Orphans learn how to tend a garden

It is the most quoted non-verse in the Bible: “God helps those who help themselves.” It is not exactly a bad thing, it just isn’t there. I believe it upholds a principle, “Do your best and God will do the rest,” which can be defended. And, that may be crucial to our success in Cambodia.

When I arrived in Laos 43 years ago, I’ve got to admit I felt a little bit like a “June bug visiting a duck convention.” Here I was, the only white guy (I take that back there were two French priests, but they killed one of them, so let’s just say, I was the only white American) in the province. I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was very welcome everywhere I went, I was the center of attention, and yet it seemed everywhere I went I felt as though I was on the menu.

I believe the loneliest day of my life was Thanksgiving of 1968. I went down for a swim in the Nam Sane river, came up and ate a can of cold Chinese goose meat for lunch and went to work on my dry season garden. I had the best seeds, finest soil, sterilized my seedbed, fertilized everything to perfection, had my insecticides on hand, and a well right next door. The only thing I didn’t do was check on how long the well was good. It went dry in April. The garden died. And everyone had a good laugh. When I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” They simply responded, “You didn’t ask.”  I made a wise decision, I just laughed with them and I made a lot of good friends. After that they watched out for my stupid mistakes.

How did God help me ?  I learned a great lesson: “Search for the weakest link in every project and work to strengthen it.” Now, gardens are one of the mainstays of support for our homes.