GEORGIA'S KOINONIA FARM

GIFTS WITH MEANING

“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
  I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
 I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
 I was naked and you clothed me.”
                           Matthew 25:35-36

By Doc Lawrence

Entrance to Koinonia Farm

AMERICUS, GA-These people walk the walk. It’s easy to tell others what they need to do to make the world a better place. Far more difficult is actually feeding, clothing and providing shelter for strangers unconditionally, without fanfare.

Welcome to Koinonia Farm, located on the marvelously fertile fields of rural Southwest Georgia, a short distance from the home of Jimmy Carter. Driving through the gate, a sign informs visitors that here is the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity.

Since it’s founding in the 1940’s, it has been a refuge for the lonely and oppressed. Koinonia is a place where rules are totally open-ended. Those who have suffered for whatever reasons and need security, Koinonia welcomes them with open arms and love.

My introduction was through Tom Key and Harry Chapin’s wonderful musical, Cotton Patch Gospel, based of the translations of the New Testament Gospels by Reverend Clarence Jordan, Koinonia’s founder. The inspiring performance became a road to Damascus experience that took me from Atlanta to Koinonia.

Peaceful Pecan Trees

Koinonia is the embodiment of all things sustainable and organic. Permaculture is de rigueur. Food comes from the nutrient-rich soil, the enormous aquifer and clean air. Ingredients and products that cannot grow here are sourced from like-minded entities. Their marketing and sales operation-lifeblood and very honest-is generated on site. This is pecan paradise and whether shelled, whole or made into bakery products, sales directly benefit someone in need.

Scene from "Cotton Patch Gospel."

Their mission statement says everything: “We are Christians called to live together in intentional community sharing a life of prayer, work, study, service and fellowship. We seek to embody peacemaking, sustainability, and radical sharing. While honoring people of all backgrounds and faiths, we strive to demonstrate the way of Jesus as an alternative to materialism, militarism and racism.” When the Civil Rights Movement was just cranking up, these beliefs drew shameful violence, mindless state and local government harassment and merchant boycotts.

The men, women and children of Koinonia never surrendered to evil.

My holiday gifts to friends and family include the cakes, pecans, condiments and even the books sold by Koinonia Farms.

Peruse their online catalog and you’ll find a meaningful gift.
www.koinoniafarms.org; (877) 738.1714

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