The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. – Matthew 13:31,32 ESV
(Picture by Ann Voskamp)
The Farmer walked the rows with his bag of manure, shaking fertilizer into trenches dug into the dark loamy soil. I lagged behind placing potatoes in those same trenches side-by-side. It was a small make-shift field carved into a steep slope behind Rosa’s house.
The Farmer and I joked that we’d never planted potatoes before so we couldn’t be blamed if things didn’t turn out well. Rosa just laughed. So did her neighbors and the local pastor who leads the Compassion International Child Development Center (EC 478) where Rosa’s three are children are loved well.
And piglets squealed while children played with puppies and the Farmer and I dug our boot toes into the earth and climbed from the last trench up to Rosa’s back stoop.
Rosa told us that when what we planted together grows there will be enough potatoes for her three children and a dozen pigs. Later, Ann, the Farmer’s wife would whisper a prayer for this: fat pigs and a great harvest.
When what we plant together grows…
…there will be enough.
And my mind flipped through a book on a shelf back home, to a page where the theologian sums up the kingdom of heaven as God’s dynamic reign and rule on earth in the present. Dynamic, not passive. On the move. Ruling. Pushing against sickness, oppression, poverty, all manner of brokenness and need – fattening pigs, providing for mothers, feeding children. In King Jesus’ name.
From Jerusalem to Ecuador. Spreading. Spawning. From one seed a mighty weed.
On the plane ride to Ecuador I’d read these words of Jesus transcribed by Matthew. “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed.” Not just any mustard seed, which would be quite small already, but Matthew used a Jewish idiom similar to our “itsy bitsy” to describe this kingdom seed. Jesus compared His rule down here to the smallest imaginable mustard seed. A grain of a mustard seed.
But when planted in earth, in hearts, the grain grows. Reaching up and out. A wonder weed. Jews considered mustard a weed – its seeds falling and germinating instantly, taking over the place they’re planted, growing into trees, choking out whatever else grew there.
All this pervasive productivity from one itsy bitsy seed.
Like Everett Swanson. One man traveling from America to Korea to encourage U.S. servicemen stationed there in the 50’s. One morning, as the sun was coming up, Everett saw the orphans of war piled in doorways to stay warm through the night. He watched as a government truck backed up to one pile, two men in uniform climbed out, walked to the pile of children and shook them awake. They scattered. Except for those who didn’t make it through the cold night. He watched as these men took the dead by wrist and ankle, tossed them into the back of their truck like trash and drove on to the next pile, to the next frozen child, to shake and toss again.
“Now that you know,” Everett’s friend asked,” what will you do about it?”
As the story’s been passed down to me, Everett took in a few orphans. Then a few more. Until he needed a little help. He asked fellow Christians to choose just one of his children and pay a small price to underwrite their care. To become their “sponsor.”
Child sponsorship was invented. Compassion International was birthed. From one man caring for a few. From one Christian at a time giving a little each month to support his work. And what they planted together has grown and is now enough for…
(Picture by Keely Marie Scott)
Today Compassion International meets the spiritual and physical needs of more than 1.4 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. More than 50,000 children are served by Compassion in Ecuador alone. They go to school. They get to see a doctor when they’re sick. They receive proper nutrition, a safe place to play with friends. They hear about and experience the love of God every day from Christian teachers, pastors, mentors and friends. So much from the small seed of $38.
The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Planted here on earth, it reaches upward and outward: Fattening pigs, feeding three fatherless children in the mountains of Ecuador, providing income for their mother and proof to them all that God sees and loves and makes much of them. Itsy bitsy them.
I’m not much. You’re not much. But what we plant together grows to be enough. Sponsor a child.
Karen says:
50,000? That is staggering and amazing and takes my breath away…yet also .realizing there are many more! Thanks be to God and to Mr. Swanson!
Praying for your team and that many children will be released from poverty in Jesus’ name!
Shaun Groves says:
It IS staggering isn’t it? Amazing what God has done with one man’s obedience. Humbling to walk through the fruit of his decision right here in Ecuador this week.
Ethan says:
I live on my family’s farm. I’m a member of the sixth generation. As of 17 March, we’ve been on this farm for 142 years. My father says something every fall when we finish bringing the harvest in. We’ll stand at the door, looking at our barn full to the brim with our crops, and Dad will pick up a small jar and say, “Kids, all of this came from seeds that, put together, fit into this small coffee can just a few months ago. From seeds. It’s our job to plant them, to cultivate them, to protect and labor towards this moment. But there’s one thing that is God’s job, and his alone. God makes the seed grow. If we had that job, it’d keep us up at night. Remember this, kids. This is how life works. This is how God has designed things to come to pass. This is even how the kingdom of God is talked about in the Bible.”
Every year Dad says this, and every year I understand a little better just what he means. I think I understand him a little better after this post. Thanks Shaun.
Shaun Groves says:
So this is nothing new to you, Ethan. But to this city boy… Thanks for stopping by.
Katie says:
I have never heard the Everett Swanson story. And I needed to hear it.
Praying for your team.
Thank you,
Katie
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says:
Katie, this post has 2 very moving videos about Everett Swanson. http://www.bloggingfromtheboonies.com/2011/08/colorado-trip-part-three.html
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for that, michelle.
Amy Hunt says:
Oh, yeah! Talk about power! I think about the fish–and how it fed so many!
If we do it…He will provide. And, it will be enough.
I am incredibly humbled and very curious (living my sheltered life) to See how God will move in me through following your trip. I’ve had an aching for children–adopting, specifically–and want to help. Praying my husband is aligned with me, someday.
In the mean time, I pray for you all–and the people you’ll meet in the process. And for all of us who are moved by your writing.
Praying you rich blessings, Shaun, as He moves you to take a step…and another…and another…all for His glory.
Erin says:
Fabulous post. True and great.
@Amy – just read your comment, Amy, and just wanted to say that God may align you and your husband’s desires and vision of your family in ways you never imagined. He is faithful and nothing is too hard for Him. Your prayers for children, and for adoption specifically are like seeds that you sow. I have seen God align couples in amazing ways! Take heart!
Patricia says:
Beautiful stories ~ beautiful people in Ecuador, thankful people, tears falling for all the children in poverty ~ thank you for all of you and your dedication to Compassion ~ how could we not act ~ praying for everyone there, for God’s hands to wrap around each one and supply just enough each day
Steve Jones says:
“When what we plant together grows…there will be enough.” Great words and thoughts today. So proud of what you are doing and have done for His Kingdom! Can’t say it enough, overwhelmed by how much God has done with what you have given Him.
Shaun Groves says:
Thank you, Steve. Back atcha, sir.
Adam says:
Thank you so much for sharing, not just the story, but the “sowing” as well. If more of us would be about the planting, there would be more reaping and the battle against poverty would be less one-sided. Thank you Shaun for doing, sharing, and teaching. You are in my prayers.
Pam says:
Thank you for doing what you do and encouraging us to join with you. I know I am not much, but linking arms with the likes of you does make what our Heavenly Daddy can do through us enough. Continuing to pray for what you sow during this trip.
Shaun Groves says:
Thank you, Pam.
Alaina says:
I live in Ecuador as a missionary. I follow Simple Mom blogs and found out about you guys being in my backyard! Thank you for coming here and ministering to people close to my heart.
Cherie says:
Shaun your dedication to the message of Compassion moves me to tears. After having enjoyed your music and humor at Relevant, I am trusting you are spreading that JOY to all those around you. God bless your mission. Tell Ann hello for me!
Shaun Groves says:
Oh, there is much humor out here. There has to be. It’s good medicine. And there’s no shortage of it with Melanie and Sophie around! Thanks for reading and encouraging, Cherie.
Michelle ~ Blogging from the Boonies says:
As usual, these trip posts are so moving. Thank you for posting!
Jason says:
50,000 in Ecuador alone? Wow. That’s just an incredible number.
Kris says:
Beautiful. Between your post now, and Ann’s which I read earlier (well tried to read through my tears) I am moved again. God’s grace, the way he multiplies the blessings? It amazes and humbles me, and encourages me to plant the seeds, however “itty-bitty” they may seem to me…. Thanks for this, Shaun. God’s peace and strength as you keep serving…
Aislynn Holt says:
These blogs and videos are tearing me up today. I met my child in September, and I am missing him terribly. Oh, the beautiful work of Compassion!
Kelli says:
Praying for a mighty harvest from your tiny seeds both here on Earth and for all eternity.
Shaun Groves says:
Thank you, Kelli.
Jerry Homuth says:
Right on brother, 2 Peter 3:9, the Lord’s will is that none should perish…. and He has more patience than anyone could imagine,,Amen…He is coming back soon, and He tells us we must be ready. And I believe part of that ‘being ready’, is to reach out to the lost. Keep up the good work….
Tsh @ Simple Mom says:
Love this sweet and simple concept, Shaun, and yet it’s so profound. Jesus feeds 5,000 from a few loaves. He mentors 12 to reach the world. And not just numerically, either… God saves the world through a baby born in a smelly barn.
Who am I to say $38 won’t do anything? Who am I to limit God? That’s not very creative of me. But God is… and He does so much with our measly pittance. He really does multiply, in so many ways.
Thanks for your words, Shaun. I’ll pray all week for your stamina to lead the group and to share your words.
Shaun Groves says:
Thank you, Tsh. Will you please pray for travels tomorrow? Heading to the Amazon and, well, it isn’t close by…and there’s a canoe involved ; )
Pray also for Patricia and Kelly and me? That we would continue to be amazed and thankful and insightful though we’ve witnessed Compassion’s work so many times before this. Thanks, friend.
Cooking Up Faith says:
Thank you for sharing this today. I’m praying for continued faith as you are obedient to His calling today.
Lindley says:
Thank you Shaun for leading this group and for telling of some of the stories in Ecuador. Compassion has been on my heart for some time now, because of bloggers (some of whom are on your team now) like you. My husband I have been praying about sponsoring a child from Ecuador and can’t wait to tell our little boys about our soon to be new friend from Ecuador! Thank you for showing God’s love to all of these families and for encouraging our little family to do the same!
Jill Foley says:
Shaun, you regularly write good posts when it comes to Compassion and this is another great one! Thank you for this.
Shaun Groves says:
So needed that encouragement this afternoon, Jill. Thank you. That means so much coming from a pro like you.
Melissa Jones says:
I’m not usually one to do this, but that was simply beautiful. Thank you.
Blessings on you, your team, and all the lives that will change yours while you’re down there.
shana says:
Praying for a great trip for all of you.
Blessings,
Shana
(we met at NWC in Minnesota in September — we brought our 6 kids to listen to your evening performance)
Jacque says:
Thank you for your words and the reminder of the difference we can make in Jesus’ name. Your posts are all so very moving and I am living vicariously through you all. Ecuador is close to my heart because one of my Compassion children lives there…thank you for all you are doing to release children from poverty. I am earnestly praying for you all…
Misty Krasawski says:
Shaun, as usual your words are wonderful … and tear-inducing. So grateful for your songs at Relevant (just 10 days ago!) and how God used them to touch my heart. So thankful for the picture of Maria on my refrigerator and what that means, for the chance to be part of her life. Thank you for this; for opening eyes; for the songs that have played through my mornings and evenings since I returned home, and which are still doing their softening, breaking work.
Maybe I’ll get to come plant potatoes with you sometime. ๐
Katie says:
Thanks for opening our eyes. May God bless your travels and continue to open all of our eyes to what we may plant together.