When church members take God as a project Partner, amazing things can happen. After Otis Parks, retired pastor of the Troy, Idaho, Church, returned from a seven-week mission trip to Africa last year, he was determined to grow some pumpkins and squash for Investment.
Because of a cool, wet Spring, Parks was unable to plant the squash until late June and thought, “these seeds will never mature before frost.” But they had been dedicated for Investment, and his worries and doubts were immediately followed by a Bible text: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good” Ecc1. 11:6.
The seeds sprouted and the plants grew to three feet tall with leaves 14 inches across. But would they mature? The mornings of Aug. 3 and Sept. 8 brought frost. Other gardens in the area were completely wiped out. The Investment plants continued to prosper and grow, many to 30 lbs.: Hubbards, Bananas, Sweetmeats, and hybrids. Parks’ wife, Ann, and Alina Arnold, a Soils Master student at University of Idaho, helped by watering and weeding when he was busy with other farm work.
The weight of the Investment pumpkins totaled 4,000 lbs and the squash came to 3,800 lbs. Sales to an area produce store totaled $1,310. The root cellar still has 1,000 pounds. Miracle squash anyone?
Otis Parks’ pickup is headed for market loaded down with the Investment pumpkins and squash that were protected from the elements to reach maturity.
Otis Parks (right) set up a display in Troy, Idaho, to sell his Investment pumpkins.
