Ethiopian Coffee and Fair Trade

I just saw the documentary called "Black Gold", which is about how the coffee industry has negatively affected the Ethiopian Coffee farmers. I suggest looking on their website, www.blackgoldmovie.com , and see if when it is playing in your area. There is also a trailer on the website you can watch. Basically, the coffee industry has become second only to oil in the global market. With this boost, many companies have profited included Starbucks, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, and two others. But the farmers are only getting paid about 1 Birr in Ethiopian currency, which is about 8 cents per kilo. They simply can't live on their income. Their co-operative leader is trying to talk buyers into giving them 10 Birr (50 cents), but the farmers say even 5 Birr would radically change their life. They are being forced to grow "chat" alongside their coffee. Chat is a narcotic that is widely used in East Africa and sells for about 35-50 Birr. They do this "not because they want to, but to avoid death." You need to watch this documentary.

On another note:
I also went to the Airforce academy for church this morning. It is a beautiful campus and it was snowing. The worship was good, but too bad the chaplain barely cracked open the bible during the sermon. The world needs good preachers.

Oh and I went rappelling yesterday for the first time. It was a lot of fun, but scary. You have to conquer your fears and really put your faith in the ropes. The experience is very analagous to missions and ministry in general. I'll put up some pictures when I get them.