Working on a farm; how hard can it be? Sleeping under the trees, enjoying the fresh air… right? Little did I know! Coming from the city, I had no idea what it really meant to help with a harvest or how fast farmers actually work. This week was full of hard work, unexpected moments, and amazing relationships.

Firstly, work on the farm showed me how important the harvest season really is. If farmers do not go out and collect the harvest, the entire year’s effort would have been in vain. When I was at the farm we collected Nastergal berries from the ladies in the fields, and by the end of the day we were completely covered with purple Nastergal juice and dirt. I have never been so dirty in my life! However, it was a good reminder that my confidence should not be in my appearance, but in God. I even helped paint the floor of the jammery, which was a completely new experience for me. Seeing how much effort goes into harvesting and processing the fruit gave me a lot more insight about the work that happens behind the scenes.

Another moment that stood out while collecting Nastergal berries was when we had to ask the ladies to remove the purple berries from the black ones. Some people were happy to remove it while others became offended. I learned that confrontation simply points out specific areas that need to be fixed. In the same way, when the Lord corrects something in my life, it does not mean everything that I have ever done is wrong. It just means that the specific area needs attention and correction. 

Additionally, on the way to the farm, someone said something that stuck with me: when we live from performance, the bar is always shifting. You prove yourself in one place, and then you have to prove yourself again somewhere else. It made me think about how often I try to compete instead of completing the task God has given me. God calls us to complete, not compete, and unity is stronger than trying to do everything alone. He qualifies us, not each other, and our worth is not based on comparison. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says, “Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Working together and supporting each other is always better than trying to outperform everyone else, and that became really clear during the week.

Furthermore, the relationships during this time were one of the best parts. All the girls slept in one room on swags, which made the experience great. There was always someone talking, laughing, or telling stories into the night. In the evenings people would play the piano or other instruments, and this brought me so much joy. Interestingly, after I came back from the farm I even started learning piano myself, which shows how my life has changed after being there. The time spent together, sharing stories, music, and the Word of God made the week really special and created a shift in me.

Lastly, there were many small things I enjoyed during the week. Seeing the Milky Way clearly at night, going on morning runs to watch the sunrise, and sitting around the dining table with everyone after long days of work were all highlights. I also discovered that cooking is definitely not one of my skills, so I happily focused on setting the dining table instead; probably the wiser choice for everyone!

Overall, serving the du Toit family was such a blessing. It showed me how much work goes into a harvest, but it also created space to build relationships and learn about Biblical principles in a practical way. I am so grateful to God for the opportunity I had to serve them.