YF Garden
Friday, August 07, 2009
It's that time of year again, and the Jeffersonville youth, along with many of the elders, have been busy working in the YF garden on the VGR grounds. Here is a report we received on the progress of their labor.
We are back at gardening again this year! We have planted cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, strawberries, blackberries, herbs, jalapeños and bell-peppers.
Last year the garden was worked by two groups of young believers. Those under 16 were given a family plot in the Cub Corner area, and those from 16-25 worked in the main garden.
This year the brothers and sisters over 40 were offered a chance to be involved in the garden, and there was an overwhelming response. Because individual plots were given to each believer, they had great freedom in choosing the plant varieties and layout of their area. Walking through the garden, one can see many beautiful different gardening styles and designs.
The area given to the youth group is flourishing. Last year we tested a variety of gardening techniques, and the knowledge we gained has proven invaluable. We have been able to make better plant choices, use better organic pest control tactics, and use our time more efficiently. We have been blessed with a bountiful harvest of green beans, peppers, and many other vegetables. Even with smaller quantities of plants, we often have more than we can sell.
However, the garden isn't just about work, produce, and fund-raising; the garden provides a place where we can fellowship, sing, and find strength in the testimonies of others. As Christians, we often see the hand of God touch our lives and others. Sharing the many miracles that God performs is often just what others need to be encouraged. Each time that we see a life touched, a heart changed, or a spirit refilled, our hearts rejoice.
When we meet to work in the YF Garden, one of the first things we like to do is gather together for prayer - to ask our Lord Jesus to bring us closer to Him, to bless our fellowship, and to bless the garden. Organic gardening is always a challenge and often requires much work, but we have found that prayer always prevails against whatever problems we face. Standing back and viewing the fruits of our labor after a hard day of work is very rewarding.
As the sun lowers, glorious in its brilliant hues, we are reminded of the One who created it. The garden gives us a continuous opportunity to witness God in his creation, in His people, and even in His healing.
I was praising my God, Who I could see in His universe, hear Him in His animals, seeing Him in His sunset, watch Him in His rainbow. I thought, "Everything here is God."
He's closer than your right arm. You just fail to see Him. How can a flower grow without God? All the science in the world cannot make one blade of that fern. They can make something look like it, but they can't make that because it's got life in it. God is the only Life there is.
Who could look in the face of a--a lily and say there's no God and still claim to be sane. He could not have his right mind. With all of our science, we could never build a lily. Make me a tree, somebody. You can't do it. Make me a blade of grass. You can't do it. That's God, God in His flowers, God in His sun, God in His universe, God in His animals, God in His creation. There's something about it. 61-0521
