God Landscapes a “Sod” Story
by Jennifer Lloyd
In a strategic meeting of the Jenness Park Christian Camp staff on April 23, 2010, Director Rod Goodmon
shared his vision of having the Jenness Park playing field green with lush, inviting grass. The staff
listened and discussed the possibility and likelihood of funding and completing a project of that
magnitude in light of the other projects vital to the operation of the Jenness Park facility. Unknown to
the staff, God, the master landscaper, was working to make the “Field of Dreams” a reality.
Toward the end of the month of April, Guest Services Manager, Barry Lloyd, was chaSng about the goals
of Jenness Park with friends Steve Moeller and Gary Bundgard. Lloyd mentioned two summer needs.
The first was a covering for the outdoor amphitheater. The second was turning the field from a dirt/
grass meadow into a safe, beautiful playing field for the various churches this summer.
Steve Moeller, an almond farmer, was able to fulfill Lloyd's first goal of having a shade for the outdoor
amphitheater. Moeller had recently purchased a canvas covered trailer with which to haul his almonds.
Since almonds are heavy, Moeller did not have the need for a covering. He gladly donated the four, 8-
foot by 22 –foot tarps which Lloyd will use to cover the amphitheater seating area. This outdoor arena
will be used for campfire meetings and chapel services.
Mr. Bundgard, the owner of Gary's Rent-a-Can in Hilmar, CA, joined in the conversation and inquired
about the plans for the field. Within weeks Bundgard, who is very passionate about the long-term,
spiritual impact of Christian camping, contacted Lloyd with great news. Bungdard informed Lloyd that he
had met with a sod farmer and negotiated a deal with West Coast Turf in Stevinson, CA. The sod
company would donate a third of the sod if Jenness Park would purchase two-thirds of the necessary
grass at fraction of the actual cost. Bundgard also arranged for a driver, Joe Silveria, from Peterson
Farms in Hilmar, CA, to deliver a load of humus with which to prepare the ground to receive the sod. The humus was donated by dairy organization Jim Ahlem Farms in Hilmar, CA. Finally, Bundgard was able to
connect Lloyd with Ricardo Herrera, a man interested in volunteering his own and his fellow church
friends' time to lay the sod in exchange for an opportunity to have a retreat at Jenness Park.
Herrera, a member of Primera Iglesia Nazarena (First Nazarene Church) in Turlock, had previously met
with his men's ministry group in hopes of having a men's retreat. In light of this year's economy, the
men's ministry group was despondent about the chances of being able to afford a retreat in the fall.
When Herrera heard about the possibility of trading work time for a retreat, he jumped at the chance to
help share the Word of God with men from his church and community. Herrera brought a group of 7
others to lay the sod at Jenness Park. From the dedicated effort of these men, other men will hear the
good news of Jesus Christ.
In a very short time, God worked a landscaping blessing. Jenness Park received donations of humus,
equipment, and labor. Volunteers planted over 30,000 square feet of sod in three days for the Jenness
Park playing field. Additionally, the planting of the sod will lead to spiritual growth in the hearts of others
who will hear the the Word of God at a retreat yet to come. |
