Planting Trees

There’s a song by Andrew Peterson called “Planting Trees.” The song talks about planting trees now, letting the roots grow deep, so that when we are gone, the branches will “bless the dawn.”  A few years ago, Betsy put together a slide show for my parents for all of us to watch at our family Christmas party. She had this song playing in the background. It struck me back then how blessed I am to have parents that see the importance of going beyond what they think they can do, and choose to live in a world where they trust God to do all the doing for them. They may live in this world, but they are planting trees that will stretch into the next…

Over the last few days, I have been able to see some of their trees that have been planted here… and they are already spreading out their branches to “bless the dawn.”

Trees of Inspiration

People are watching what is happening here in Gulu, Uganda and beginning to dream a new dream for themselves. Not only are people starting farms or thinking differently about how to use their land, but people are starting to build farms in other countries to help those people see a different way to live.

Trees of Friendship

My mom says all the time that she can’t believe she has friends in Africa. And they do. It has been true joy to see my parents with their African friends. These are true friendships built on a common desire to spread the hope of the gospel to people who feel forgotten and unworthy. These are wonderful people who have become like family to my parents, and now to me. The thought of leaving here and not seeing them for what will most likely be years, brings tears.

Trees of Hope

The seeds of hope are being planted in all sorts of places here in Uganda. From the African bushland, to the streets of Gulu, to the government offices in Kampala, to the Church of Uganda, to the friends and supporters in America, hope is sprouting. People are beginning to see that something good can come out of Northern Uganda. People are starting to see that this type of project brings life into hurting communities and builds opportunities for a different future.

In the last few days, I have witnessed a praise and worship service at the farm to try and spread the gospel to the workers, their families and the surrounding villages. I have listened to stories of other businesses in town that are being blessed with the business the farm brings to them. I have built friendships with some of the sincerest, happiest, coolest people on the planet. I have handed out suckers and toys to children who are watching what’s going on here and wondering if they’ll get to be a part of it someday. I’ve met a Bishop who is working to have the biggest government university in Uganda partner with his church and the farm for training students in a new agricultural degree. I’ve listened to young men and women tell stories of what this farm has taught them and how it has already changed the course of their lives for the better. I have seen numerous farms already being started because of what they saw at Gulu Country Dairy. I have seen poverty and devastation. I have seen joy and hope. I have seen the truth that the pursuit of worldly things is truly a vain endeavor.

These are all seeds, planted by people who live life with their hands and feet working here on earth, but their eyes on heaven. They plant trees not for themselves, but for those who come after. Trees that stand for something good and exist to bless those who stand beneath its branches for a bit of shade from their heat scorched life.

So where do I go from here? How am I to follow in these footsteps? Lord, I want to plant trees too! I want to be able to pray the “anything” prayer that Jennie Allen talks about in her book “Anything.” (Thank you, Bonnie, for sending that with me and making everything else in my backpack dead weight!) I want to earnestly pray the prayer that says I’ll give up everything for God; the prayer that says “I’ll give up what I cannot keep, so I can gain what I cannot lose.” That is so exciting to me and yet incredibly scary. I think I need to go stand in the shade and muster up my courage before I step into the heat of battle. Hmmm… I think I know the perfect tree…

“Planting Trees” by Andrew Peterson

We chose the spot
We dug the hole
We laid the maples in the ground
To have and hold

As autumn falls
To winters sleep
We pray that somehow in the spring
The roots grow deep

And many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn, hmm

He took a plane
To Africa
He gathered up into his arms
An orphan son

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
This tree will spread its branches out
And bless the dawn

So sit down and write that letter
Sign up and join the fight
Sink in to all that matters

Step out into the light

Let go of all that's passing
Lift up the least of these
Lean into something lasting
Planting trees,

She rises up
As morning breaks
She moves among these rooms alone
Before we wake

And her heart is so full
It overflows
She waters us with love
And the children grow

So many years from now
Long after we are gone
These trees will spread their branches out
And bless the dawn