After spending two years in Ethiopia as a member of the Peace Corp, potato farmer and crop scientist Dr. Charlie Higgins had a vision and passion for the people of Ethiopia. Dr. Charlie, as he’s called by the Ethiopians, knew something needed be done to help the agrarian nation – a nation in which 85% of its people are farmers. So for the last eight years, Dr. Charlie has been traveling to the third world county to help them grow better potatoes.
The same seed potato was being grown year after year – producing small and disease ridden potatoes.
The first thing Dr. Charlie did was to partner with Ethiopian scientists to get a potato tissue culture lab running in the northern, mountainous region. This lab now produces huge numbers of plantlets of the new disease resistant varieties for Ethiopian farmers. With disease free seed, these improved potato varieties produce a much greater yield. The project continues to grow and expand each year under Dr. Charlie’s support and input.
Being a farmer isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s much bigger than that. Dr. Charlie Higgins truly epitomizes what it means to be passionate about something. He sacrifices his time, money and resources to improve the lives of people halfway around the world. Dr. Charlie’s work has inspired potato farmers around the county, who in return help support his passion and vision for Ethiopia.
What are you passionate about? If you look at your time and money, the answer should be very clear to you.
Matthew 6:21 ~ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Matthew 22:37 ~ Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
“Dear Lord and Heavenly Father, help us to be passionate people. Passionate about others, passionate about just and worthy causes, passionate about right and wrong, but more importantly, help us become more and more passionate about you each and every day. It’s in Jesus name I pray, Amen.”