eating, drinking, walking, talking

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Dave Day, the founder of Grower's First. Dave owned his own coffee roasting business for ten years and became acquainted with some of the farmers growing coffee beans in the remote villages in Oaxaca Mexico . It came to his attention that most farmers were struggling to earn less than $1 per day on coffee that was being consumed by a large affluent population. The average farmer was earning less than five cents of a $3 Mocha Latte. Due to financial struggles, many of these farmers were leaving behind the farmlands of their grandfathers in order to seek work in the cities or further north in the US - resulting in a breakdown of both the individual farmer and his family.

Dave sold his business and personally financed a program to better equip these farmers with better agricultural methods, means to buffer themselves in spite of unforeseen natural complications, and build a brand and demand around high quality organic coffee. These programs are now being rolled out in Africa, Honduras, and Indonesia and Grower's First associated farmers now supply the coffee to everyone from the Saddleback church to companies like Ugly Mug.

However, Grower's First is focused on much more than coffee and raising wages. It is seeking to share the message of Christ and equip local leadership to build Christ-centered communities, working alongside other missions organizations such as Wycliffe in evangelism and church planting. Dave reminded me that Christ did not head to Rome and plan a large evangelistic event at the coliseum. Instead, he took twelve people and changed the world through eating, drinking, walking and talking. Dave and the Grower's First team are doing the same.

His time with me was meaningful on a number of different levels. For one, it was a good reminder of the importance of being intentional. Intentional in what I buy- cognizant of how my decisions affect those who supply me with my daily grande drip, no room for cream. Intentional in my relationships - eating, drinking, walking, and talking.

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Note: Dave's 10 year old son Cody was diagnosed with brain cancer 30 days after he sold his business in order to focus on ministry on a full time basis. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Your prayer would be well worth the time.