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There was once a young man who grew up in a small farming community. His father was of the third generation to plow, plant and harvest the family farm. He milked 40 head of cows, raised pigs and sheep, and tended 150 acres of land with the help of his four sons.

The young man loved the land. He spent his childhood wandering its hills and valleys, swimming and fishing in its creeks, picking its wild nuts, berries and fruits, and learning from his father all of the techniques of farming that had been passed down and learned and improved upon by three generations. And, when he was old enough, Josh Watson decided to go away to college to study agriculture and learn even more ways to improve the family farm.

Josh's father was proud that his son would follow in his footsteps, and those of his grandfather and great-grandfather. His greatest desire in life was to have their family farm continue to be passed down from generation to generation. He went on farming with his three younger sons until the eldest, newly graduated from the University, came home at last to rejoin them.

It was only a matter of weeks after the young man's return, however, before trouble began to errupt. Josh began to share his newly acquired knowledge and ideas and bombard his father and brothers with plans on how to accomplish the farmwork more efficiently, more productively, and more safely. Not only did he openly criticize some of his father's methods, but began to lecture neighbors and friends as well. Contour plowing, eliminating the use of DDT, stopping run-off of manure and pesticides into creeks and rivers: each thing he suggested opened a new wound. A mid-morning coffee break at the cafe in town, or a conversation over the corn grinder at the feedmill, often resulted in harsh words and bruised egos.

"Who does he think he is, anyway?" the neighbors asked.

"Yeah, old Ben Watson would turn over in his grave if he could hear the things that young'un wants to do to 'his' farm."

"The kid's still wet behind the ears. Let him try his new ideas and fall on his face. That'll teach him there's a difference between real farming and book learning."

And when his own father admitted that the young man's ideas were too radical for him, as well, Josh Watson became quite depressed and withdrawn. He began to consider his options, and within four months he left home to join the Peace Corps.

The young man traveled to strange, distant lands, where food, water and hope were scarce. He learned right away that attitudes everywhere were similar to those of his family, friends and neighbors. But the young man had regained faith in his own ideas. He believed that God had led him to those who needed his knowledge the most. Within four years his careful planning and implementation ended the famine. New sources of fresh water were located and wells dug. Irrigation systems were devised and put to use. New farm animals were introduced for food and to provide eggs, milk and cheese. Josh applied all of his training, and the farms began to sustain the people.

The folks at home continued to farm in their own familiar, comfortable ways. They read newspaper accounts of the young man's success, and his letters, and were thankful that he had found a place that "needed" his kind of learning, for they still believed that they did not. But the people whose lives were changed by Josh Watson's work praised him for his knowledge and skill. They admitted that they owed him their very lives, and thanked God for his presence among them.