Summer Story: Brokenness and Restoration

There are loads of stories that can be shared from the summer. Occasionally we use our blog to highlight some of these stories. This one comes from training and programming associate and blogger, Ben Capps. 

______________

 

 

 

 

As I exited my car and stepped foot onto Tapawingo Farms in Sault Ste Marie, MI, I was engulfed by the scent of earth, freshly cut grass and lingering campfire smoke. Immediately, I was greeted by a van full of teenagers, a small herd of chickens, several horses and one blind and deaf dog. This eclectic group would be my companions for the day.

 

Tapawingo is a Native American term meaning “place of peace,” or “place of joy.” Jessie, the founder of the farm explained to us that so many people have no tapawingo in their lives. It is the mission of the farm to provide that space for the people that need it most desperately in their lives. As she told stories of reconciliation, restoration and unconditional love, I was taken aback by the beauty and redemption that filled the words of her stories.

 

She told stories of families that had been reunited while riding horses and how the experience of working with these animals was a therapeutic one. She explained that many of the horses themselves had come from negligent owners or abusive situations. These horses were restored to health and comfort around humans and now offer the same kind of health and comfort for others.

 

She talked candidly about the brokenness that had once characterized many of the animals on the farm and the individuals that visit and how through love, care and intentionality what once was broken had been redeemed and repurposed for something beautiful.

 

YouthWorks’ theme verse for the summer is all about our own brokenness and our need for restoration:

 

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

 

Or as The Message words it:

 

“The Son of Man came to seek and RESTORE the lost.”

 

As I heard these stories and participated in some of the day-to-day chores of the farm, I began to see the narrative that was being woven through this beautiful place as mirror of my own story. I became keenly aware of my own brokenness and hopeless need for redemption.

 

The day progressed and, in the midst of hauling hay, cutting back brush and observing God’s creation, redemption leaped to life and grew legs. I saw my story running in tandem with the story of the farm – what was once broken, has been restored and repurposed for something beautiful.

 

To learn more about Tapawingo farms go to http://tapawingofarms.org/

 

 ___________________________________________________

Ben Capps blogs and helps develop training and programming materials for YouthWorks. Ben lives in South Minneapolis with his wife Bekah and daughter Margot and spends a lot of time with emerging adults. His life long goal is to rid the world of boring music, lack luster coffee and shirts that are not made of flannel.