Summer Satisfaction

I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven of earth.

What is this? "I believe that God has created me together with all that exists. . . God daily and abundantly provides shoes and clothing, food and drink, house and farm, spouse and children, fields, livestock, and all property-- along with all the necessities and nourishment for this body and life. . ."

(First Article of the Apostles' Creed, BC, SC, Kolb/Wengert edition.)

With the help of my friends at church, we have managed to can about 40 jars of salsa and 15 jars of tomato sauce from our church garden (with a little extra from other people's gardens too).  There is no greater summer satisfaction for me than looking at all the beautiful jars of red tomato products on my kitchen table.  I love how the glass shines and behind the glass I can see the bits of jalapeños and green peppers, onions and cilantro.  It is a sight to behold.  There is something really satisfying about using what God has given to create a sustainable future.

There is certainly a lot of buzz these days surrounding drug testing for those who receive government aid. There are multiple problems going on in our communities, two of which happen to be the availability and use of drugs --which knows no socioeconomic boundaries by the way, and a lack of employment opportunities.  Sometimes, though, it does seem that there are jobs to be had but they aren't glamorous enough to be worth one's time and energy. . . if this is the case then there is a serious motivation issue going on.  If one is hungry, one will do what one has to do in order to feed the family, even taking a job that might not be one's dream occupation.  The way my office phone rings somedays it seems that asking for assistance from churches and other non-profits is as much a "job" as working at the golden arches.  However, the folks who don't qualify for any assistance but who are working two jobs and busting their hind ends to make ends meet are exactly the ones who will never ask for help.  So what's the solution?  Drug testing or not?  I'm not sure but I bet if they put that into place it will cost the county more money to deal with all the resulting issues that ensue from denying people foodstamps or PRC monies.  The system is broken.  The world is broken.  We are broken.  It's everyone's problem but part of the problem is that sometimes helping isn't really helping.

So back to the salsa.  . . we originally started this project as a way to teach sustainability for folks who rely on assistance to make it through each week and month without going hungry. We invited people from the nonfood bank to come and learn how to make and can applesauce.  No one came.  We planted a garden this year and are now reaping the harvest of that 10x30 foot plot.  The good news is that some younger folks in our parish have learned this lost art.  We will keep trying. . . it's about the "teach a man to fish" concept.  It will take time to change a broken system and this is our little way of contributing to sustainability and greater self sufficiency.

God gives abundantly from the land for our good use and I love that, I want others to know that and to appreciate it too!  It connects us to the earth and to the Creator of Universe!  Plus it tastes really good too! Learning some basic skills surrounding gardening and canning could potentially make a huge difference in many lives.  Plus it is incredibly satisfying! Bon Appetit!