With the Philippines predicted to be one of the countries most adversely affected by climate change, there is an urgent need for farming to become more climate resilient and sustainable.

Because syntropic farming also addresses other problems, such as a lack of workers and poor soil, adopting the practice will greatly benefit local farmers.

We are also demonstrating it to the local department of agriculture office in the hope that such practices will be adopted more widely and have even greater impact.

The Philippines has a young population: 35 per cent of people are under 18 and the median age is 25. So within creation care, our focus is children and youth, running day camps for local school children where they learn to stop, enjoy and appreciate nature. We believe creating interest and enjoyment of creation in children can give them a lifelong interest and maybe more in caring for the natural world.

We don’t introduce ourselves as mission partners but as farmers who want to live out the gospel in the day-to-day life of the local community and let this form the basis of holistic ministry. We started a midweek Bible study group to deepen and encourage faith based on the Bible. Slowly, we have begun to hear encouraging stories of God working in the lives of those in the group.

We have another group for youths who we have got to know through past children’s activities on the farm. This group focuses on friendship, fellowship and living out Christian values. The young people are now starting to take turns in leading short Bible studies.