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A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR FAITHFUL PATRONS · ISSUE NO.10 |
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Grandpa’s Garden and Grandma’s Kitchen… |
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My Grandpa always had a garden, in addition to the vegetable farm he owned and managed. My Grandma always seemed to be in the Kitchen making food for the day, or for later in the year. These are just two of the fond memories I have of my Grandparents, both now enjoying Heaven. During my youth my parents made sure there were many opportunities to work alongside Grandpa as he harvested great tasting food from his garden – strawberries and horseradish, tomatoes and dill, eggplant and melons, cucumbers and etc…. I was also blessed to be able to work with and watch Grandma prepare meals, made with the food from Grandpa’s garden. As we would work together I was told of how it “used to be”. When they were young food was not always so affordable or even accessible. People would eat and enjoy what was in season. Families would eat meals together, and they would also work together to harvest, prepare and set food aside for the winter. Pickling and preserving food in mason jars and then placing into the pantry or cellar, plus stacking away winter squash, potatoes and fall apples into the cold-box were part of the annual routine. Each day had its own chores for the nutritional needs of the family. As my grandparents grew older they still maintained this habit of putting food up and gardening, even though they no longer really needed to. |
 pMike Mueller, age 3 working with Grandpa Mueller, 1956 |
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How many of us can recall the time in this United States when gardens were a necessity for feeding our families? Perhaps you are one of the few who can recall that day. The majority of us are not required to garden for our daily food, or even a small portion of our nutritional needs. But, we all know the joy of eating a tasty tomato, a fresh salad, or a slice of refreshing watermelon, whether home grown or from one of our many well supplied grocery stores – every day of the year. |
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Yet, most hungry and poor of the world have no access to grocery stores such as ours. Nor do they have stores where good garden seeds can be purchased. The family garden may be the only place to find fresh produce, much in the same way my Grandpa planted his garden. The family cook pot may be the only source for a daily meal providing nutrition to make it another day, much the same way my Grandma cared for her family. It was just three generations ago that many of the people in our USA planted gardens to provide much for the nutritional needs of the household. Some gardeners would save some of their own seed for the next year. Many of the World’s hungry do not have even a seed to plant, a garden to plant it in, nor even a Grandpa or Grandma to help them learn. These sad facts motivate us at Hope Seeds to work even more diligently to provide seeds, teach God-pleasing gardening, and to promote family care for one another – all while sharing the love of Christ. One simple sentence clearly states what Hope Seeds does...
Providing Quality Garden Seeds to a Hungry World!
Mike Mueller, Executive Director |
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$PECIAL OFFERING$ from Christian Schools make a BIG difference. Many thanks to the thousands of children who contributed to the work of Hope Seeds this past year. Children from: Texas – Michigan – Illinois – New York – Wisconsin – Minnesota – Kentucky – Missouri – North Carolina – Virginia – Indiana – Iowa – Kansas – Nebraska – Mississippi—Florida... you get the idea! These gifts are indeed put to work as we send seeds and teaching materials to orphanages and school programs in poor, hungry nations. Thanks! We invite you to continue in this support, and if your school has not yet been a partner with the work of Hope Seeds we would welcome you also. To each school who participates we send posters for the classroom (s), pamphlets for every child, and copies of our newsletter for the school to share with their families. The work of Hope Seeds can involve you too. Visit our School Involvement page on our website for more details. |
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Board of Governors – Committed to Hope Seeds Operations Six months ago a new non-regulative board was started within Hope Seeds – The Board of Governors. This board’s purpose is simply to insure financial support for the operations expense of Hope Seeds, and to prayerfully advise, encourage, and visit the Hope Seeds staff and facility. The majority of those who have chosen to join this board are regional members of our donor base- both individual and congregations. Each of these persons or congregations has pledged $1,000.00 or more for this year. Hope Seeds sends to board members supplemental mailings sharing highlights and current activities of this ministry. Hope Seeds needs additional board members who will also choose to support this ministry in the same way. Are you or your church interested? If so, please contact us for more information. Your help will go a long way as we send more of God’s seeds out to a hungry world. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. |
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Oh, if Plants could talk, the stories they could tell.
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(Jesus said) I can guarantee this truth: “A single grain of wheat doesn’t
produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it dies,
it will produce a lot of grain.”
(GOD’S
WORD) |
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Wheat is the most important crop grown for food in the entire world. Rice and Corn follow a second and third, flip-flopping from year to year depending upon planted acreage and harvests. Each year, wheat is harvested to the benefit of all mankind. And, it has been so since the days of Joseph in Egypt. Wheat has it’s historical origin in the Middle East and has been carried to all corners of the world. Joseph properly interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream regarding the seven fat “heads of grain” on one stalk, and then the seven thin “heads of grain” blasted with the east wind. (Genesis 41) Because of Joseph’s interpretation the Pharaoh gave him the job of governor over all of Egypt, with authority to store up food for the lean years foretold to come. This ancient and epic story is a lesson to countries and people of the world yet today. God will provide the means to feed his people, the people need to manage what God provides. And, lest we forget – Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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The Egyptians had done a great job of storing up food under Joseph’s management. Neighboring nations and people were suffering the same drought that was in Egypt, but Egypt had food. People of the world, Joseph’s family included, were coming to Egypt to be fed. We in the USA also see people come to our land looking for food, and other forms of aid. We have been given much, and much to be responsible for. The food production system in our country is one of the most bountiful the world has ever seen. God provided for Egypt – and God provides for the USA. We need to manage what God provides. And remember – Love your neighbor as yourself. Wheat is mentioned over 50 times in 25 books of the Bible. Many of these references pertain to parables or teaching truths. This cereal grain is a free gift of the Creator as food for people everywhere. Perhaps the most compelling truth is what Jesus tells us in John 12:24: “I can guarantee this truth: ‘A single grain of wheat doesn’t produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it dies, it will produce a lot of grain.” (God’s Word) What a beautiful picture of the sacrificial gift Jesus gave with his life. He freely gave his life, placed it in the ground to die, so that we might have eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As
we travel across this wide and beautiful nation this summer, seeing the
wheat harvest in so many states, may we all give praise and honor to God
for the great things He does for us - food for our bodies and salvation for
our souls.
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Honduras Seed Seminar As this edition of the Sower’s Hands is being prepared and printed plans are under way for Hope Seeds to participate in a most wonderful way in Honduras. Living Waters, a ministry to the Misquito Coast of eastern Honduras, under the direction of Paul and Joyce Benham of Bradenton, Florida, is hosting a three day event in Cauquira Honduras on August 4,5, & 6. Hope Seeds is thrilled to be part of the activities again. |
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Evangelism and sharing the love of Christ are at the core of each activity planned. Hope Seeds is sending one of our Board members, Dr. David Unander, who is a professor at Eastern University (Philadelphia, PA) to present some principles of gardening, saving seed, and proper care for the land. Dr. Unander has made several trips to Central America over the years, speaks Spanish, and is well versed in the arts of composting and genetic preservation. He will do some teaching at a garden cite, and distribute seeds which have been selected for this part of the world. We ask you to pray for the success of this outreach event – knowing that the power of God’s Seeds will bring praise and glory to His Name. |
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Uganda – Xavier House Kampala, Uganda |
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We recently received a thank-you letter from Friar Eugene F. Hattie, who runs a street kid orphanage in Uganda. This 81 year old dedicated worker has been teaching gardening to the children in his care, and in the process helps them gain daily food and something they can use for a lifetime – gardening knowledge. We share some excerpts from his letter: |
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Dear Friends in Christ: May the good Lord love, keep and bless you to the Nth generation! You really made my day, for your wonderful & most-appreciated box of vegetable seeds, sent through my niece Karen Dunn. It will make my little ‘street kids’ whoop with joy. Two years ago I introduced them to gardening and they love it. When I was in Bradenton Karen’s sister had given us a supply of seeds (*supplied by Hope Seeds) and that helped to supplement their diet. Since Uganda is one of the poorest countries in the world, most people have just 1 meal a day, usually the same thing everyday of the year. It consists of a dish called ‘Posho’ which is made from millet, quite tasteless and in the form of a solic Cream of Wheat, and perhaps a few black beans added. So, the kids had a variety of vegetables to add to their diet, and even a few left over to sell. … Keep smiling and spreading God’s love, peace and joy all over the world. Tons of love and gratitude, Fr. Eugene F. Hattie, S.J. |
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Haiti
needs
seed
-
Now
as much
as ever… Our Missionary friends in Haiti report to us of continuing hardship and lack of food. The revolution is over, and Aristede is gone, but the economic debacle which is Haiti continues. Food prices continue to escalate, and the countries currency, though stronger than before, is showing the strains of inflated product values. Now as much or more than ever the people need to grow food for themselves and their neighbors. |
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Enoch Firmen, a Haitian Agriculturalist born and raised in Cap Haitien, Haiti, is now representing Hope Seeds. Enoch travels many regions of Haiti to distribute seeds and to train people how to produce more food from gardens. Enoch is working with several ministries, and for the next year primarily with the Lutheran Church of Haiti. This partnership will establish a teaching / demonstration garden near Gonaives, as well as expand the level of seed distribution in that area. He will make presentations to schools and churches, as well as local farmers, teaching more about the God pleasing ways we can grow food for our families and community. Haiti needs to be reminded (and taught anew) that God made seed for mankind to feed itself. Enoch has the education and skills necessary to share these valuable lessons. During the months of August and September we will be shipping over 500,000 packets of seed to several regions of Haiti. Over the past five years we have been fortunate to meet many ministries who desire to share the seeds and information Hope Seeds is able to provide. As you have supported us in the past, you can share in the joy of knowing that your dollars have gone to a just and good purpose. We boldly ask for your support again as we send ample seed packets to a hungry nation in need of God’s plan for hunger. Providing Quality Garden Seeds to a Hungry World! |
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Where does our food come from?
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