Last Sunday, we worshipped at Bowin UMC. We have a special relationship with Pastors Jerron and On and the members of Bowin UMC because it was the first church we helped to plant in Thailand. It is always a homecoming whenever we visit.
After worship and the noon meal, Pastor Jerron invited us to go to the "Garden of Eden", which is the name they have given the Cooperative Chicken Farm Project that the New York VIM team helped to build last January. Everytime we come to the "Garden of Eden", we find that the members have developed the farm even further than before.
The first thing we saw were over a hundred chickens and some ducks running around the enclosed coop. What a huge increase from just two months ago. Every part of the farm is now growing some form of fruit or vegetable, and irrigation pipes and a sprinkler system make this land to be highly productive.
Pastor Jerron then took us to the "house" , which is really more like a picnic shelter with a raised floor, all made of bamboo. He then told us how the "House in the Garden of Eden" has become a holy place for him and the members of Bowin UMC.
Pastor Jerron heads out to the Garden of Eden most mornings with his baby daughter named "Manna", where he studies for sermons and Bible lessons. The Garden of Eden has become his spiritual sanctuary and a place of prayer.
Pastor Jerron then told about how many of his members work the night shift at the factories nearby. They work from 6pm to 6am. Most of them do not go directly home from work, instead they come to the Garden of Eden to work. The food that is grown here provides extra help and income for Pastors Jerron and On and the families of Bowin UMC as well as extra food for relief ministries in the area surrounding the church. After working in the Garden of Eden, the members will sleep at the house in the Garden or fellowship together. The Garden of Eden has been a place of fellowship and unity for this church. After witnessing what a spiritual blessing the Chicken Farm Cooperative has been, we think the name "Garden of Eden" is very appropriate.
We hope to do many more projects like this in other UMC churches. For only $3000,you and your church can sponsor a cooperative project that helps lift families out of poverty and also helps to make churches become self-sufficient. Please pray about this. We need people and churches to help with this.
I (Mike) also need your prayers. I have been very ill with the flu for the last 4 days and I can't seem to shake it. Thank you for your prayers.
