We city folk now have a garden. Within
our 1/3 acre of land (that is still ridiculously huge to us) apple and peach
trees now grace the parameter while berry bushes line the back fence. We
have grape vines, beans, peppers, tomato plants, corn and cucumbers.
Today the blossoms not only embrace the trees but the fragrance fills the air
as I walk down our little path.
I’m really impressed.
We made this journey completely out of
obedience to a word from God. There were no jobs awaiting us, we bought our new
home on-line as we jetted to Uganda and back, sold our house in Vegas days
before we left and lived with friends in between. We didn’t have much support;
most of our friends thought we were nuts. But we had enough foundation to keep
us going. It was a whirlwind of craziness & only when we stop long enough
to look back do we wonder at it all. That was 7 years ago.
The first year we moved here someone
gave us a starter branch from the peach tree. Roy called one of his new friends
who taught us how to transplant it & put a PVC pipe down into the ground to
water it deep. We got so excited that we went out and bought strawberry plants,
grape vines, all kinds of vegetables, 2 apple and 2 cherry trees to go with it.
The cherry trees died the next year after a late freeze. Just like a few of our
dreams. But the apple & peach trees are blossoming and bearing a few more
fruit each year; the strawberries have taken over the side area, the grapes
& other berries are climbing new trellises and our dreams are maturing alongside
them.
Life has changed for us. Culture, life-style,
our walk with God, our ministry… It’s all brand new today. We came here wide-eyed,
not quite sure what to expect but ready for anything; a blushing bride and her
adventurous husband. Roy & I barely knew each other, weren’t certain why the
Lord had brought us to this new place, but we knew the promise spoken over us
and that was enough. Today 2 best
friends are forging a global ministry for missionaries, serving in our local
church & excitedly encouraging the God-given spiritual gifts in each other.
We’ve come a long way. We have a long way to go yet.
There are times in all our lives that
the Lord calls us. Deep calls unto Deep
and like the deer that panteth at the waterbrook we all hunger and thirst for
that clarion moment. I am encouraged by this journey to go in to new situations
with eyes wide-open. To not be afraid. To not allow the enemy to set my agenda
or fuel my insecurity and fear of whom God called me to be. I will not give my
attention or lend my authority to that which has no power & therein
undermine the purpose in my life. Bill Johnson says “Hear the word and hold to
what He says regardless of circumstances & allow the Holy Spirit to affirm your
identity as a child of God. All other temptations will be insignificant and
self destroying.”
I am a warrior. I wear the victory
like my new farmer Jones overalls as I claim new land for Christ.
