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 Farming has got to be one of the most difficult jobs – just ask any farmer, and I’m sure they could tell you it’s not always easy. When I think of farming, I envision John Deere tractors, flat open fields, cows, large farm buildings, and silos. Now, farming on flat land like Lancaster County, Pennsylvania is one thing, but try farming in the steep mountains of southern Asia! The people here basically farm cliffsides by hand, with nothing more than some hand tools, lots of muscle, and with their livelihoods depending on it. It’s quite a different view from the large open fields of Lancaster County. However, the same principle exists, as it has since the beginning: seeds must be planted, cared for and nurtured as they grow, and then the plants harvested. Waiting can sometimes be one of the hardest parts, as the seed grows underground, but no signs of it show for days above the ground.
I have often felt over the last several weeks and few months that our team is doing a lot of the planting stage – often the hardest part. It’s the phase that shows little results at the time, but is also the most important, because without that initial work of planting, there will be no harvest later. Often, it seems we aren’t doing much that makes a difference, or that shows results at the time. We teach English at several places and have been making friends in the community, helping the church plan and organize community events, and teaching kids in two schools. All of us struggle at times wondering if we are really doing anything here, and it can be difficult to keep going. But God has called all of us here, and he makes no mistakes, which is something I have taken a lot of confidence and reassurance from. As we have prayed and continued going forth, God has been showing little “sneak peeks” of what is to come.  Students in the primarily Muslim community that we teach English in on Saturdays have been able to see God’s love for them as we teach and interact with them. We must be careful, but we teach biblical character lessons without referencing the Bible, and show the love of Jesus through our actions. When another member from our church asked a young teenager in the class what he has been learning so far, the first thing out of his mouth was about learning how to love people, help people, show compassion, be humble, and be faithful. WOW! He didn’t mention anything about the English he’s learning and growing in (and excelling in), but about the character lessons we teach every class. It isn’t “quick” work, but I have been seeing those sneak peeks of what God is doing under the surface, and it’s exciting to see and know that he is indeed doing great work in peoples’ hearts.
On another occasion, at the Islamic Institute where I help teach college-age students, the dorm supervisor/leader whom we are good friends with has been asking lots of questions about the Bible, Jesus, and God. He is very open and loves to discuss things – especially religion. He has been asking questions about the forgiveness we have in Jesus, because, in his words, “We don’t have that in Islam.” Our relationships are deepening and doors are being opened up to plant seeds, and many questions are being asked. Pray for us to have strength to keep him first, and that he would continue to prepare a harvest through our service here.
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