Why community?
Jesus focused upon relationships when He concisely stated the entire Law in two simple truths: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Like Him, we treasure relationships, too. We put the word community into our name because we are longing for more than a school where families simply drop off their children. Two short months ago, we never would have imagined in our wildest dreams to see such an outpouring of community in the debut of Harvest. Parents, teachers, administration, and even our very own students have joined us in painting, cleaning, etc. We have gone home with sore muscles from pulling rotting plywood from a perfectly good porch to pressure washing grime off the sides of the building. Extended family has joined us by doing the dirtiest jobs—emptying the muck from the pond and filling a trailer with debris from the construction job. Those unable to do serious hard labor have donated furniture, a refrigerator, money (which is much easier now that we have online donation), encouragement, etc. We are especially excited that people who may not ever directly benefit from our school have gotten involved with Working Party 2013 (the title of our photo album in case you would like to see some pictures). Days and days of painting and cleaning. One man donated two costly outdoor tables for fresh air lunches. One of our county's coupon divas came by with a bucket full of cleaning supplies that only costs five cents, including the bucket! Carolina Tree Care took down a tree for us, and we have a rain check for them to do a few more next month. Others have stopped by to drop off books, science equipment, puzzles, and games! We have hired experienced construction workers to do jobs beyond our ability: replacing sheetrock and a few porch floor boards, making minor roof repairs, priming the walls, painting two rooms with twelve-foot ceilings, installing carpet, and converting the kitchen to a classroom. They have been working extra hard for very reasonable wages to help us get ready for our Drop-In and Tour next Monday (August 12 at 6:30 p.m.). Today someone stopped by who saw the condition of the building when we first turned on the power. He was bowled over by all the progress we have made to get the school ready to open its doors. He asked Angie how we had managed to do so much work in so little time. She smiled and told him how God has been sending so many people to us, even if only for an afternoon. He agreed with the clear evidence of His hand in our little school. How blessed we are to see this verse from Paul's letter to the Galatians in action: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
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I believe that Jesus is still teaching and revealing Himself to his disciples—you and me—through parables. There are parables happening in each of our lives and all around us each and everyday, but we often fail to recognize them. As a matter of fact, I nearly missed one yesterday as I was cleaning our classrooms. I was so focused on scrubbing base boards and washing windows until they were streak free that I missed a beautiful illustration of the Gospel. Blessedly, Pat Terry, my cleaning companion, was more alert and aware of the Holy Spirit's voice in our work.
Our little school building at 10 S. Dukes Street was left abandoned and forlorn about five years ago. Over time the paint began to chip, cobwebs formed in the corners, the windows became encrusted with dirt and grime, and flies and spiders lived full lives and then died on the window sills. But, the first day we looked at the property, we fell in love. We knew we could make our home here. We knew that we could repaint, knock down cobwebs, and clean windows. We saw a beautiful potential in the place. So, now, we are on our hands and knees scrubbing base boards, getting dust in our hair and eyes, and sweating through our clothes. Our vision of beauty is becoming reality! We have an old building that is being made new! Pat brought to my attention that our journey and relationship with the property is so very much like Jesus' relationship with us. Jesus also promises to make us new, if we will accept His free and unearned gift. He looks around at our chipping paint, the cobwebs in our hearts and the dirt and grime that that forms over our eyes, and makes us blind to the Light. He looks around and He falls in love with us! He thinks, "I could make my home here." All the work to make us new was done on the cross long ago, but today—everyday—Jesus is sweeping out the cobs webs, scrubbing those dark corners, and making our eyes to see His glory. And in the end, "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) I am not one of those people who love cleaning, but now, each moment that I spend on my hands and knees scrubbing those floors will be an act of worship. It will be a reminder of the good work that Jesus is doing in me and through Harvest Community School. Thank you Jesus for making old things new and speaking your Truth into this world. Please give us eyes to see and ears to hear. With Love and Thanksgiving, Shea Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:10-12 The three of us (Shea, Angie, and Tammy) are thrilled about the turn-out of our ice cream social. We met with some wonderful families who are planning to enroll their children at Harvest. One might have to wait five years until her little man grows a bit. We gave away all five copies of For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay to thank them for coming.
We were excited to learn that they are committed to being a vital part of our community and are quite willing to help us do the hard work in the next five weeks to make the school a reality. They asked a lot of really great questions, which we will answer here and add to the website!
We will close with a hymn we will sing with our students starting in August. It is quickly becoming an anthem for Harvest Community School--"Great Is Thy Faithfulness". Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above, Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided-- Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! |
HCSA community called to offer another way to learn for students in Clarendon County Archives
December 2019
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