• About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Green Card/Citizenship
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • Trainings
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate
Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries
office@arriveministries.org 612-798-4332
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Green Card/Citizenship
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • Trainings
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate

Bhutanese Refugees Find Solace at St. Paul Church Garden

July 25, 2019

Bhutanese Gardeners Enjoy Refugee Church Garden Program

Before any soil was tilled. With just stakes in the ground. Community members ran to what would soon become a garden on the grounds of Mosaic Christian Community in St. Paul, to claim their spaces.

“Their smiles and enthusiasm were amazing,” said Pastor Jeff O’Rourke, Mosaic Christian Community.

Many of these Bhutanese refugees who resettled in east St. Paul, haven’t gardened in decades. Land hadn’t been made available to these displaced people since before they spent decades waiting in a refugee camp, and before their journey to America.

[pullquote style=”left” quote=”dark”]“Gardening is very important to my mom, she grew up on a farm in Bhutan, and spend the first 35 years of her life gardening[/pullquote]“Gardening is very important to my mom, she grew up on a farm in Bhutan, and spend the first 35 years of her life gardening. But she didn’t have land to work with at the refugee camp in Nepal, nor at her apartment complex in St. Paul, MN,” said Durga about her mom Ran Gurung.

These days Ran Gurung has two plots of land – one of which is at Mosaic Christian Community, which has been a part of Arrive Ministries’ Church Refugee Gardens for five years.

“My mom has arthritis, but she still enjoys her time at the garden, so my dad and I take her 2-3 times a week to water and to weed,” said Durga.

In addition to saving money not having to buy groceries, Ran Gurung can grow the produce that tastes best in Bhutanese cuisine.

[pullquote style=”right” quote=”dark”]The reward are huge as far as connecting to families, building relationships, and breathing new life into our church[/pullquote]“We grow chilies, pumpkins, ladyfingers, beans, onions and spinach. My mom grows the food that she most enjoys cooking with,” said Durga.

“The last 2 years, we’ve had a great relationship with 5 or 6 Bhutanese families in the neighborhood who garden with us. The reward are huge as far as connecting to families, building relationships, and breathing new life into our church,” said Pastor Jeff.

“My mom loves gardening and it is very important to her. We are thankful that the church allows us to garden on their land,” said Durga.

 

[message type=”custom” width=”100%” start_color=”#389db5″ end_color=”#389db5″ border=”#389db5″ color=”#ffffff” align=”left” class=””]Arrive Ministries’ Church Refugee Gardens Program seeks to build friendships between churches and refugees through gardening. This is an opportunity to get to know new neighbors living in your neighborhood and to assist them in getting familiar with American culture. The Church Refugee Gardens provide refugees with a connection to their past and to their future while helping them put fresh food on their tables. Learn about the Church Refugee Gardens here[/message]

Related Posts

Stories

Kateryna’s Brave Journey Escaping Ukraine

May 22, 2023 By Kate Shermer
St. Cloud, Stories

A Warm Welcome in Frozen April

May 3, 2023 By Kate Shermer
Employment, Stories

Former Clients, Now Coworkers Form Unique Bond

April 4, 2023 By Kate Shermer

Stay Connected

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Arrive Ministries, 1515 E. 66th St., Richfield, MN, 55423, http://arriveministries.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Connect with us:

Arrive Ministries is a refugee resettlement agency providing essential services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants to advance self-sufficiency. We mobilize volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to extend love and friendship to our new neighbors to promote thriving in a new homeland.

About Us

Contact Info

1515 East 66th Street, Richfield MN 55423

612-798-4332

office@arriveministries.org

Who We Are

Immigrant Services

Volunteer

Community Support

Donate

Copyright © 2023 • All Rights Reserved  • Powered by Malley Design

Your Cart (0)

Your cart is empty Continue Shopping

Sign in