A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR OUR FAITHFUL PATRONS      ·    ISSUE NO.2

Hope Seeds has recently become the recipient of a very generous gift. This wonderful gift is a parcel of land near Bradenton in Florida. This land gift is going to be the future office and warehouse for Hope Seeds. It will also host our future garden where we plan to teach basic gardening and seed production to missionaries and to those preparing for the mission field.

Our plans for building have just begun with a potential completion date of 2004. However, the gardening work has begun in the form of preparing the soil and in the planting of strategic crops that will benefit the soil. Beans of many types (over 300 varieties from seven species) are the most significant. Jicama, Chaya, Papaya, Banana, Moringa, Calabaza, Eggplant, Pidgeon Pea, Tropical Corn, Okra, Amaranthus, Stevia and Hot Peppers, in addition to other crop materials are being planted on the +3 acre garden site. Many of the items being planted in the garden are for seed saving and production purposes. In all, we look forward to using the resources God gives for His praise and honor. We ask for your prayers that the seed will bear much fruit!

Tex-Cuban
A New Variety of Seed

Hope Seeds is the licensed international distributor of ‘Tex-Cuban Sileage Corn’ bred and released by the University of Florida, Belle Glade (researcher, Dr. Brian Sculley). Tex-Cuban is a tropical corn bred for the making of sileage for the dairy industry in Florida and Georgia. The usefulness of this variety may extend to many other countries in the tropics as feed for small herds of cattle. It is an open-pollinated strain with heritage from Cuba and other tropical areas. We have packets of 300 kernels available for $2.00 each. If you would like more information, please call us for a copy of the release paperwork, or visit our Web site at www.hopeseeds.org.

According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus makes reference to the stringent practice of the Pharisees in demanding the tithe on the yield of three lesser herbs: rue, mint and dill. Yet, they are negligent in pursuing justice, mercy and faith. (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42–43) There are three varieties of mint (Mentha longifolia) known to grow in the Holy Land. These are the garden mint, the peppermint and the pennyroyal. This herb grows wildly in moist places, especially on the banks of streams. It grows to a larger and finer variety than the usual garden variety. Mint contains a strong aromatic oil which is used for the seasoning of food and for medicinal purposes. This herb was included in the bitter herbs and was served with the lamb of the Paschal Feast. Another practice was to use the herb as an air freshener by throwing it on the floors of the synagogues. Rue (Ruta graveolens) is mentioned only once in the Bible in Luke 11:42–43. In the Holy Land, this herb grows to a height of five feet with gray green leaves and is used in some eighty-four medicinal remedies. Rue was used as a disinfectant, scattered in the courts to protect from fever and stenches. In addition, it was used as a charm. Dill (Anethum graveolens) resembles parsley and is cultivated for its aromatic, brownish and oval shaped seed. It grows to a height of three feet and its leaves are of a clear green with flowers of bright golden yellow. The oval fruits are brown in color and have a pungent taste. Dill is used to flavor foods and for its medicinal values. The oil of the herb is used as a wash for skin wounds and in it continues to be used as a universal medicine. In Jesus’ reference to these herbs and the practice of the Pharisees, he speaks of the use of these herbs as an outer wash for our body and for our life.

The medicinal and aromatic use of these herbs can certainly assist in keeping the outside of our temple perfumed and healthy. Places of worship can also be made to be aromatic through the use of oils and scents. Yet, Jesus leads his body of believers to realize that unless the inside is cleansed, there is no health in us. In another sense, we who follow Jesus can try to cover up the foul smelling nature of our broken lives with cologne and perfume in the way that mints may cleanse the breath. God calls us to the profound issues of our Christian walk. We are indeed summoned to love kindness, seek justice and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). Such a walk will lead us to places of brokenness and disease. Our tendency may be to distance ourselves from the foul smells of injustice and the lack of human compassion while enjoying a safe and healthy environment of our own making. Jesus Christ entered the brokenness of human existence and carried our diseases to the cross, even as he carried us to the cross that we may die with him and live with him, empowering us in a life of discipleship.   God be praised that there exists seeds that produce their yield that there may be disinfectants to protect the lives of people, medicines to bring about physical healing and relief from pain and disease.

God be praised that the use of these herbs may flavor our food and enhance our drink, that there may be aromas that are pleasant to our senses. God be praised that in Christ we may rise above the desire to be anesthetized against the injustice and the unkindness that we see and involve ourselves in the pursuit of justice and kindness. God be praised that Jesus brings to us an internal and an eternal wholeness by His grace and love for us that the seed of our faith brings forth its fruit in our lives. God be praised that in Christ we may be a sweet smelling presence in this world of injustice and unkindness.
 

Great rewards await us when we plant the seeds at our disposal.

Water the Garden
The soil cries out, "Don’t bring me your need, bring me your seed!" This thought provoking statement was recently sent to our office. It reminds us that we cannot cry out to the land blaming it for not providing our food if we have not planted anything. It also reminds us here at Hope Seeds that we are limited on how much we can plant by the monetary support we receive. We have well over 300,00 packets of seed (all packaged by our local volunteers) on the shelf ready for shipment, but we lack the funds to send them. It costs over $1.00/lb. to ship materials, and many of the partner ministries we work with don’t have the funds for shipping either. What a problem and opportunity! We ask for your prayerful support and we ask you to share this opportunity with others. Thank you so much. Remember, plant a seed, feed a soul.