Jeff Noyed, Director
Hope Arising
Open Your Heart Challenge
Two times I have been fortunate enough to go up in a Hot Air Balloon. It is a mixture of how a kite feels blowing in the wind and a motorcycle rider feels with the fresh air flowing around their bodies.
It is almost unreal as you see it enter the skyline as I did while in Hudson, WI overlooking the St. Croix River. But make no mistake. It is a massive effort to get launched. After the wind speed has been determined safe (between 4-10 mph) a launch site is chosen. The massive balloon is laid out and the propane gas burner is ignited that sends hot air into the balloon. Once filled and ready to lift off the 6-8 passengers hurry into the heavy duty woven-wicker basket and then…up, up and away.
Fifteen-gallons of propane is used for a typical one hour flight. The skilled pilot has a landing spot and time in mind before the flight but many variables can make landing a little bit of a challenge. Both of my landings were perfectly orchestrated by Pilot and Long-Time family friend, Rod Larson.
Our personal faith walk and Jericho Road Ministries are a lot like the Hot Air Balloon. Both need resources and intentionality to have a successful flight.
A church home, a small group, a personal devotion, some close friends, perseverance during suffering, retreats, an active and worshipful faith in Christ, a humble prayer time, and caring for the poor are all parts of a successful “Hope Arising” flight in the Christian life.
For Jericho Road to have a successful flight it is to assure that we have enough resources to help meet the needs of a Covid-19 battled economy and a community still in the long process of recovery following the George Floyd riots. The Food Banks that Jericho Road works with were extremely generous in 2020 but have cut back significantly with funding in 2021. Thus, our food budget has risen significantly each week in 2021.
Jericho Road feels a little like this Beaver-gnawed tree I recently saw on the Prairie River in McGregor, Minnesota. Unless a reinforced fence or medal sleeve is put around the base this healthy looking tree will succumb to the Beaver’s bites. Though not that dire it does illustrate the point of Jericho Road needing ongoing resources to sustain all of its food related programs including Laurie’s special Garden’s of Praise project (see below).
Open Your Heart (OYH) has a matching July, 2021 grant in play. The more that Jericho Road receives in July the more our part of the OYH grant will be. Your generosity will fuel the “Hope Arising” Jericho Road Hot Air Balloon for those in need this summer. Thank You!
Laurie McRostie
Gardens of Praise Coordinator
Gardens of Praise 2021
Gardening is exciting and challenging. It is different every year. If you have ever gardened you know exactly what I mean. Gardens of Praise had a great kick off day on May 22 and there was a mystery glitch that could have made a huge impact on that day.
This year we ordered bagged compost from a local enterprise and arranged for delivery. We received a notice that the compost had been delivered but when I went to the garden to check on it, compost was nowhere to be found. Yikes!! What happened? As the mystery unraveled it became evident that there is a big difference in an address downtown. South 7th Street is not the same as 7th Street South. The delivery driver had reached out to me about this, when he was trying to deliver, but I was not available when he called. He chose to deliver the 2.5 tons/69 bags of compost in a very unusual place. I am very grateful they made this decision and didn’t return it to the shop, because it would not have been available for the work day that following Saturday. After some sleuthing and searching the neighborhood, I found the compost under the freeway bridge by the train tracks, near the railroad maintenance yard. I am extremely grateful for Rob Meysembourg and his over the top help in moving the compost onto the Bethlehem Baptist church pickup. He then unloaded all the compost bags at the garden. Remember I said 2.5 tons/69 bags of compost!!!! He is a hero and THANK YOU ROB.
Railroad Tracks The Garden
DELIVERY LOCATIONS
Gardeners were very grateful as well and the compost was well used. There is a very nice mix of gardeners this year in the 25 plots. Some plots have been combined and there are 18 families that are growing healthy, natural vegetables for their families and to share with friends. It was so much fun to see all the hard work on our garden kick off day. Isn’t there an old family adage - families that garden together, eat great meals together!!!
Kelvin Kluver is keeping on top of the mowing again this year, although the drought we are all experiencing has kept the grass pretty short. His help at the garden is a huge gift to all of us. Watering has probably been the biggest challenge this year and we are very grateful to Bethlehem Baptist Church for both the land and the use of the water. It seems that this year the rabbits have been conquered – well mostly. Our fenced garden was breached and one broccoli plant was destroyed. Alas, that’s gardening.
We are all looking forward to a great season and very excited about an abundant harvest. One red tomato has already been sited. Thanking the Lord for his provision and how he watches over us. Have a great summer.
