The prayer garden started with a thought and a plan. The thought was to show this important time of Christ’s life in a beautiful setting. However, knowing how to make that happen took the efforts of many, many people. Each one contributed their time and talent in making this beautiful garden possible for YOU. Yes, this garden is for YOU. We want it to be a place that you feel welcome to come and spend time with your Father just as Jesus spent time with His Father the night Judas betrayed him.
There are two benches in the garden where you are welcome to sit as long as you wish. Enjoy being surrounded by beauty and marvel at God’s creation of plants, shrubs and trees. This quiet place can be your place to reconnect with the One who loves you the most.
We knew that in order to make this happen, we would need the help of an expert. We knew of none better than Victoria’s brother Dan Carr. Dan is an award winning landscape designer who retired from his landscaping career with Disney. We approached Dan and asked him to design and oversee the construction of the prayer garden.
The location for the garden was selected in an area where there would be space for you to park. We knew that this had to be located in an area that would still allow us to include the other events of the life of Christ that we wanted to depict.
Like a composer writing a song, Dan had a vision of what the garden should look like in his mind. He made this basic sketch and shared it with us. He carefully described what he had in mind.
One of the first steps was to plot out the size and shape of each of the “islands” located in the garden. The islands were painted on the ground. Not everyone would think in advance about some of the details that would later become an issue. This was made evident when Dan asked if the lawnmower could be brought to this spot. He wanted be sure that there was enough room for the lawnmower to get between the islands. Obviously, this was something that his years of designing had taught him. He also wanted to make sure that the arc of each island was not too sharp for the lawnmower to navigate around. In other words, Dan paid close attention to each detail. God pays attention to the details of our lives. He created and designed you with the end in mind. He deliberately placed within you the skills and desires that He knew would be needed in your future.
In June, 2021, four couples with the RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service) spent the entire month with us working on the garden. Many yards of dirt and mulch were brought in. The trees were planted and things really started to take shape. These four couples are retired from their “real jobs” but they don’t want to just lay around on a beach or something. They want to be productive by using their skills helping ministries like ours. Again, people using what God has given them for His service.
The main focus of the garden is Jesus praying. We wanted a BIG rock in the center of the garden for this. Moving the rock into position was quite a major job. However, with the muscle power of a tractor, the rock was placed right where we wanted it. The use of the tractor was made possible because of one of our Board Members, Fred Bell. Fred is another man who has skills that he has made available for the Lord’s service. Fred is not the only Board Member that was involved. From time to time, most of our 12 member board have put their sweat, blood and energy into the garden.
Dan worked closely with the great folks at Horrocks Garden Center. When they realized what the project was about, they did what they could to help us with the cost of the many trees, plants and shrubs. They also had two amazing urns that now mark the entrance to the garden. These planters are beautiful and exactly what we needed. However, they are what anyone would consider HEAVY! Again it took a lot of muscle to get them in place. These were all volunteer people working hard so that YOU would have this place to pray. Enjoy the efforts of their labor.
Horrocks also had two matching stone benches. These benches are in the garden for one reason alone, for YOU to sit on. We really do want you to not only drive through and enjoy seeing the different stations of the life of Christ, but to stop and spend time with your Heavenly Father.
Even our neighbors got involved. People who love the Lord and are willing to give their time and enegery to help with this project. Yes, that’s another BIG rock, one of many that were brought in.
Day after day, plants were positioned in their assigned places. Smaller rocks were hauled in and placed around each of the islands. This is still a work in progress as we look to keep adding to the garden as the Lord provides the funds and the labor. We would encourage you to examine your own skills. God has given you the ability to do something. Are you willing to share those skills and knowledge? Do you realize that “helpers” are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28? Yes, being a helper is an important title. We would love to hear from you if you would be willing to pitch in or help in any way. If you are available to help we would love to hear from you. Volunteers are essential for the operation of any non-profit organization.
Perhaps God has blessed you financially and you would like to help with the cost of the trees, urns, benches, etc. Your donations are welcome and will help us maintain and expand the Life of Christ project. Yes, your donations are tax-deductible.
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