GOD’S GARDEN

There are three Ladies groups who work under the umbrella ministry called God’s Garden at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Like the honeybee that gathers pollen for the sustenance of the hive, our ladies’ labor earns money to support local, national and international church missions. They help finance auxiliary outreach programs for youth and families -- including Susannah Wesley Community Center, Hale Kipa, The Wesley Foundation, Camp Mekokiko, Angel Network, I.H.S., First UMC Food Bank, Wesley UMW missions, Hunger Walk, Strength for the Journey -- scholarships at Claremont School of Theology and Hawaii Pacific University (Pacific Islanders Scholarship), and donate in crisis situations as they have for the Tsunami Relief and the Katrina Fund.

It all began around 1979 when a couple of ladies planted guava trees in the back yard of the church. While waiting for the trees to bear fruit, they started a vegetable garden. Ted Lesnett, the pastor at that period, saw the ladies tending the garden. He asked, “How is God’s garden doing?” Eureka! God’s Garden was established.

By a stroke of genius - they planted purple and white crown flower bushes. Enough bushes to supply an endless number of flowers for leis. The garden flourished. The Monday kitchen crew makes guava puree, jams and jellies. During mango season, chutney is made. Kumquat jellies appear when the fruits are donated.

Another group also meets on Mondays. The flower ladies sew leis, which are contracted to floral shops. With boundless creativity, they use different parts of the flower to make these distinct leis.

The third group meets on Thursdays. This group specializes in sewing intricate leis for customer requests. They also provide the leis for guest speakers on Sundays and will sew leis for florists on demand.

All of the items produced from God’s Garden are sold, except the caterpillars that appear cyclically on the bushes. No one wants to buy caterpillars.

The gardeners enjoy a fellowship with their sisters-in-Christ. There are also non-members living near the church who give of their time to the enterprise. Potluck lunches are enjoyed by all on Mondays and Thursdays. An informational caring network is created to make coping with life easier. The ladies exchange recipes. They coax their husbands to pick guavas off the trees. Some daughters are urged to knit yarn leis that are given to visitors on Sundays.

For the past 25 years the two dozen or more ladies have earned and given a quarter of a million dollars to carry on God’s work. The focus is on Christ, and Christ’s mission. It is by his grace we are able to share our bounty with others. Thanks be to God!
Jean Kaneshiro
(for “God’s Garden”)