what I didn't plant

My recent situation calls to mind Scriptures about God bringing His people into the land He promised them. He said they would eat fruit from trees they didn't plant, harvest things others sowed, and drink wine from vines they have not cultivated. This was a blessing from the Lord. 

As surely as I am called during this season to cultivate, God has also shown favor in giving things whose roots and origins precede me. The analogy stands for natural and spiritual alike. 

I am mostly reminded when I reap the ripe papayas from the trees lining the boundary with our neighbor. We have permission to harvest the fruit that ripens on our side of the tree. Papayas recently became one of my favorite fruits- so this is a special (and seemingly personalized)  joy to me.  In addition, a long established lilikoi (passion fruit) vine is laden with soon-to-ripen fruits on the backyard fence. We are enjoying fruit we did not plant, eating what others sowed- and this is a refreshment and restful gift from the Lord. 

I am reminded that while we cultivate, it is God that makes growth. Fruit and rest are gifts of God and not our works. We are both called to cultivation and called to rest and blessing.

cultivating life

Still no wifi at my new place, so the posts remain rare. Sorry. But here i am! Better some posts than no posts:)

As I have mentioned, there is much about this settled(ish) season back home in Maui that has been on my heart. Defined by such words as cultivate and steward, I have been encouraged by the Lord to engage this season with a patient and faithful heart. 

As a tangible expression and demonstration of my affirmation of that vision of this year, I have been planting and cultivating a little garden of herbs. Its my way of agreeing. A way of tangibly saying that I am committed to being here; intentionally applying myself to steward the opportunities and resources I have been entrusted with. I am encouraging and cultivating life, fruitfulness and goodness. 

I am cultivating life... and the yard.

So its begun: a glowing season of cultivating life, faithfulness, relationships, righteousness, commitment, encouragement... and cilantro:)

 the bench garden- my center of operations 

 The cilantro that i almost gave up on

 the basil that sprouted in mere five days

Still waiting on signs of life from the parsley (far right)... its my latest addition to the garden:) Seems slow coming- but the cilantro taught me not to give up. 

regrouping and preparing for impact

This is an interesting season here at the base. For the last 6+ years, the base has been primarily operating from a property in Haiku- while the program I am with remained in Paia town. While Paia is my home of 15 years, and the base formerly operated entirely from here, most of our current staff have never lived in Paia. They only know the close quarters of the Haiku house. But that all changed this past week. A decision from our leadership team was finalized and set in motion to run our Spring semester almost entirely from the Paia houses! Since the coming DTS school is rather small and we don't have a large staff at the moment either, its possible to fit everyone into the properties we carry down here in Paia. Its a great chance to give the staff some space in their living situations, some room to breathe, and a general change of pace. So far, base dynamics seem to be thriving- despite the logistical upheaval and challenges of getting in a totally new swing right before students begin to arrive!

The other night we had a new staff welcome barbecue in the yard of my house- it was great just to regroup as a staff. I love seeing everyone gathered and caring for one another in a casual and relaxed setting. So healthy and fun. I am loving this season for the base- a great answer to prayer. 

So everyone is finding their feet pretty well- and no time to spare: we are preparing for impact with the Spring students arriving over the last few days and tonight being the official opening night of the Spring DTS. Its exciting to have this handful of young people coming to join us and knowing that God is going to transform their hearts and lives- and touch the nations through their service. 

Have i mentioned that I LOVE being a part of what we do here? I do. The Lord touches people in remarkable ways during their time with us and its such a joy to share in what He is doing!