ECHO - Mission offering for January

If you ever get to Fort Myers area of Florida (and who doesn't want to this winter), make time to visit the ECHO farms in North Fort Myers and take a tour of the Global farm and resarch area.   ECHO  empowers small-scale farmers to improve the yield for the land they have.  ECHO develops crops which increase the nutirients in the diet of the family as well as finds methods and equipment that are locally acceptable. 

ECHO helps create technology that is appropriate for the area in which it will be used.   When we visited there in 2010, Gene Albert (an old farmer boy) was very excited about McGuiver type equipment that they were using and perfecting.   Tractors are seldom seen in the countries we visit.  And if there is one, it doesn't work.  Usually the tractor is donated because for the giver, it is the only way to farm.  But as soon as a part fails, the tractor sits in the field as a reminder of a technology that wasn't appropriate for the setting.  

 

Our mission money for January will support the research, training and seed sharing that in the end helps our world make a dent in the number of people affected by hunger.  ECHO has an Indiana Methodist Connection. 

 Dick Dugger, Founding Board Member

ECHO was founded through the vision of Dick Dugger, who established its initial Board of Directors and its original mission. He has remained an active supporter of ECHO. Part of the story of ECHO follows:
Dick Dugger married his wife Jo during their final year of college at Iowa State University. In 1963, after gaining experience at several companies, Dick and a partner started Ristance Corp. , a business which manufactures electrical wire harness assemblies, plastic compounding and wire drawing. Dick and Jo joined a missions work team serving the youth of their church in 1973. On a trip to Haiti, their hearts were opened to the needs of local people. A Haitian minister took them to a mountain site where he wished to build a church. He expressed, “Here I can preach in the morning and the message would be echoed all day.” So, a new mission was born, and its name became ‘Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization’ (ECHO). 

The next door opened as the United Methodist District of Fort Myers offered use of a five-acre piece of property in North Fort Myers with a property lease of one dollar a year. The beginning purpose was for the training of Haitians in hydroponic sea water gardening and referred to as Seaponics. Following, additional doors opened, and Dick and the new ECHO Board were led through a series of events to meet Martin and Bonnie Price. Through their passion, dedication and talents, the Lord has guided this organization to the level of excellence we recognize today as ‘Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization.’

"It is especially gratifying and a blessing to look back on the History of ECHO and see how God has brought together and used the many talents of those who contribute with giving hearts. Board directors, interns, employees, volunteers and donors, all have blended their talents and financial gifts into a cohesive union that touches lives around the World. GOD IS SO GOOD."  (taken from the ECHO website)

 

We all love Heifer International which is working on hunger issues around animals. Incidentally Heifer International was also a vision from an Indiana born and raised  man,Dan West from the Goshen area.   He was not a Methodist but rather a member of the Church of the Brethren and attended Manchester College.    

Well, ECHO is this the plant version of Heifer International.   Please check the information about ECHO that is on the church's website. Thanks for your donation to another wonderful ministry that seeks ways to feed all the people of the world.