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Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24

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Prayer Focus

Moses and Robert – A Circle of Support

March 8, 2010
Scripture to read this week: Matthew 21:18-22

Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry.
Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.
Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither
so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith
and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,
but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’
and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive
whatever you ask for in prayer.”

The scripture for today’s devotional is an unusual choice, particularly when we are highlighting two orphans who are trying to make their living by farming – growing vegetables and fruit and selling them. In Matthew 21, Jesus does not attempt to grow plants, but rather makes one wither. Jesus is walking along the road on his way to Jerusalem and his death when he becomes hungry and finds a fig tree. When he saw that the fig tree did not produce fruit, he cursed the fig tree and it withered. Jesus expected that fig tree to produce fruit whether or not it was a good season for figs.

Moses, a Giving Hope orphan in Kenya, seems to have taken this lesson to heart. In tough and good seasons, his life continually bears fruit.

From his plot of land on the top of a mountain, Moses has a view of God’s glory. On one side of his mountain, you can see the beautiful plains of the savannah and on the other side a vista of rolling mountains. The true beauty, though, is found in the plants that Moses has learned to carefully tend. He is growing banana trees, kale, onions, and pumpkins. Through his hard work, all are flourishing. To Moses, this is all a gift from God because a few years ago he could not imagine such a garden.

Moses’ parents died of HIV/AIDS, and his older brother retreated to the city. With few resources, Moses was left to care for a step-mother who was also sick with AIDS and a younger sister that needed support. Even his beautiful plot of land wasn’t worth much because, despite the view, it is a long way from the city. Because of the distance, it costs money to hire people to transport the cultivated food down to the local market.

After his older brother left, Moses was enrolled in the Giving Hope program. A year and a half ago, a group from Tennessee took Moses and a few others to a bio-intensive farm so he could learn how to utilize his land more effectively. He took those lessons to heart.  Just a year after his training at the farm, his own plot of land took on mythical qualities, providing plenty to eat and sell. Having enough to support his family is a dream come true, but it’s not his only dream. Moses wants to teach others how to be successful farmers. God is turning that hope into reality as well.

A 19-year-old boy named Robert (pictured on the right in a red hat) lives near Moses and desperately needs help with his farming. Robert is a total orphan – both his parents have died – and his older brother, too, left him to care for a little brother and a little sister. Although Robert had little space and little food, Robert also took in his brother’s child and hopes to earn enough money and goods to keep his whole family in school.

In response to this need, Moses has taken Robert under his wing. When asked how much he is charging for his time and his lessons, Moses answers very simply that he doesn’t charge anything. Moses says that his green thumb is a gift from God, so he freely shares his time and his talents with Robert.

Jesus’ fig tree and Moses’ plot of land have a lot in common – both are about more than the plants. Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree is about Israel and their lack of faithfulness to God. In Matthew, the text does not tell us whether the tree was too young to bear fruit or whether or not it was the wrong season for figs. The message Jesus seems to emphasize is that his creatures are called to be fruitful at all ages and in all seasons. Moses teaches us that it is possible to bear fruit in the worst of situations.

Moses and Robert have had difficult lives. No one would expect them to bear fruit and be productive in such a difficult season of their lives. Still, Robert decided to take on the added burden of caring for a young nephew who needed support. Knowing he had the skills to help Robert with his farming in order to care for his family, Moses is mentoring Robert. One child adopted another, and a third child is making sure that all have enough to eat. When Jesus comes back in all of his glory, he will look at the wonderful fruit of Moses and Robert and say “well done, my good and faithful servants.”

Prayer:
Dear God, we confess that we have not always been fruitful, even in the best of times. We have not let your love flow out of us and into others. We give you thanks for the witness of Moses and Robert – for their faithfulness and for their ability to bear fruit. May we follow their example and bear fruit in all seasons. Amen.

Take Action:
Set aside time this week to consider your gifts. List ways that you could use them to help others. Choose one, and do it.

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