For a friend, Taavi, at church, we picked tomatoes, put them in baskets & carried them into his mother’s house.
Taavi is 23 and is married to Nicoletta. They have a baby, Daamaris, who is a precious 2 month old girl –FULL of wonder. They are both actively engaged in the church. Each week three of us go with Taavi to a neighboring village to do Children’s Ministry where the gospel is a new. Even if he works for the church 16 hours per week, he only documents the hours in which he needs money for, to provide for his family– all this because he takes delight in serving God and others. He’s humble and has a true servant's heart.
Taavi became a Christian when he was 16. Having an older sister and growing up in a two-parent home, he became the first believer in his family and the only one up to this point. His family has asked many questions to him about faith but do not care to be a part of the church because of dealing with the loss of close family and friends—having many questions as to why God would “allow” this to happen to them. Taavi has been a constant encourager, supporter and servant. Seeking to show Christ’s unconditional love to them as best he can.
Knowing we could be a HUGE help to him and his family, we worked. The girls piled tomatoes in bowls and baskets.
We spent a day in the garden.
(Ladies of Team Perisseuo + Team Radiant)
We dug up and dug out fence posts & wrapped wire and twine that were the supports for the tomatoes to grow on.
We cleaned out two large sections of the garden.
A portion of the completed work
Our men worked alongside our Romanian friends in their efforts to build a room onto Taavi's sister's home.
Kyle + Jake in action!
Their humble abode & garden.
Isn’t it beautiful to know that the Lord doesn’t toss us aside like rotten tomatoes, but pursues us? And desires a relationship with us; providing us an unconditional love. Like a farmer, God cultivates the ground upon which we grow. He knows when we need a little rain to refresh us, even if we have to go through a storm to get it. God knows that we grow best in sunshine with quality soil; in His presence with people (as a church) to enrich our lives. We're each created with purpose whether at times that is something small (like part of a salad) or that all of us is to be used to plant other seeds. Even if we don't understand what that purpose is or we feel like we're surrounded by weeds, there is purpose in everything– we just have to pursue Him and soak it all in. 🙂
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(photo credit to Katie, she was having fun with my camera)
Taavi's mother came to church on Sunday.
Seems that the little things, like serving others does make a difference. 🙂 Maybe we planted seeds.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
