The Art of Sowing Seeds, Cultivating Hope

On a small lot near the most sex-trafficked and drug-trafficked street in Compton, California, sits a lush garden, filled with vegetables, flowers, herbs, โ€ฆ and hope.

hope-DSum17_Compton

Compton is better known as the birthplace of the notorious street gangs the Bloods and the Crips. But since 2013, a group of Navigators have made this garden plot a source of education, job opportunity, and connection.

Navigators Bob and Susan Combs have lived and served in Compton for 20 years. โ€œItโ€™s easy to share the Gospel with someone,โ€ Susan says. โ€œBut that doesnโ€™t solve the problem of โ€˜I donโ€™t have a job, I canโ€™t provide for my family.โ€™ Itโ€™s especially hard for young men just out of prison.โ€

Their first job-creation idea was selling used cars, but the owner of an available lot wanted them to grow vegetables. Susan says, โ€œWe had no idea how to do that, but we said yes.โ€

God brought two experts into the project. Deb Walkemeyer, the Combsโ€™ pastorโ€™s wife, was pursuing a doctoral thesis on โ€œleadership development within a community garden setting.โ€ The other master gardener on their team is Dr. Sherridan Ross (pictured above, at far left). Born and raised in Compton, he is a retired neurosurgeon with a heart for his hometown. Dr. Ross was seeking approval for a community garden when he met Bob at a city council meeting.

โ€œThis is one of the most troubled streets in the city,โ€ says Dr. Ross, who joined Nav staff in 2015. โ€œOften guys will see us working and ask what we can do to bring them a little money.โ€

The Navigator team teaches young men garden construction, horticulture, and nutrition.

Bob and Susan have their eye on another plot of land a few miles away. They have a dream of creating an urban farmโ€”with an event venue. โ€œWe envision a place where local people can have their quinceaรฑeras (coming of age parties) and weddings,โ€ Susan says. Such a venture will create more jobs, more hope.

Susan says, โ€œWe care about vegetables. But we really care about people coming to know the Lord and being able to provide for themselves and have dignity. Itโ€™s about discipleship for the whole of life.โ€

Click here to find out more about I-58 Navs.

Comments:

  1. I leave in Africa, far far away from Compton, but I was captivated by the idea of sharing the gospel while teaching a life skill. Carry on Godโ€™s shepherds and may His blessings be upon you.

  2. Iโ€™ve been a teacher in Compton for over 20 years and I know the area well. I want to commend all of you for doing such good works.
    Thank you!

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