We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

Jeff Button, member of Luther Memorial Chapel, shares his love of gardening with UWM’s international families. Here he and his granddaughters are with Siran at the garden plot. Siran is attending catechism classes at Luther Memorial.

The International Student Ministry (ISM), Milwaukee, began a new project with the internationals attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) this summer. The Button family, members of Luther Memorial Chapel, offered to teach them how to garden in Wisconsin. Five ladies visited Jeff Button’s garden plot to decide if it was a project they would like to participate in. Two families expressed an interest. Jeff showed the ladies how to clear the plot and what types of vegetables would grow in our climate. Jeff often drove to pick up the internationals to take them to the garden. They had a rocky start when the seedlings were over watered and had to be replanted, but the garden soon began to grow vegetables.

The families often had opportunities to interact with the Button’s children and grandchildren. Their conversations helped the families learn about each other’s cultures. Jeff’s family invited the Fang family to teach them how to make Chinese dumplings. One Friday evening they came to the Button home with the supplies and the two families made dumplings and enjoyed a wonderful meal together.

As the vegetables ripened, they were picked from the garden and shared. But more than the harvest of vegetables from the garden was the harvest of friendship as the families shared their love and their cultures with each other. These friendships helped the international families see the love of God and have encouraged them in their continued study of the Word.

The ISM, which is located at Luther Memorial Chapel, 3833 N. Maryland Ave., Shorewood, is always looking for different ways for families to share their talents and skills with the internationals attending UWM. These friendships provide opportunities to build relationships and create interest and curiosity in the hearts of the internationals to learn why we serve others. This curiosity leads them to God’s Word. If you have some hobby or talent that you would like to share with others, be sure to contact Bessie Fick with your idea. Bessie can be reached by email, bessie.fick@yahoo.com, or you may call her at 414-477-9448.