Landslides and Heavy Rain

The land, a source of life and livelihood, is often a silent battleground. On our farm, nestled in the hills, this battle is fought daily against the relentless forces of erosion. The past few months have been a stark reminder and wake up call of nature’s power, as the soil, our most precious resource, slips away with every heavy rainfall. The scale of the problem is undeniable.

We’re losing an estimated 6 inches of soil each year. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a visible reality. Roads are being swamped with sediment, and the roots of our coconut trees, once safely buried, are now exposed. In a matter of a decade, we fear our once-fertile hill will be barren. The situation is more than just a threat to our income; it’s a threat to our future.

Our young coconut trees, the promise of tomorrow, are particularly vulnerable. We’ve invested months in planting them, but their tender roots are no match for the forces of nature.

To combat this, we’ve embarked on a multi-pronged approach. We are building a drainage system to channel the water, and we are embracing terracing to slow down the flow. Planting vegetation has been a crucial step, but the young trees are still struggling. The most dramatic illustration of the problem comes during heavy rains. Then, our roads transform into raging creeks, torrents of brown water carrying away precious topsoil. The force of the water is immense, carving new channels, deepening and widening existing ones. The West Cliff Section, WCS, , in particular, has become a focal point of our struggles. During one especially violent storm, the saturated soil gave way, triggering a landslide. The earth, once firm, became a churning mass of mud and debris, cascading down the slope. The impact was devastating, not only taking away more of our precious land but also exposing the danger of slides and erosion, and creating a visible scar on the landscape. In the face of such challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Yet, the Bible reminds us in Genesis 1:28 that we are called to “fill the earth and subdue it.” This call is not just about exploitation; it’s about stewardship. It’s about caring for the land, recognizing its value, and working to protect it. Just as the parable of the sower teaches us about tending to the soil of our hearts, so too must we tend to the soil beneath our feet. We must continue to plant, build, and protect, trusting that even in the face of adversity, there is hope for renewal and a future harvest. The work is hard, but the promise of a fruitful land, sustained by our efforts and blessed by God Almighty, keeps us going.