Tickling tummies, Growing leaders...

Every time I walk into our humble little space, it amazes me to see how quickly things are growing, expanding and sprouting. The kids have noticed as well and are always excited to run over to the garden to take note of any new progress with the strawberries or apple tree. 

They're also constantly looking to expand the garden, even though the space doesn't allow us to expand much. After the unveiling of the garden, we found that we were left with a few flats of Marigolds, tomatoes and strawberry plants. I had purposely left these un-planted until I figured out where, exactly, to place them. 

A couple of weeks after our unveiling event, I decided that the Marigolds would do well in the planters that held our small palms, and so one afternoon I set out to plant a few of them. I did so while the kids were out playing, but didn't ask them for their assistance since I knew they valued their play time. 

Well, as it turns out, I didn't have to ask them for their assistance as they all came rushing to me begging to plant a marigold. I let them know that some would need to be the people to plant while others would need to be the people to water. Like a tiny little green army, they assigned out their roles and were ready to work. I thought it was going to be nearly impossible to show the group how to plant the marigolds because they were already so excited and ready to go. Three of the older students who had been a part of the Saturday garden building chimed up exclaiming "I can show them!" and each grabbed a couple of the younger students, took them to a planter and showed them how to dig the hole, carefully take out the marigold and "tickle the tummy." Tickling the tummy is a technique that a volunteer had showed them during the Saturday event so that students understood how to loosen the plant's roots without tearing them. 

In a matter of minutes, the flats of marigolds were planted and watered. 

About a week after this, a couple of girls were in between the garden beds picking up some trash that had flown into it. They both ran into my office yelling simultaneously, 

"CanWeWaterTheGardenTheDirtIsDryWeKnowHowToDoIt!!!!!!"

I agreed and went out to fill the water cans with water, lined them up and let the girls take them to the garden beds. 

When they noticed that we still had some tomato and strawberry pots left to plant, they became ecstatic and asked if they could plant them.  I was still wary of planting them because I hadn't figured out where to place them. Their spiritedness caught the attention of a couple more girls and soon I was surrounded by a group of girls shouting "please!please!please!" in unison. I gave in and had them grab some shovels while I marked the spots I thought would be best for each plant. 

As I was marking some spots, I heard one of the 4th grade girls tell one of the 1st grade girls "this is how you tickle the tummy, you have to do it soft. Let me show you and then you can do it." 

At that point I knew I had to step back and let them take the lead on demonstrating the basics of planting. They reminded each other to be careful of stepping on other plants, not to be scared if they find an earthworm because they help the plants, to dig the hole just deep enough, but not too deep and to pat down and then water each plant right after it was planted.

By the time they were done, it was time for them to go home. They all ran to grab their things and pile into the van that takes them to their homes. I stayed behind picking up the dirtied shovels and watering cans and waved back as they each hollered "Thanks Lucia!" as if I had allowed them some time in a magical playground. I felt humbled. 

Reflecting on it now, maybe these simple little beds are a magical place that is growing young leaders among the tomatoes and strawberries. 

Watering the chives

Tickling the tummy...

We are prophets of a future not our own.

One day I awoke with a seed of a vision implanted into my head of an array of colorful flowers in small patches under the large tree where the children often liked to play. It was covered with dirt and weeds but they turned it into their own little playground with scraps of toys and ropes. They didn't let the dusty chain-link fence or ravenous rings of barbed wire above them interrupt their imagination. I took this vision to a small group of our program supporters called the Emerging Leader Board, and with their incredible talents and dedication, they were able to help us make this seed grow. 

Our garden is slowly growing, and the children enjoy it everyday. 

A que gozar lo que cosechamos.... Gozechado. 

These are some photos of the beginnings of the cosecha (cultivation), and I thought it would be appropriate that it be accompanied by The Prayer of Oscar Romero, who's dedication to the betterment and growth of the people of El Salvador inspire all of us here. 

The Prayer of Oscar Romero
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.

The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction
Of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about,
we plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation
In realizing that. This enables us to do something,
And to do it very well. It may be incomplete,
But it is a beginning, a step along the way,
An opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
Between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.

Garden Boxes in Edible Garden area

One of the planters with marigolds and Calalilies surrounding the play area

Grass growing where once there were weeds

Our first tomatoes emerging

Cilantro

Strawberries blooming

Tomato bed.. with basil & chive friends

Apples!

Minty