Saturday, April 04, 2009

A place that peace and hope abound

I spent the last day and a half with Jengish in the capital city and out at the rehab centre. Every time I go there I am amazed... There is one man that has a special place in my heart. This is a before photo when Jengish found him... He was hardened and bitter, and had a drug and Alcohol problem... Everyone had given up on him and he had nowhere left to turn... Jengish brought him out to the farm, and began mentoring him... after about 6 months he moved to town while we were there and took a 6 month course on preparing for missions... We had opportunity to spend time with him during his time in town, and it was nice for him as well as he knew us from the farm... When I walked through the gates at the farm this year and saw him there, I was so glad to see him, and I was more thrilled to see that he was not there as a student this time, but was there using the training he had received and the new outlook he had on life to pour into the new students there... He is truly a man full of peace and grace... He shows love and respect to those he works with, despite their current situation... When we first visited Ruslan at the farm, there were 5 men and 3 workers, 1 cow and a dozen chickens. Today there are 22 men, 5 or 6 workers, 8 cows a full orchard planted, and they are busy this weekend building 50 hives for the new bees they will be getting soon.... They have a vision to make this home totally self sufficient... and as I walked through the valley with Ruslane on our way out to see the cows, I could not help but feel an overwhelming power and peace in this place.... It was funny, I went out there to encourage the man, and I found a small oasis .... a place that peace and hope abound....
As I asked them, "What next?" they shared there plans for a women's rehab centre on a neighboring farm... I will share more about that another time.....I know that this has been a labour of love for Jengish, and I am so honoured to be even a small part of the great things that are happening there...


4 comments:

Mala said...

What an incredible story. That B&W photo is very striking and you can just feel that it has a story to tell.

Julie and John Wright said...

Peace that passes understanding.

Jack and Carol Wessel said...

Isn't it wonderful when God allows us to see the fruit. Keep on blessing!

Cindy LaJoy said...

I remember the photo from Jengish's site (sure wish he would post a lot more of his phenomenal photos...he has no idea what stories they tell and what help they could generate!). It is great to have an update on this man, to see the change in him. Thanks for the follow up, John!