Funds disbursed to project.
December 31, 2010
We thought that you might like to know that we sent 230,000 KRW to Fourth River Project today. Thank you for supporting the Calves for Scholars project.
A Matter for Urgent Prayer
South Korea is currently experiencing the most severe outbreak of
hoof-and-mouth disease in its history. This is a highly
contagious viral disease afflicting cloven hoofed animals.
(It is not dangerous to humans.) It is affecting Korean
cattle and pig farmers. The epidemic, which started in
November, has so far caused about $350 million (400 billion
won) in losses. It is easily spread on the clothes of
people and the wheels of vehicles. The Three Seas Ranch is
operating under a self-imposed quarantine to limit contact with
people from elsewhere as much as possible. Once one animal
shows symptoms of the disease all others within a 500 meter
radius must be destroyed. So far about 450,000 pigs and
cattle have been ordered destroyed.
We are working hard to make the Three Seas Ranch a
profitable cattle business that will provide a strong financial
foundation for The River of Life School in a couple years or
so. If the disease hits our ranch, we will be wiped
out. Because of our direct-to-consumer marketing method, we
command a good net profit on each head of cattle sold which would
never be fully compensated by any potential government assistance
programs. We currently have about 65 head of cattle each
one worth between $5,000 and $10,000.
Outbreaks of hoof and mouth disease have occurred in counties not
far from Taebaek City. While we are concerned for our own
heard, we are also very concerned for the other cattle outfits in
our area. This is a devastating disease for all
animal raisers. Please pray that the epidemic end quickly
and that God protect all swine and cattle raisers in our area.