Our partnership farm in the Middle East just wrapped up the 2016-2017 season which produced more than 172 tons of fresh produce, while also training over 50 local farmers in the host country! This means we were able to provide enough fresh produce to evangelistically feed 77,805 Syrian and Iraqi refugees for a week while also ministering to their physical and spiritual needs (that is approx. 1 MILLION meals).   A new Hydroponics system was installed this year that not only saves precious water in this arid area, but also eliminates any risk of soil viruses while also reducing salt levels in the soil.  An even greater harvest is expected during the 2017-2018 growing season. 

Our partnership school for Syrian children in the Middle East just held graduation ceremonies in May. Over 135 Syrian refugee children are being ministered to in this school.  The school also opens the doors for the local church to visit in the homes/tents of over 80 families each week where the Gospel and love of Christ are actively shared. Just in this one city alone, this outreach has been able to reach out to over 20,000 refugees in the last three years. 

Our Cattle for Christ herds are continuing to grow.  Our AL herd now has approx 233 head and in our new TX herd we have 18 head.  All of our cattle are either donated from around the country, or raised from donated cattle, and 100% of the proceeds go to help fund the ministry.  In August, we will be donating and delivering six (6) of our Angus and Sim/Angus herd sires to help rebuild the herds of our fellow cattlemen who suffered devastating losses in the March wildfires in TX, OK and KS.
This is just one way that Cattle for Christ is able to give back to the industry that makes our work possible, while also sharing the Gospel and the love of Christ here at home.

In West Africa this year we are continuing and expanding our outreach to the Fulani people who are the largest nomadic herdsmen group in the world.  They are being heavily persecuted by Boko Haram (the ISIS connection in this region considered to be world's deadliest terror group by the Global Terrorism Index in 2015).  Over 2.3 million have had their livestock stolen, their familes separated and have been displaced by terrorist activities.  So far this year, we have completed a large water well and reservoir and some huts that are part of a much larger strategic plan to train and equip new pastors and evangelists to share the Gospel and minister to the needs of the Fulani in seven of the tightly closed countries in this region.

Also in May, Cattle for Christ was able to help fund evangelistic medical care to some of the very poor communities in Kolkata, India.  More than 1,500 people were treated and given the medicines and medical supplies they needed. OB/GYN and general medical care was provided is six communities.  As you see in this picture, when the Good News of Jesus Christ was shared, many came forward wanting to place their faith in Christ! Cattle for Christ also purchased two motorbikes to help some of the local poor church pastors become more productive and to increase their outreach in these very poor areas.