Neighbors in God's Garden

An elderly couple longed for the joy of having children around. A young mother longed for help understanding the Bible. Neither knew their neighbor, just a few miles away, could answer that longing.

Angela Moore, a single mom of four, wanted guidance from a mature Christian through Bible studies. Jenn Duffield, at 76, missed being surrounded by young people. For two years, the two women lived about two miles apart in rural eastern Oklahoma, unaware of how their paths would soon intersect.

“When we get together, it’s like family,” said Moore. “It’s like we’ve known each other for years. It has blossomed into a wonderful family friendship.”

The two families attend sister congregations—Hugo Seventh-day Adventist Church and Antlers Seventh-day Adventist Church—about 30 minutes apart. Although Antlers is closer, Moore drives to Hugo, where her faith journey began.

“I didn’t grow up in the church,” said Moore. In high school, a friend invited her to visit the Ardmore Seventh-day Adventist Church. “I absolutely loved it,” she said. Despite the lasting impression the church had made, Moore didn’t return. Nevertheless, her friend’s invitation had planted a seed.

“When the older generation considers the impact they can make on the younger generation, and when the younger generation is willing to work with the older generation, it’s a great encouragement. ”

When Moore moved to Oklahoma in 2017, a coworker asked if she attended church. Moore remembered the Ardmore church and responded, “No, but I would love to attend a Seventh-day Adventist church!”

Her coworker smiled. “Really? Because I attend a Seventh-day Adventist church!” The invitation to the coworker’s church in Hugo soon led to Moore’s baptism, though she still longed for a deeper understanding of Scripture.

At home, Bible questions multiplied. “The kids ask so many questions,” said Moore. “I didn’t always have the answers.” She asked Carlos de la Cruz, who pastors at the Hugo and Antlers churches, about Bible studies—but scheduling was difficult. That’s when he thought of Duffield.

“Would you like to receive Bible studies from one of your neighbors?” he asked. Moore eagerly agreed.

Duffield, who is a lifelong Adventist, had moved to Oklahoma in 2022. Looking around her new neighborhood, she noticed only elderly families. “Everyone on our road is elderly, and we are elderly,” she said. “I missed having young people in our lives.”

When she first met Moore, Duffield greeted her with, “I want to give my daughter-in-Christ a hug.”

“It was so warm and comforting,” said Moore. “I knew at that moment that we were going to have a beautiful friendship.”

Weekly Bible studies soon turned into afternoons spent in Duffield’s garden, meals around the table and bonds that felt like family. Moore’s children soaked up Bible lessons, life skills and the presence of a grandmother figure. They began cooking, cleaning and gardening without being asked.

“It’s really nice to hear that sweet teenage chatter that’s so innocent,” said Duffield. “They are different from other children. When you talk to them, you think, ‘Angela, the Lord was with you in bringing these children up.’”

One day, Adalyn came home talking about the parable of the sower. “I understood it more because we were touching the dirt,” she said.

That connection between Scripture and soil soon grew beyond the Duffield’s backyard. When the Antlers church purchased six-and-a-half acres of nearby land, Duffield thought, We need a community garden.

“This is a very poor community,” she explained. “We are the poorest county in Oklahoma, I believe. Everybody needs food.”

The church board agreed, and members threw themselves into the project. Soil tests came back perfect. Black tarps were spread to kill weeds. Duffield and another member brought tractors and tilled the field five times.

“When some of the church members saw me, a 76-year-old, driving a tractor and plowing a field, they decided to come out,” Duffield said with a laugh.

The congregation carefully designed a space that would be welcoming, beautiful and productive. They named it Maranatha Garden to declare their hope that Jesus is coming soon. The Moore children pitched in to till and plant, and this autumn they are seeing their first harvest.

Neighbors outside the church have also joined in—pulling weeds, helping promote the project and enjoying fresh produce. Plans are underway for food deliveries, a dedication service and gardening and cooking classes.

“There are so many people that are lonely,” said Duffield. “If this lovely family gives us so much pleasure, how many others can be found in our neighborhood? If we go without looking for converts, and just minister, that’s what the garden is all about.”

For Moore, Duffield’s impact is undeniable. “She has really been an inspiration for me,” Moore said. “I can’t tell you how the kids light up when they know she is coming over. I don’t know what we would do without Ms. Jenn. She is a very bright light.”

From this neighborly connection, two families found friendship. “When the older generation considers the impact they can make on the younger generation, and when the younger generation is willing to work with the older generation, it’s a great encouragement,” said de la Cruz. “The Lord is working. This is what we are able to do when we work together.”

By Makala James. James lives in Granbury, Texas, with her husband, Denny, and two children. The Duffields are members of the Antlers Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Moores are members of the Hugo Seventh-day Adventist Church, both in the Oklahoma Conference.