Seeds in the Storm – A Reflection from Mark 4

Dear friends,

One of Jesus’ best-known parables is the story of the sower in Mark 4. A farmer scatters seed—some falls on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. Only the good soil produces a harvest.

That parable reminds me so much of camp ministry. Every time we gather with Native youth, we are scattering seeds of God’s Word. Sometimes it feels like the ground is hard, or the thorns of worry and hardship choke out the message. Other times, kids respond quickly but struggle to stay rooted once they leave camp. But we also see moments when God’s Word lands in good soil—when a camper takes His truth to heart, and it begins to grow in ways that bless their families and communities.

The parable also teaches us that growth is God’s work, not ours. The farmer sows, but God brings the harvest. That truth encourages us when storms come, just like the one the disciples faced later in the same chapter. Even when the wind howls and the waves crash, Jesus is still in the boat with us. He is the one who calms the chaos and makes seeds grow—even when we can’t see it.

That’s why your prayers and support mean so much. You make it possible for us to keep scattering the seeds of the Gospel through Southwest Indian Ministry Camps. We don’t always see immediate results, but we trust the Sower. And year after year, we are blessed to see lives changed, families impacted, and faith taking root.

Thank you for standing with us in this work. Because of your faithful support, seeds of the Kingdom are being planted here in the Southwest—and God is bringing the harvest.

With gratitude,

Doug & Becky Darfus