The Columban house in Myitkyina, Kachin state, Myanmar (formerly Burma), is in the compound of Eden. It is surrounded by bamboo and various types of trees that are more than enough to shelter the different kinds of animals, including birds, snakes, bees, etc. There is also space for growing flowers and vegetables.
Since planting is not new to me, and because of high inflation in Myanmar, I use my free time in the morning to cultivate the soil to prepare it for planting any available vegetable seeds. I have planted Lady fingers, chilis, roselle and mustard. I also tried to plant radish and carrots, but they did not thrive.
I need to have more patience growing seeds. Some grow too quickly, but some grow a bit slower. When they are fully grown, they need extra care because they are still vulnerable. I have to water them every day and protect them from extreme weather conditions and predators, like snails and birds. Most of the time, their soft , tiny and young stalks can bend easily, which is the reason why I have to put some support for them to grow straight. After a few months of caring, they will be bearing fruit and soon ready to be harvested.
I believe that there are similarities between planting and teaching. As I teach the young fellows, I feel like I am cultivating innocent minds in order for the seeds of learning to grow and bear fruit. I also realized that my students are akin to the plants— vulnerable and needing extra care and guidance.
After a few months of caring, they will be bearing fruit, and soon ready to be harvested.
I have to be really patient in pushing them to keep on learning, especially the slow learners. I do believe that once I provide them with the necessary schooling and skills, they can face the real battle in life with courage and confidence.
There can also be challenges in caring for the young learners. If plants need to face the extreme weather conditions in their early days of growth, these young learners have to face extreme poverty and disconcerting social issues that are threatening their security and making their future dimmer.
The ongoing political and economic crisis is alarming. However, despite all these challenges, their eagerness to learn and their indomitable spirit to pursue their ambition in life are quite admirable. I see them cultivating their own pathway towards success in life little by little, day by day, as they continue their studies with determination and diligence.
For me, the real joy in nurturing the innocent minds is when I see them trying their best and never wanting to stop learning, no matter what kind of weather they have to go through each day. With this unrelenting spirit, I do believe that they have nurtured me, too.
Columban lay missionary Michael Javier lives and works in Myanmar.
