Banana trees are a lot like children's ministry. They are beautiful. They need care. They need time to grow and mature. A few may fail along the way. But the day comes, when they return all of that investment. Wonderful and delicious bananas will grow, providing nutrition for the children and those in excess might provide some income for other good food. Our college team traveled to Nepal in May and planted 50 new banana trees at Maranatha Children's Home. The ground was hard and dry, but the Lord sent a burst of rain on the day after the planting. What a blessing! They say it will take about 18 months before the first fruits will come. We have worked and funded and planted looking towards that day when the investment will return.
The Maranatha children are also an investment in the future. We want to build and bless each of their personal lives. We are providing safety, good food, education, Bible training and ministry experience of all kinds. We are looking towards the day when the Lord will use each precious life for His work and His glory. We hope the children will spread out, returning to the villages, teaching the Word, leading worship and following the Lord as beautiful examples of lives dedicated to Him. We want to add a second floor to Maranatha to complete the project, to accommodate the number of children originally envisioned and to provide separate floors for boys and girls. We are praying for this project and trusting the Lord to provide for it as He has all things thus far.