Garden Conversations and Church Hymns
I've had an interesting week, full of visiting and working with gardening friends. On Saturday I assisted with the annual garden tour, which is the major fundraising effort of the Master Gardeners, a group I joined in the fall of 2015. Last Tuesday, I worked in the garden for which I served as tour guide, weeding, deadheading, etc.
Earlier today I gave a 15-minute talk on cutflowers to the other Master Gardeners, at the monthly meeting. Afterward, one person, who helps plan programs for the horticulture club, asked if I would talk to their group as well--not till next year, fortunately.
All those "busy" things, however, weren't the major pleasure of the past week. I saw so many plants that I have only known by pictures and words so far, and each one delighted me. I also made new friends, heard lots of interesting stories, and reconnected with old friends. Some of the people I visited with are fervent Christians whose life is an inspiration. Others offered a perspective on world events and current issues that I loved hearing. Some of the political references echoed what I have been reading about but don't usually hear first hand--dismay at how divisive things have become. ("I really like her, but I sure don't agree with her politically.") I listened just long enough to figure out where these people "belong," but did not enter into the discussion at all.
As happens too often, people knew me, and I couldn't place them. As soon as they said their names, however, I did know them. Several of them were Hiromi's past employers or spouses of the employers: Judy, who teaches dance, and Dean and Renee, dulcimer players extraordinaire, but, of course, those were avocations for the owner of a computer business and an electronics business.
Hardy, another Master Gardener, used to deliver our newspaper. He once spent an evening in our home, looking for help in translating a Japanese "owner's manual" that came with a doll for his daughter. His childhood in Hawaii where many Japanese people live prepared him to recognize Hiromi's name as a Japanese name. Hardy's mother has moved here from Hawaii and regularly attends our Arlington church.
One person remembered me as Shirley Hinkle's friend. Shirley was like a mom to Hiromi before I knew him. This person goes to Shirley's church and remembered that we had visited there once.
I worked in the Krehbiel's garden. Alice is the main gardener. She has a horticulture degree, and knows everything by its scientific name. It's soooooo satisfying to hear these names spoken with confidence and humility. Hers is a cottage garden--which means that it is quite informal, with reseeders allowed to do their thing, as long as the more timid plants don't get elbowed aside. When I asked Alice if it gives her pleasure to see other people enjoying her garden, she said she had asked the Lord to give her an opportunity to share it with others, and she's really delighted with how this prayer was answered. She came today to hear the talk on cutflowers, even though she's not officially a Master Gardener. She's worked for Stutzmans in the past, and worked in the Dillons floral shop, and really wishes to be able to grow cutflowers to sell.
I learned that Alice has spent time as a missionary in four different countries. Those were all fairly short term commitments, while she tried to settle on a long term option. At some point she got married, and together she and her husband began to plan to go abroad. A scouting trip to Russia, however, convinced her husband that that was not a good option, and he entered the work world in Hutchinson. They're still here.
Alice's husband works for Electrex. Hearing about this company was another inspiration. The owner is a Christian with a big vision for serving his employees and for sharing his skills and finances for alleviating poverty elsewhere. Part of the company's work happens inside the local correctional facility, with inmate labor. The inmates are paid (by some convoluted, indirect system that makes it legal) and profitable for everyone. When some of those who work inside the walls are released, they had a ready-made employment opportunity with Electrex--the part of the company outside the walls. Offering employment to ex-inmates meets a huge need for these people. Finding gainful employment is often very difficult for them. Recidivism is very low for these people.
Many of his employees are single parents who have poor marketable skills. I didn't hear specifics about how he works with these people, but Alice said he really tries to help them. I know a single mother who did work for them, and it was the best job she ever had. They make wiring harnesses for motorized equipment. Excel in Hesston is one of their big customers.
The company owner has initiated the construction of a dam in Honduras, which provides electricity through hydroelectric power to the people in the surrounding area. He has plans to construct several more dams in other areas.
Hiromi once applied for a job with Electrex when the company was still fairly new. The person who got the job he applied for was Reuben, a young man whose mother is Japanese--someone Hiromi knew. Hiromi didn't resent being passed over for that particular job (I don't remember details about how it happened.). Knowing what I know now, however, I really wonder how our lives might have been different if Hiromi could have grown with that company instead of working where he did.
Today Alice told me that she put two and two together and realized that she knows Hiromi, who is "always so friendly" when she checks out through his lane at Walmart.
**************
Another lady I worked with at the garden was Karen, who owned a "sky taxi" service. What that means is that she piloted her own plane, and flew people wherever they wanted to go, if they hired her and paid the going rate. Her husband is a retired orthopedic surgeon.
Karen knew Nasser, a young Palestinian man our family learned to know years ago--soon after I was a student--through Sterling College connections. Nasser's brother is a successful Sterling businessman who sometimes utilized Karen's taxi service.
A daughter of hers is married to a Palestinian man from the West Bank in the Middle East. She had nothing but good things to say about him. He is the president of the American division of a Japanese pharmaceutical company--a company name that Hiromi recognized immediately. Their family lived in Japan for four years.
Karen was eager to set the record straight about what is transpiring between Israel and West Bank. She said, "The US gave the Israelis 3[?] billion dollars in aid, with the understanding that they would cease building settlements in the West Bank [and perhaps the Gaza Strip]. The Israelis took the money and kept right on building settlements in those areas." Karen had a chance to share with her church her son-in-law's perspective on this conflict.
************
I also toured the garden of Ed, who is a neighbor to the Krehbeils, and ended up visiting with Jim, who was in my Master Gardener class. We talked about writing. He is set to have his second book published in October--a novel. The first was Cop in the Classroom--true stories about his years of being the school resource officer for one of the local law enforcement agencies.
The artist who painted the lovely design on the concrete was Naomi Ullum, the sister of our dear friend Eunice. Eunice used to live in Partridge, but lives now in the Missouri Ozarks. We've visited her there a number of times.
Ed took my name and contact information so that he can give me some of his cactus "pups" when he divides them. He gave free instructions on how to care for them. I might even have some to share with Heidi and Tristan--the two family members I know who are besotted with cactus plants.
Ed's wife is from Guatemala. I remembered her from having toured their garden 15? years ago. She is much more comfortable with English now than she was then.
I remember Ed's garden from the earlier tour as the garden with daylilies and vines--and Green and Gold Artemisia and Jacob Kline Bergemot--can't think of its other names right now. Those plants are still there.
****************
And now for the Church Hymns Report for Sunday: (Willard M. was the song leader. Shane was in Texas, and probably John couldn't be there because of having been on duty the night before at the hospital. He's a nurse--and an amazing tenor. Willard is a bass.)
Opening Songs: (Both of these really rang, probably because they are quite familiar and they are triumphant songs.)
#261--Rise, Glorious Conqueror--Eph 4:8 (second time this year)
#266--Hark!Ten Thousand Harps and Voices--II Pet. 1:11 (first time this year!)
End of Sunday School Song
#385--Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross--Heb. 12:2 (another first timer for the year--a tune arranged by Lloyd Kauffman--who is directing a Shenandoah Music Camp group singing here tomorrow eve.)
After Share Time
#416--O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done!--I Jo. 3:16 (We were told that this is the new song for the month. No reason to argue that, but we did sing it also on 5-21-17, so it's not really brand new. I thought it seemed somewhat familiar.)
Closing Song
#889--Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus--Heb. 12:2 (We sang this short song by heart--probably partly in consideration of the closing time having come later than usual.)
Earlier today I gave a 15-minute talk on cutflowers to the other Master Gardeners, at the monthly meeting. Afterward, one person, who helps plan programs for the horticulture club, asked if I would talk to their group as well--not till next year, fortunately.
All those "busy" things, however, weren't the major pleasure of the past week. I saw so many plants that I have only known by pictures and words so far, and each one delighted me. I also made new friends, heard lots of interesting stories, and reconnected with old friends. Some of the people I visited with are fervent Christians whose life is an inspiration. Others offered a perspective on world events and current issues that I loved hearing. Some of the political references echoed what I have been reading about but don't usually hear first hand--dismay at how divisive things have become. ("I really like her, but I sure don't agree with her politically.") I listened just long enough to figure out where these people "belong," but did not enter into the discussion at all.
As happens too often, people knew me, and I couldn't place them. As soon as they said their names, however, I did know them. Several of them were Hiromi's past employers or spouses of the employers: Judy, who teaches dance, and Dean and Renee, dulcimer players extraordinaire, but, of course, those were avocations for the owner of a computer business and an electronics business.
Hardy, another Master Gardener, used to deliver our newspaper. He once spent an evening in our home, looking for help in translating a Japanese "owner's manual" that came with a doll for his daughter. His childhood in Hawaii where many Japanese people live prepared him to recognize Hiromi's name as a Japanese name. Hardy's mother has moved here from Hawaii and regularly attends our Arlington church.
One person remembered me as Shirley Hinkle's friend. Shirley was like a mom to Hiromi before I knew him. This person goes to Shirley's church and remembered that we had visited there once.
I worked in the Krehbiel's garden. Alice is the main gardener. She has a horticulture degree, and knows everything by its scientific name. It's soooooo satisfying to hear these names spoken with confidence and humility. Hers is a cottage garden--which means that it is quite informal, with reseeders allowed to do their thing, as long as the more timid plants don't get elbowed aside. When I asked Alice if it gives her pleasure to see other people enjoying her garden, she said she had asked the Lord to give her an opportunity to share it with others, and she's really delighted with how this prayer was answered. She came today to hear the talk on cutflowers, even though she's not officially a Master Gardener. She's worked for Stutzmans in the past, and worked in the Dillons floral shop, and really wishes to be able to grow cutflowers to sell.
I learned that Alice has spent time as a missionary in four different countries. Those were all fairly short term commitments, while she tried to settle on a long term option. At some point she got married, and together she and her husband began to plan to go abroad. A scouting trip to Russia, however, convinced her husband that that was not a good option, and he entered the work world in Hutchinson. They're still here.
Alice's husband works for Electrex. Hearing about this company was another inspiration. The owner is a Christian with a big vision for serving his employees and for sharing his skills and finances for alleviating poverty elsewhere. Part of the company's work happens inside the local correctional facility, with inmate labor. The inmates are paid (by some convoluted, indirect system that makes it legal) and profitable for everyone. When some of those who work inside the walls are released, they had a ready-made employment opportunity with Electrex--the part of the company outside the walls. Offering employment to ex-inmates meets a huge need for these people. Finding gainful employment is often very difficult for them. Recidivism is very low for these people.
Many of his employees are single parents who have poor marketable skills. I didn't hear specifics about how he works with these people, but Alice said he really tries to help them. I know a single mother who did work for them, and it was the best job she ever had. They make wiring harnesses for motorized equipment. Excel in Hesston is one of their big customers.
The company owner has initiated the construction of a dam in Honduras, which provides electricity through hydroelectric power to the people in the surrounding area. He has plans to construct several more dams in other areas.
Hiromi once applied for a job with Electrex when the company was still fairly new. The person who got the job he applied for was Reuben, a young man whose mother is Japanese--someone Hiromi knew. Hiromi didn't resent being passed over for that particular job (I don't remember details about how it happened.). Knowing what I know now, however, I really wonder how our lives might have been different if Hiromi could have grown with that company instead of working where he did.
Today Alice told me that she put two and two together and realized that she knows Hiromi, who is "always so friendly" when she checks out through his lane at Walmart.
**************
Another lady I worked with at the garden was Karen, who owned a "sky taxi" service. What that means is that she piloted her own plane, and flew people wherever they wanted to go, if they hired her and paid the going rate. Her husband is a retired orthopedic surgeon.
Karen knew Nasser, a young Palestinian man our family learned to know years ago--soon after I was a student--through Sterling College connections. Nasser's brother is a successful Sterling businessman who sometimes utilized Karen's taxi service.
A daughter of hers is married to a Palestinian man from the West Bank in the Middle East. She had nothing but good things to say about him. He is the president of the American division of a Japanese pharmaceutical company--a company name that Hiromi recognized immediately. Their family lived in Japan for four years.
Karen was eager to set the record straight about what is transpiring between Israel and West Bank. She said, "The US gave the Israelis 3[?] billion dollars in aid, with the understanding that they would cease building settlements in the West Bank [and perhaps the Gaza Strip]. The Israelis took the money and kept right on building settlements in those areas." Karen had a chance to share with her church her son-in-law's perspective on this conflict.
************
I also toured the garden of Ed, who is a neighbor to the Krehbeils, and ended up visiting with Jim, who was in my Master Gardener class. We talked about writing. He is set to have his second book published in October--a novel. The first was Cop in the Classroom--true stories about his years of being the school resource officer for one of the local law enforcement agencies.
The artist who painted the lovely design on the concrete was Naomi Ullum, the sister of our dear friend Eunice. Eunice used to live in Partridge, but lives now in the Missouri Ozarks. We've visited her there a number of times.
Ed took my name and contact information so that he can give me some of his cactus "pups" when he divides them. He gave free instructions on how to care for them. I might even have some to share with Heidi and Tristan--the two family members I know who are besotted with cactus plants.
Ed's wife is from Guatemala. I remembered her from having toured their garden 15? years ago. She is much more comfortable with English now than she was then.
I remember Ed's garden from the earlier tour as the garden with daylilies and vines--and Green and Gold Artemisia and Jacob Kline Bergemot--can't think of its other names right now. Those plants are still there.
****************
And now for the Church Hymns Report for Sunday: (Willard M. was the song leader. Shane was in Texas, and probably John couldn't be there because of having been on duty the night before at the hospital. He's a nurse--and an amazing tenor. Willard is a bass.)
#261--Rise, Glorious Conqueror--Eph 4:8 (second time this year)
#266--Hark!Ten Thousand Harps and Voices--II Pet. 1:11 (first time this year!)
End of Sunday School Song
#385--Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross--Heb. 12:2 (another first timer for the year--a tune arranged by Lloyd Kauffman--who is directing a Shenandoah Music Camp group singing here tomorrow eve.)
After Share Time
#416--O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done!--I Jo. 3:16 (We were told that this is the new song for the month. No reason to argue that, but we did sing it also on 5-21-17, so it's not really brand new. I thought it seemed somewhat familiar.)
Closing Song
#889--Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus--Heb. 12:2 (We sang this short song by heart--probably partly in consideration of the closing time having come later than usual.)
posted by Mrs. I (Miriam Iwashige) at
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