The Harvest: Camellia Jiles

As many of you may know (and have seen), a lot of things are happening in the Wesley Foundation's backyard. Perhaps the most noticeable change is that the trees are gone, second maybe to the large barn that is currently being built. Our deck is much smaller. Most of the grass is gone. And among the less conspicuous changes: there are three long concrete forms filled with cracked dirt waiting to be stacked with bricks and turned into vegetable gardens. 

In our earliest planning stages for our Home-Base Mission, our staff discussed what things we could add to or change about our ministry space to help beautify it and make it more welcoming to the people who come through our doors. I knew immediately that I wanted to build a garden in our backyard. Over the course of this past year, I've grown increasingly fond of gardening. This interest came upon me rather suddenly; I was helping a fellow intern plant flowers in her garden one afternoon when I was struck by how at peace I felt - how much I enjoyed feeling the warm dirt between my fingers and the smell of it wafting towards me as I used my little spade to dig fresh holes for her little, struggling flowers. It was such a simple task, but in that moment I felt close to God. I knew that He was in the dirt, the flowers’ roots, and every thread of color that stretched across their petals. I knew that planting those flowers was holy work. 

So even though I knew next to nothing about taking care of plants, that evening I started a very casual (and often inconsistent) gardening club for other people who shared my interest. My desire to learn motivated me. I started reading articles and perusing books about plant care. I began to pay attention to the small, unkempt garden bed in my front yard whose flowers had long since lost their blooms in the changing seasons. I started to notice the vibrancy of well-watered leaves and the way flowers stretch their necks toward the sunlight. I experienced the pure, childish anticipation and fantastic joy of planting calendula seeds and seeing their tiny green heads poke up through the mulch. I was filled with a certain kind of wonder and glee that I could not remember feeling since I was a little girl. I knew that this was the joy of the Lord, a gift that He offers us through His creation. As a particularly cold winter storm approached, I found an old Wesley banner and covered these seedlings to protect them from the frost, regretting that I had planted them so soon and praying desperately as several inches of snow fell that their lives wouldn’t be snuffed out so soon. Days later, I peeled the banner back to discover that they had not only survived, but grown even bigger. I knew that this was God's love poured out like rain. 

Galatians 6:9 says: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The day before we began our Home-Base Mission, Ryan called the other interns and me to pray without ceasing for the harvest that we’re hopeful will come as a result of our good work. Christian faith calls us to look to the future, trusting that God will bring our plans to fruition. Just as it's necessary for us to anticipate the day that Jesus will return to earth and we'll be taken up to be with the host of heaven, that same mentality has been needed to motivate us in our backyard work this summer. Although right now there is very little grass in sight, we're expectant that soon the dirt we see will be covered with a lush, green carpet. The deck is covered in various piles of wood and debris, but soon it'll be a place for old and new students to gather when they want fresh air. Our barn will probably be the coolest hangout spot this ministry has ever seen. When the first seeds in our garden sprout, we'll get to experience that great, swooping feeling of childlike, sacred joy, looking forward to the day that they'll grow into fruits and vegetables that we'll serve at Laid Back Lunch, literally eating the fruits of our labor. I ask that you would please join us in prayer for this great harvest. If I've been reminded of anything this summer, it's the power of prayer. We serve a God Who wants to see us prosper, to give us “hope and a future.” * Just like He poured out His joy, love, and protection on me and my tiny plants, He has done and will continue to do so for the Wesley Foundation.

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

who walks in his ways!

You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. (Psalm 128:1-2)

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

and establish the work of our hands upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalm 90:17)

Scripture reference: *Jeremiah 29:11

Camellia is a 2020 graduate of Louisiana Tech with a degree in Studio Art and is currently serving as a ministry intern at the Wesley Foundation. She is a joy to be around and a great blessing to the Wesley community. Camellia loves art, thrift shopping, laughing loudly, learning new gardening skills, and spending quality time with others.