CONNECTED CHURCH LAMB Hospital

SOWING SUCCESS September 2015

What’s the best thing you do can with plants? Notes to leader: This question will hopefully get people talking and engaged with the topic. You could use this as an opener: ‘Today we’re going to learn about a man in Bangladesh who has started a plant nursery with a special purpose, but before we start, I’ve got a question for you: What’s the best thing you can do with plants?’

This is Albericus. He is a local church leader and a farmer. He is also a member of an Inter Church Network group, set up by LAMB. They meet together to discuss local issues, and what the church can do to help. Notes to leader: The church in Bangladesh is traditionally quite fractured, and churches don’t talk to each other. This lack of cooperation holds the whole community back. Inter Church Network groups get the leaders and members of local churches together to talk through local issues.

Albericus attended some training LAMB led about how to set up a plant nursery, specifically for plants used in herbal medicine. Poor communities in Bangladesh rely on herbal medicine. But people have lost the skills needed to care for the plants. Notes to leader: Herbal medicine has traditionally been a cheaper option, helpful for those who can’t afford to go to clinics. But if there are fewer plants to use, then treatment becomes more expensive, cutting off the lifeline from poor people.

With support from LAMB, Albericus has set up his own ‘herbal nursery’. Now he will be able to support the community with medicine, and teach others how to care for the plants. Notes to leader: Albericus started by planting neem - sometimes called Indian Lilac - and lemon trees. But now he has expanded to include many different kinds of plants. The photo shows Albericus caring for his plant nursery.

‘It is my passion to serve my neighbours, those who are sick both physically and spiritually.’ Notes to leader: Albericus also says: ‘Already some people have become well by this herb nursery. God has given me these opportunities. I would like to give thanks to the Lord for supporting me. Beside this, I would also like to give thanks to LAMB as they have helped me. Now I am planning to teach others about the usefulness of herbal plants and encourage other people to plant them in their houses.’ The top picture shows Albericus caring for his trees. The bottom picture is Neem or Indian Lilac. One use of Neem is as a toothbrush! The twigs are chewed at one end, turning the fibres into ‘bristles’. Just like a normal toothbrush! You can also find Neem toothpaste in much of South Asia. Albericus Hasda

PRAYER Pray for the success of the herb nursery Thank God for His provision to us at LAMB Pray for His wisdom and strength for our staff