Teen Harvest

Due to the nature of this ministry there will be very minimal pictures published here. 

After spending the night at truck stop somewhere in southern Indiana we arrived at Teen Harvest (Link)  in Ava, Missouri just in time for lunch. Pastor Paul  Neighbour (Executive Director) met us at the driveway and ushered into the group home to find 6 boys of varying ages scurrying around in the kitchen getting dishes, silverware and glasses ready for the meal. In the center of all this flurry of activity was Linda Neighbour (wife and teacher) also busy preparing the food for lunch. We were pleasantly surprised as we sat down to eat when one of the youth asked if he could do the blessing for the food.

 

Welcoming arc for the Ministry says it all

 

After a sumptuous meal, Pastor Paul showed us the grounds and talked about the need to do certain tasks before one of the Cabins could be put on "operational" status. That was an invite I could not resist and simply said "lets get'er done" 😃 ! We had a good chuckle as we ran out to get tools and supplies and dove right into it. Pastor Paul put in the water and sewer lines to the cabin while I tackled some electrical work. Carol had been left at the home to help Linda prepare and mask the huge recreational room for painting.

 

Before we knew it we were being called back to the home for dinner - time does fly when you are having fun.  Another delicious meal devoured - literally - I had forgotten how much food young boys can eat!! We called it an early night as we excused ourselves to head out towards the RV.

 

Teen Harvest had originally started in the state of Washington in the mid 70's and has since moved to Ava, Missouri about 15 years ago to be able to have enough land to expand the ministry and cast the long term vision. There have been quite a number of boys that have entered the Ministry's program and have graduated as outstanding young men with the proper training and tools to take on the world.  Some have even become prominent figures in and around the country.

 

Saturday was spent putting on the final touches to Cabin 9 while we transferred all our tools and supplies into Cabin 10. Almost the same tasks with a little bit of counter top cutting and electrical layout. There currently are 6 cabins completed with one being an ADA compliant cabin; another 6 foundations were already set up by Warren and Lori Yates, volunteers for Hard Hats 4 Christ, for the next phase of construction. These cabins are made to look rustic but  have all the modern day conveniences and amenities, hot and cold running water, air conditioning and heat, really comfy queen and bunk beds, it even has a coffee brewer to start the day right. 

 

 

 

Rustic but comfortable

 

After attending Sunday service we all climbed in the van for lunch at Lambert's Café in Springfield, the "throwd hot buns" restaurant. They actually throw you home made hot buns from the center of the floor and you are supposed to catch it (some don't) dab on the butter and drip sorghum molasses on it. Sides of fried ochre, onions with fried potatoes and black-eyed beans are heaped up constantly on a paper napkin you put on your table, food was pure southern cuisine down to the really sweet tea.

 

 

 

Sumptuous meals served in a pan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The afternoon would not be complete without visiting the Bass Pro Headquarters in Springfield, we all had a ball as we wondered around this humongous store that caters to all ages, from infants (camo bibs) to grampa willow canes and everyone in between.

 

Turtles all huddled in one of many water attractions

 

Pastor Paul, Linda and myself are trying out the camo recliners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor Paul and Linda have an abundance of stories to tell about how our Lord constantly and unceasingly brought forth and supplied the ministry's material , financial and spiritual needs (I will await patiently for the book to be published). I firmly believe that these were true modern day miracles, being made aware of the circumstances surrounding the event, only God could have orchestrated the fantastic outcome. I still get goose bumps as I recall the time of fellowship we had together while working as he relates so many incidents that has God intervening in ways unfathomable only for His glory to be manifested. The vision has been cast  in Ava, MO - we now wait patiently for God's perfect timing to reveal itself. The legacy of Teen Harvest being "father to the fatherless" continues to grow.

 

We were full of emotion as we said our goodbyes to Pastor Paul, Linda and the boys, in our few short days working and living alongside these boys, how can you not grow fond of these young men who have the zest of life overflowing, are full of laughter and display honest care for each other as they went about their daily chores, did schoolwork and even showed their musical talents when we sat in on the bands practice session. Pastor Paul and Linda through their tireless patience and deep love for God have successfully brought these young men out of their otherwise gloomy past to a place where they are today, a place of peace where there is honest HOPE only attained by having God in their hearts that brings a life full of promise. We pray for the Ministry and those involved in it to have sustained wisdom to know God's will, discernment to recognize His voice, courage to face the enemy, strength to continue the battle and good health.

 

Continued blessing to all