When I arrived at the garden this morning, a group of eager gardeners awaited me. Jesus de la Cruz was already working on the threshing floor, and the community vegetable garden crew had begun filling the raised planters with soil. After last week’s rain, everyone was eager to get back to work. As you will see from the pictures, the garden was buzzing with activity–and it wasn’t just the bees!
The threshing floor in Ephraim is a work of art that will be a focal point and reminder of God’s provision, both physically and spiritually. Even now I can imagine the arbor draped with a chuppah in preparation for a wedding. Ephraim is connected to the seventh month–Tishrei–on the Hebrew calendar. Tishrei is the time of year when harvest is complete and the people experience the fullness of God’s blessings. The youngest of Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt, Ephraim received the firstborn’s blessing even though he was younger than his brother Manasseh. Jacob said of Manasseh, “He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.” Ephraim’s portion of our garden will reflect the fruitfulness and prosperity of his father, Joseph, through the plants and the threshing floor. As the Word says in Genesis 49:22, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall.”
Here is a sample of the activity today in the garden. Enjoy!
Posted by maria wennberg on May 11, 2011 at 12:36 am
Wow, what beautiful progress and workers. The threshing floor looks fabulous and the raised beds, oh my what produce they will bring forth.
Blessings on all of the workers, you are so appreciated. Maria
Posted by Janice Douglas on May 14, 2011 at 4:05 am
The workers in this true labor can only be blessed of the Lord, for sure! I love the Lord’s sense of humor with a couple of the workers named Jesus and James, representing the Lord and the apostles!
Posted by Vickie on May 11, 2011 at 12:53 am
I only can imagine how rewarding this must be for everyone. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date.
Posted by Betty Moore on May 11, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Pam: I am so amazed by how quickly every thing is going!! I am so proud of my being aligned with blessed G.O.Z. I don’t know of any ministry so in tune with God and all that He desires for His Kingdom.
Posted by Janice Douglas on May 14, 2011 at 4:08 am
Ditto! I know it is not a coincidence that Pam has the great gift she has in gardening, which she has seeded, and is continuing to seed, into the generations. I believe this garden will be a model for churches around the world, whether it’s a miniature indoor garden or an outdoor replication.
Posted by Janice Douglas on May 14, 2011 at 4:02 am
I don’t think there’s anyplace else in the world where the Lord has made provision for a garden of this nature! It is a true inspiration and work of the Lord to have an abundance of land to replicate here on U.S. soil the twelves tribes of Israel, and a Master Gardener in Pam Pierce who has understanding of the scriptures to know what should be done and can direct others in this blessed work! It gives me great joy until I laugh out loud in happiness to look at the works in progress, knowing what they mean and what they will teach! I believe the garden alone will be responsible for the salvation of some!