As harvesting season is almost over, farmers are busier to harvest enriched crops in their fields. Because all of the crops must be harvested and stored in barns before cold weather begins with frost. This year, most crops had already been harvested in late Autumn, but some were left because of the shortage of hands. The members of the Church of God heard this, and rushed to the fields waiting to be harvested. As God said, to 'give love' was more blessed than 'to receive.'


The 2nd Songpa Church in Seoul helped a farmer gather rice straws

On November 13, twenty men members from Songpa area in Seoul volunteered to help a farmer in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, who was suffering from a shortage of hands. Although it was a holiday, the men members gathered willingly very early in the morning and said, "Although it is a small help, we want people to know that there are still many good neighbors who can be with them when they are in need. We also wish to spread hope to the world, and it will be more of a pleasure if we can give glory to God with our good deeds."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

After a two hour drive, they arrived at the field. It was about 9:30a.m. The field presented a beautiful scenery along with Paldang Lake. There were many crops that hadn't been harvested due to the labor shortage and rain. Park Geum-nam (69), the owner of the field said, "The crop is not good, being compared with the last year, because it rained too much during the harvesting season." He welcomed the members with a bright smile, saying, "It is not easy for me to finish harvesting by myself because I am in poor health. I thank all of you and the Church of God for helping me today."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

The job that the members had to do on that day was to carry the harvested rough rice straws on the field larger than 1.3 hectare to the warehouse. The owner said that he would feed his six cows with these rice straws throughout the winter. Two 1-ton trucks were used to transport the rice straws. It was the first time for the members to carry rice straws. Carrying thousands of rice straws, their necks, arms, and legs were all tired and sore. But they worked delightfully, watching the scattered rice straws being piled up high in the barn.

By working together with one mind, they finished the work earlier than expected, so they could help another farmer named Kim Chun-gil (66) who asked for their help. Being helped by the members, he repeatedly thanked them.


Suncheon Church helped a farmer harvest clusters of sweet potatoes

On November 13, 9a.m., thirty members from Suncheon area rushed to a village nearby to help a farmer dig out sweet potatoes that were waiting to be harvested in the field of 0.3 hectare.

Sweet potatoes are the tastiest when harvested just before frost falls. So now it was the season for their harvest. Jang Hyun-seok (48), the field owner, thanked the members, saying, "Thank you for coming. It was hard for me to plow this huge field with my 70 year aged mother and my wife." His wife Kim Kye-yeon (46) smiled brightly, saying, "Two years ago, I saw the volunteers from the Church of God work elaborately in my village to restore the typhoon-damaged area. So my husband and I have asked the Church of God to help us harvest this time."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

This wasn't the first time for the members in Suncheon area to do volunteer activities at this village. Two years ago, when the typhoon Maemi keeled over the vinyl houses, the members came first and helped the restoration work wholeheartedly, spreading God's love. After harvesting the sweet potatoes, the field owner said, "Thank you very much for helping us actively like your own work. The village people envy me since you've worked very hard."


The Cheongdo Church in Gyeongsangbuk-do helped a farmer in a lettuce field

On November 13, ten members of the Church of God in Cheongdo area visited a lettuce farmhouse to help them remove unnecessary leaves which prevent the growth of lettuces and rot other leaves. It is important to remove them at the proper time.

ⓒ 2005 WATV

Inside the six vinyl houses in the field of 0.4 hectare, green lettuces have shot up like mushrooms after rain. It was pretty chilly outside due to the autumn wind, but the temperature inside the vinyl houses was rather hot and humid. Kim Joo-duk (37) the owner, welcomed the volunteers and said, "If only my wife and I work, it takes long time to remove the unnecessary leaves, and it causes a lot of difficulties on selling lettuces. Thanks for coming at the right time."

Even though it was not easy to remove the leaves, sitting between the furrows which are narrow to even step in, all the volunteers kept their smile from the beginning to the end. The owner, who watched them working without taking their eyes off their work, said, "Even though this is their first time working on it, they work better than experts. It's wonderful! Thank you very much for working as if it were your own job."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

The members set up light bulbs in the vinyl houses so that the owners could also work at night. The owners waved their hands to the members returning home after work and repeatedly said, "Thank you very much!" The members realized how joyful it is to give love than to receive. They will practice the love of God, taking care of their neighbors in need all the time.

On that day, the volunteers felt it was very pleasurable to harvest abundant fruit, and realized it was great to give love. Going back home, they all dreamed about the 144,000 good fruits, who will be brought into God's barn in the spiritual harvesting season. The members of the Church of God are spreading God's love, through their volunteer activities. As they practice the love for neighbors, they will understand the mind of God all the more and learn greater love.