A small portion of the 13-hectare property owned by my Mom and Aunt is allotted for coconut and copra production. My Dad no longer pursued the latter due to very low market prices. He decided to sell the coconuts instead as is right after harvesting.

Challenges That Farmers Go Through

The very strong typhoons that hit our province in the past years and the pandemic greatly affected the yield and the profit of coconut farmers. This made me ask the Lord what to do with any idle land that we have now. If we can’t use them for agricultural purposes, how else can we utilize them?

My siblings and I originally came up with a plan to use the farm to provide more livelihood projects in our local community. Given the situation now, however, farmers generate low income from their products due to travel restrictions. In other words, farming cannot be a reliable source of livelihood for the time being.

Seeking For God’s Guidance And Wisdom

I still can’t decipher what we can do, but I have a “tugging” that the livelihood projects will still push through in God’s perfect time. This goal can help thousands of residents from the metro who will be going to the provinces under the “Balik-Probinsya Program” of the government.

For one, they need land where they will build their homes. Second, they need to learn how to plant crops for their food while looking for livelihood opportunities. And last but not the least, sustainable projects are a must to make sure every family will experience that promise for a better life.

God’s Plans Are Better Than Our Plans

I was thinking maybe God intended our property for this purpose. What if God wanted to use our idle land to build a community, but guided by Biblical principles?

If this is a faith-based community, then first, there must be a church. Second, there must be a school that will teach all agricultural practices. Third, a mini-market for the residents’ daily needs can be set up and so on.

When my siblings and I were discussing these plans, our target is for the company to be a nonprofit organization. We never felt that God’s calling for us to utilize this property is to become millionaires. It is for the sole purpose of changing lives to a better one.

I can never be a millionaire by this world’s standards. I am not comfortable with the idea of hoarding wealth purely for self-enjoyment.

Imagine the cost of an original Louis Vuitton bag. With that amount, how many students from poor communities can you send to college on a scholarship? That $300 spent on a 30-gram bottle of caviar is enough to feed a family of 5 for 2 months.

A Christ-Centered Community As A Church

Imagine giving these families a chance to live life with meaning, purpose, and renewed hope. This is the very promise of Christianity, and sadly the false hope that is given by some politicians too.

Through Christ, the promise was already fulfilled. This will be the truest essence of being born again – a new life centered on God in a new community where they can experience God’s goodness and greatness.

Back to our end though, I know it is a very big responsibility. These may be our plans, and yet I know in the end God’s plans will prevail. And so, let His will be done always. 🙏

Still waiting for God’s instructions and His plans to unfold,