Hope in the Garden
Some days in the garden feel victorious. Other days feel like survival.
Lately, I’ve been struggling a little emotionally watching some of the plants not make it through the dramatic swings between hot days and cold nights. On top of that, we’ve had watering issues that made things even harder. There were moments when it felt discouraging to put so much effort, love, and hope into something and still watch plants wilt.
Thankfully, those watering issues are finally getting worked out, and within the next two weeks we’ll have drip lines installed to help create a more sustainable and consistent system moving forward. The drip irrigation system was generously donated by a Basin resident, and that kindness alone has been such a reminder of the incredible community we live in. Progress sometimes looks less like perfection and more like simply refusing to quit.
This morning, while scrolling Instagram — as one does — I came across a post talking about food gardens and community resilience. One line especially stayed with me. It said that while we can’t control everything happening in the world, we can control what we do with our homes, our businesses, our churches, and our communities.
That thought made me smile.
Because that’s exactly what this garden is about.
Every day we are out there learning. Figuring out the water. Figuring out the soil. Figuring out how to protect fragile plants from Wyoming weather that seems to change its mind every few hours. We are working hard because we believe growing healthy food for the people of Basin and the surrounding communities matters.
And more than that, we believe this work honors God.
There is something deeply sacred about caring for the land, tending growing things, and using our bodies to serve others. Even in the frustration, there is purpose. Even in the setbacks, there is growth happening — sometimes in the garden, sometimes in us.
This season reminded me that faith often looks a lot like gardening. You plant before you see results. You water faithfully. You keep showing up. You trust God with what you cannot control.
And when it feels like everything might be going wrong, God is still at work.
He can move mountains.
He can bring the rain.
Or sometimes, He simply grows a potato.
Either way, there is hope.
We are so grateful for the support we’ve already received from this community. Every encouraging word, every volunteer, every prayer, every donation, and every conversation reminds us that we are not doing this alone.
Thank you for believing in this mission and growing alongside us. We look forward to continuing to work together to build something beautiful, nourishing, and hope-filled for our community.
If you haven’t come out to see and work in the garden but would like to, please call or text Mike at 661-317-2591. If you’d like to make a donation please go to our “Support Is” page—there are several different avenues through which a donation can be made there
— The Hope Reigns Community Collective Garden Team