What Does Gardening Have to do with Bible Workers?
*Representative image
The crops in the community garden are flourishing! All by God's grace.
Our Bible Workers serving in the Southern Philippines work with the SULADS, an organization that reaches out to unreached indigenous peoples through education and other activities.
The area of the Philippines from which today’s story comes is primarily Muslim. For many years, the area was devastated by war, leaving the local people, from children to adults, with little education. The SULADs, including some of our JFA Bible Workers, have been ministering to the people by teaching young students and adults.
As they served, they noticed that the villagers in their area had difficulty getting adequate nutrition. The people mainly survived from fishing profits, but it wasn’t always enough. They decided to start a community garden project to teach their students and other villagers how to sustainably grow their own food.
Together with the villagers, they have reclaimed topsoil from a road construction project, made their own fertilizer and recycled old bottles to be used as pots.
This month, our Bible Worker, Lela,* shared how this gardening project has helped open doors for a spiritual conversation with one of her students.
The project leader shows off the container garden
One day during gardening time, I learned about the seeds of hope growing in a young boy's heart. One of my students said something that left me amazed. While preparing the soil for transplanting snow cabbage, Elijah* casually said, "Ma'am, I want to be a Sulad."
Surprised, I replied, "Why not? It's not impossible—you can! Just keep attending school, and when you finish, visit Sulads." What he said next shocked me even more: "But, ma'am, I might not make it anymore."
I asked him why, and he quietly answered, "The Day of Judgment is coming; Jesus will return."
At that moment, a friend overheard our conversation and laughed, saying, "He's always worried, ma'am, saying that the Day of Judgment is near."
I turned back to Elijah and asked why he thought that way. He said he often worries because he will miss his mother. He confessed that sometimes he finds it hard to sleep because he thinks about Judgment Day. He had convinced himself that he wouldn't be with his mother in heaven because she was faithful to God, and he was not.
"I've committed many sins, ma'am. I won't be able to go to heaven," he said softly.
His sincerity was evident as he shared his thoughts. He even admitted that he once brought me a young coconut, but it wasn't his. He believed he had stolen it because he hadn't asked the owner for permission. I could see how deeply he regretted his actions and how guilty he felt.
I admired Elijah's honesty and was inspired to share the grace of God with him.
"No matter how sinful we are or how big our sins are, God can forgive us," I said. "If we sincerely ask for forgiveness and truly repent, He will forgive us."
Elijah then told me he prays every day, asking God to help him be in heaven. However, during our class devotions, I had noticed he often seemed inattentive, slouching or leaning on the table. I used to scold him for it, but now I understood why.
He admitted he avoided listening to Bible stories and moral lessons because they made him feel guilty.
"I really believe those stories are true," he said, "and whenever I hear them, I feel guilty and remember my sins."
Hearing this broke my heart. I felt ashamed of my earlier frustrations with the parents who seemed uncooperative in supporting their children.
Elijah's innocence and sincerity reminded me why we must continue sharing God's truth. There are so many like him—thirsty for love, forgiveness, and the hope only God can give.
The people Lela and her fellow Bible Workers serve desire to serve the Creator God, but as Muslims, they have been taught much differently about Jesus, the Bible, and the Judgement Day. Please pray for Lela and the other Bible Workers as they share the truth of the Bible in love. Please also pray for God to work in the hearts and lives of Elijah and other villagers.
If God leads you to support the ministries of Bible Workers in the Philippines, like Lela, please click the button below. You can fully cover a Bible Worker's monthly stipend for $250, but donations of any amount are welcome.*Names have been changed.