CFOT.ca

Living in a rural community that has a strong agricultural base has certainly led to many blessings here at the Portage La Prairie Corps & Community Services.  On October 3, the corps held its annual harvest sale. A couple weeks prior to the sale, Graciela and I were busy sending letters to local farmers and Hutterite colonies that had been faithful supporters of the sale in years past. As the week of the sale approached, we had not heard back from any of the farmers and I was beginning to get discouraged and think that the harvest sale would be a flop. We returned to Portage from CFOT classes in Winnipeg and began making a few follow up phone calls. Pick ups were scheduled, yet I still wondered if we would receive enough product to make this sale successful.

But then the fresh local produce began to pour in. Everything from beets, onions, carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower and green peppers to four kinds of squash began to fill and over flow our corps gym. So much so, that we were left with an abundance following that sale that we could use in our food bank and bless others that could use a helping hand. The Harvest Sale raised just over $1,600 and the ladies bake sale table brought in $140 to support Women’s Ministries at the corps. This was one of the best sales in recent corps history!

Then, just last Wednesday afternoon, I had a gentleman come into the corps and say that he wanted to donate literally tons of potatoes. As we chatted, we decided that a “Great Potato Give Away” would be the event to have. With assistance from the local radio and newspaper, the word spread quickly to the community. Come Saturday, a big truck holding about 30,000 pounds of potatoes pulled into the corps parking lot. Many came with their bags, boxes and crates to take advantage of free potatoes. This was a great day where we not only gave away a free product but where we met new folks and made further connections within our community.

This harvest season has been a reminder that if we are faithful to Him, the Lord will bring the harvest home.

Jeff and his wife, Graciela Arkell are cadets serving as the Corps Leaders in Portage La Prairie as part of their training in the field as Salvation Army Officers.