The Farmer attended the Greenfields Church
Andrew was a pastor for several years in Central Otago. He vividly remembers Doug, a widely respected local farmer, who never crossed the door of his church. In his mid 40s, tanned, strong and energetic, Doug lived for farm and family.His beloved only child, Anne was the son he never had. She stacked the hay, sheared sheep, drove the tractor and directed the sheep dogs with a piercing whistle.
Anne married Mark and in time they had a son they named Joel. Life seemed complete until one beautiful Central Otago summer day, Anne suddenly and peacefully died from a massive brain aneurism.
Andrew took the funeral service and tried to hold the tears back as he watched little four-year old Joel, walking out of the church behind the casket of his mother.
Doug receives the news
One day Andrew was at the supermarket and met a relative of Doug's. "Have you heard the news?""No, what news?" he replied.
"Doug's been having tests and has been diagnosed with very advanced cancer. The doctors can't do anything, no operation, no treatment, just pain relief. It's only a matter of time."
"Does he want to see me?" "You know Doug, Andrew, he's not going to ask, but I'm sure he would love to see you."
Andrew in some trepidation put in a call to Doug. "Yeah, you can come around, but leave God at home."
Fortunately, Andrew arrived to find that Doug was actually glad to see him. "How are you Doug?"
Fighting spirit
"The report isn't good Andrew, but I'm going to beat the bugger! I'm going to fight it every step of the way."Some days, Doug appeared to be doing well. On the other days, it was increasingly clear that he was losing the battle.
One day, Andrew asked him if he had ever been to church. "Oh, yes, Andrew, I attend the Greenfields Church."
Greenfield Church?
Andrew tried to think of where that church might be in the district. Doug's eyes sparkled and he grinned: "Got ya!"
Andrew banged his head, how could have missed it? Farmers go to church every day. They work God's garden. Doug was telling me that "church" is not his place to be close to God, but on the farm working with the seasons as they come and go. The storms, droughts, spring rains, summer and autumn harvests, the spectacular backdrop of the Southern Alps in the distance, blue sky and green grass. This was Greenfields Church.
The next week, Andrew arrived to be met by Anne's husband Mark, who was caring for his father in law. "Doug is not all good. He's had a bad few days and is very week."
Doug was now confined to his bed and hooked up to a morphine pump. The difference in one week shocked Andrew as he saw a strong man now withered and drawn. The cancer was literally eating him up ? and fast.
Andrew waited until Doug slowly turned his head towards him and whispered: "I'm beaten Andrew, the bugger has got me."
"Doug," Andrew replied, "I've been thinking a lot about Greenfields Church, like who makes the grass to grow, the rain to fall and the sun to shine- and who is The Shepherd of the sheep?"
Doug squeezed his hand: "I know." Then he mustered all his strength and said: "You'll take care of everything for me, won't you Andrew?
"What do you want me to do?
"You'll know", he said faintly, and dropped his head back on the pillow.
Requiem
As Andrew left, Mark handed him a CD "The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection"."This was Doug's favourite, he told me he wants you to play track 14 at the funeral."
Doug died early the next morning and later at the packed funeral, Andrew had track 14 "Requiem" played as Dog requested. The Latin words of "Pie Jesu" were translated:
"Merciful Jesus, who takest away the sins of the world
Grant them rest.
O Lamb of God who takest away the sins of the world
Grant them eternal rest."