them both and told them that they are welcome anytime and in fact the very place where they are searching for animal feed, will have a lot more of it in the future.

I enjoyed the great smile on their faces when I told them that this parcel of land was actually a mini experimental farm, that will be used to train people just like them, so that they can get more yields, out of less land and with minimal water usage.

So in the end, it was a great opportunity to meet new people and to let them know that not only are they welcome … but bring their friends next time as well!