Tea, Soil, and the Soul

📍 Gia Lai Province, Central Highlands of Vietnam

Laid out in rows across the fertile hills of Gia Lai, tea plants flourish under a moderate climate and thoughtful care. The soil here is rich—like the good soil Jesus described in His parable. It receives, roots, and returns a harvest.

But growth doesn’t happen by chance. These plants are organized, pruned, and guarded—some bordered by protective trees that shield them from harsh winds, enrich the soil, and mark the land with quiet strength. Just as tea leaves steep into something calming for the body and soul, a well-nourished spirit also becomes a blessing to others.

And then—there are the hands that care for the fields. These tea hills provide meaningful work to local labourers, allowing them to earn a living and eventually reap the rewards of what they’ve nurtured. It reminds me of Boaz, who told his harvesters to leave behind wheat so that Ruth could glean and live. Work can restore dignity, provide opportunities, and pave the way for a better future.

We grow best when we’re planted in the right atmosphere: Sunday School, fellowship, Bible Study, prayer, and worship. And like Ruth in the fields, we find purpose not just in what we reap, but in who we serve.

So, whether in farming or faith, this truth remains:

🌱 Healthy roots, tended daily, lead to lasting fruit.

📖 “They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season...” — Psalm 1:3

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