email article printer friendly submit a comment

"For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey” (Deuteronomy 8:7-8).

More than half of the characteristics of the “good land” are present on our property in Cyprus, near the village of Ayios Mamas—future site of the Gateways Beyond training and sending hub. There are two springs, three terraces of grapevines, a one-hundred year old fig tree still bearing good fruit, a grove of 15 olive trees that yielded over 100 liters of extra-virgin olive oil last year, and most recently, bees that are busily producing honey.

Bees are truly amazing creatures. With tens of thousands in one hive, they communicate and work together, creating delicious results.  At the beginning of spring, we purchased five hives of Buckfast hybrid bees (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_bee) and positioned them next to our organic vegetable garden.  With a couple of budding apiarists among us, we eagerly anticipate success.  These industrious insects will enrich our community in two primary ways: the production of honey—which we are told is going to be the best in Cyprus in the past 30 years; and equally as important, the pollinating of plants in the garden to enhance the harvest.

Scientists have been noticing the abrupt disappearance of bees that pollinate crops in the United States and continental Europe.  This phenomenon has been labeled Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder for more information). Most of the world’s crops depend on pollination by bees.  Albert Einstein once said that if the bees disappeared, “man would have only four years of life left.” That is the reason why CCD is a major concern. Scientists are trying to find the reason why bees are disappearing and leaving empty hives behind. The latest theory is that radiation from mobile phones is causing the havoc.  A limited study recently found that bees refuse to return to their hives when mobile phones are placed nearby. (http://environment.independent.co.uk/wildlife/article2449968.ece). The cell phone theory awaits further study.

While the reason bees are vanishing is not known, we know that a crisis exists. There is a spiritual parallel to this natural crisis. Like the bees, whose purpose is to pollinate the crops, we are to multiply the seed of the Gospel by carrying His love into the field of the nations. Jesus challenged his disciples to lift up their eyes and look at the fields which are already for harvest. As we keep our focus and eyes on “the Lord of the harvest” and work together, both those who sow and reap will rejoice in the sweet harvest of souls for Jesus (John 4:35).

email article printer friendly submit a comment