A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR FAITHFUL PATRONS • ISSUE NO. 13

Orphans… Widows… and SEED?

Yes – seed. Hope Seeds has been extremely blessed to be part of God’s directives (through Holy Scripture) to care for the fatherless and the widow. In the past year we have shipped an increasing number of packages of seed to many countries where Christians have been compelled to start or help with orphanages. As we read scripture we should all feel so compelled (at least reminded) to share the responsibility of caring for their needs.

“God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.”
Dt. 11: 18

(Photo left) Village Boy in Romania
“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isiah 1: 17

The shipments vary in size and location – some small to very far away places – but all are huge toward potential for nutrition, education and economic development. Please join us in support and prayer for such shipments, that these orphans and widows may be blessed and then become a blessing themselves. All Praise belongs to God above.

We have a plan – a pro-active plan – to reach even more orphans and widows. If you would like to learn more about this plan visit hopeseeds.org. Join us in this very worthwhile effort.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1: 27

(Photo left) Village Girl in Romania

ECFA Accreditation

The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability has recently given its stamp of approval to Hope Seeds. What this tells you, our donor base, is that after reviewing our audits and financial methods ECFA considers Hope Seeds a credible Christian charity, and that our methods and system for ministry and handling of funds is trustworthy. For more information about ECFA please visit – www.ecfa.org.
 

Oh, If Plants could talk,
the stories they could tell…

Recently my Mom (Pat Mueller) wrote a letter to the editor of the Southeast Missourian in Cape Girardeau, Mo. regarding the dandelion. Most of us consider this plant a weed and nuisance to our yards…
but let me share with you my Mom’s perspective. Mike Mueller

To the editor:
When I hear friends, neighbors and “Speak Out” comments complain about the carpet of gold (dandelions) in the early spring, I think perhaps they need more cold winters so they will appreciate the indestructible dandelion.

You can go to any lengths to rid yourself of this weed, but every spring it reappears. Just when we are looking for visible signs of spring, patches of gold appear everywhere.

Many people, Christian and non-Christian alike, become complacent. And then, all of a sudden, resurrection. It’s everywhere. He is here. He is there. He is risen. He is alive, breaking into sleeping hearts. And, like the dandelion when it matures into a fluffy ball, our hearts come to life, and we spread the Good News. He is always ready to break through into closed hearts.

So tell someone that Easter is a happening event. Better yet, plant dandelions.

Pat Mueller,
Cape Girardeau, MO

What a marvelous way of looking at a plant which we sometimes regard as a nuisance. Also, to share a reminder – the dandelion was imported into this country with our forefathers as an important part of nutritional and medicinal family gardens. Yes, that is correct – for centuries the dandelion has been used as a cooking green in early spring(a bitter herb),and the flower buds, leaves and roots used for medicine (sore thoughts). So you can see that what we sometimes curse is really a blessing from God – and even a reminder of His greatest blessing to us – Our salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Photo left) Dandelion
(Taraxacum Officinale)

Dear Mike,
I have just arrived from Jeremie and can’t wait to tell you how things are going down there. It was a cloudy day when the 9 passengers’ plane took off, destination Jeremie. I was scared each time we got through a mass of cloud. Praise God, we landed safely at an amazing green area of Haiti. I would describe it as a spot not yet touched by the severe deforestation. The town is a little smaller than Cap-Haitian, moreover, the houses look alike.
A good fellow gave me a ride to Pastor Isaac’s house, who welcomed me as his guest. He explained to me how he met you three years ago at TITANYEN, where you gave a seminar. The joy he expressed told me how he appreciated your seed donation toward his community. He was sorry for not being able to give you feedback of the results. They were positive, he frankly told me.
The next day, he gathered four pastors and fourteen lay-preachers, representing different areas. Then, we shared the vision of the new Haiti by training Christian and non-Christian families to take their responsibilities. At the end of that meeting seeds, garden tools and books were distributed. I set a rendezvous to go back to Jeremie in August to visit their vegetable gardens.

Your brother in Christ,
Enoch FIRMIN

To : “Mike Jean Mueller
Hope Seeds, Inc.

From : Past. Jean Isaac Jacques

Object : Gratitude

Dear Brother,

May the peace from Heaven be with you! I don’t know how to thank you for sending Enoch to start the program in our place as you promised it the last time you came to Haiti. We were anxious about it. The program is welcome here and you won’t be disappointed of the results. We wish you don’t give up on us, and that Hope seeds keep providing garden tools which are useful. We are thankful for the big step you have already made. We dream that Jeremie will become the vegetable center of Haiti.

Much thanks, and may God bless you.
Pastor Isaac Jacques

Missouri - Teaching Gardens are an integral part of the work of Hope Seeds. And now we have a new garden located in Bertrand, Mo. This garden, like our Florida and Haiti gardens, is dedicated to sharing the great potential for people to produce food from seed. Planting new varieties or species, practicing new/old techniques, and teaching the saving of seed are three important components of our gardens. Through these gardens we have the potential to learn and teach many people who will impact millions of lives.
The Community Garden in Haiti pictured below was noted by Enoch Firmin as “The best garden I have ever been to.”
Support - In the past several months we have received several generous donations dedicated to helping us establish a teaching garden somewhere in the world. We are very grateful for such gifts, for through such gardens we can reach out even more effectively to the workers who manage orphanages, women who garden for their family, and men who farm for modest income.

We have three such gardens in operation or development in Haiti. We are planning for opening gardens later this year in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Ghana or Sierra Leone.


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