MORE THAN AN ORCHARD: GOD’S KINGDOM FLOURISHES

Working among the people of Central Asia brings us immense joy. They are incredibly friendly and have a great sense of humour. At the same time, behind the friendly façade lies a great deal of brokenness: torn families, fathers working abroad, domestic violence. And ultimately, there is a lack of hope in our Saviour.

Traditional missionary work is subject to severe restrictions, but agricultural businesses are welcome. This is how SFC (Sonshine Fruit Company) came into being, working holistically among the local population and sharing God’s love through words and deeds. Through fruit growing and job creation, we are bringing about lasting change in people’s lives.

Yes, we don’t just grow fruit – we sow faith, hope and a future in a country with millions of unreached people. Through shared daily life, through listening, pitching in and honest relationships, God’s love becomes visible. In a very practical and credible way.

Time and again, we see how God uses small encounters to open hearts. We often drive to the office together with our accounting assistant, Aziz. On the way, we talk about how to be a God-fearing husband and father.

We celebrate birthdays as a team! Tractor driver Avaz received a very special gift: a fellow believer presented him with a Bible, saying that they had often talked about God – now Avaz should read and discover for himself. We pray that God will draw him and his family to Himself.

Muso, our administrative assistant, grew up in a violent home. Although he and his wife Nadine are believers, their marriage went through a serious crisis. During this time, our team was Muso’s connection to faith and offered him pastoral care and prayer. After months of separation, God led them to a marriage seminar, which brought about a deep reconciliation. Today, they work together to help other couples in similar situations.

Our cleaner Seraina lived with her parents-in-law. As the wife of the youngest son, this meant culturally being the ‘servant’ of the family – without a say in anything. With her husband often away, tensions in the crowded house, exacerbated by financial hardship, steadily increased. Finally, the conflict escalated with an ultimatum: ‘Either me, your mother, or your wife.’ In a culture where parents always come first, the decision was clear.

So that night, Seraina stood at our door, thrown out with her three daughters. We offered comfort, prayer and a place to sleep. And Seraina surprised us. Despite her young faith, she put all her hope in God. She did not flee to her family of origin, but sought protection and strength from a family in the church, in prayer and fasting.

God immediately provided her with a stable job and an affordable flat. From this place of strength, Seraina sought reconciliation with her husband. She offered him her home and prayed passionately that he would join her in faith. After many conversations and prayers, her husband now lives with her again. Contact with her in-laws is slowly improving. Seraina’s life remains a powerful testimony.

Organisational structures here are very hierarchical. The person at the top gives orders, shouts at or shames employees if they do not do exactly as they are told. As a result, many locals are afraid to take on responsibility.

At SFC, we experience how liberating a different approach can be. Employees are allowed to take on responsibility, make mistakes and learn from them. Appreciation replaces fear. The result: a team that sees itself not only as colleagues, but as family.

In 2024, a disease destroyed our apple orchard, the foundation of our work. Despite all our efforts, it was clear that we had to start over. Discouragement spread. But in prayer, God reminded us of his faithfulness. After all, he had provided us with the land, because obtaining it is nearly impossible for a foreign company.

After intensive preparation, we believed that God was calling us to take a new step: growing sour cherries. We calculated that the conversion to sour cherry cultivation would cost approximately £90,000. How were we to finance this? We felt that God was asking us to trust him. As we prepare the soil this winter, we are already experiencing God’s provision – half of the necessary funds have already been raised. We continue to trust that God will complete what he has begun.