Growing bananas by faith

Posted: December 15, 2010   By: Kumar Periasamy

KOLAPUR, India – Three years ago, Arun and his wife walked into my office in India and asked if Operation Blessing could support their children’s home. I took a trip to Kolapur to see their orphanage and program which cares for about 100 boys and girls. The children were all well-mannered and this couple lived among the children, as mom and dad to all of them.

Their home had previously been supported by a U.S. organization that had to close their operations in India. Arun and his wife, however, believed that God would provide for the needs of their children and continued taking care of the boys and girls for two years without support. But it cost them and they went into debt.

We agreed to help the children’s home with monthly support and also guided Arun to strategically implement a self-supporting project where they could eventually take care of their own needs long-term.

At the beginning of 2010, Operation Blessing provided funds to grow bananas on the land at the boys’ home. Using drip system technology, Arun and the staff worked hard to plant 1,900 small trees. They also planted eggplant and chili peppers between each banana tree.

By faith, they hoped the weather would produce a great harvest, but there were heavy rains during the months of June and July. Arun explained that, “around our area we heard of banana trees being destroyed because of heavy rain, but God’s hand was over our land.” The children prayed for God’s protection over the banana plantation and sure enough, the crops survived.

I remember seeing the 1,900 small trees that were planted at the beginning of this year. Now, tall trees yielding great bananas stand in the same spot. At the end of the year, the bananas will be ready to be sold in the market. Today, Arun is debt free and he along with the staff and children are very grateful to Operation Blessing for supporting them with this special project.