As I, Mark, was talking to a farmer once about the fate of his 1940’s granary, he explained that plans had been made to burn and bury it. It was in the way, and more space was needed. A friend of mine who tore down old structures for a living was kind enough to make the long trip with me to see the barn. Once looking it over, he confided that this particular structure was only a 3 (out of 10) and not worth coming back for.
I was disappointed. I thought there were many unique pieces in the barn that held value. Besides that, I had already promised to tear it down and haul it off!
As I descended from the desecrated top, down a narrow, muddy shaft, I heard from the Lord, clear as day. He showed me how many people were on their way to a fire, just like this barn was. Because they were offensive no one would pick them up.
So, with the help of a great friend, we tore the barn down piece by piece.
The trusses of that barn made what is known as the “river table.” It has been featured in three publications. It is located in a pretzel shop in Goshen, IN.
Reclamation is not just what we do professionally; it's who we are. There is something attractive about the down and outer, who is overlooked and discounted continually, but who will hustle and toil until they are an over comer. They are diamonds in the rough. While human value is intrinsic, many are lost among the busy masses and unconsidered. They are the poor in spirit, the meek and the mourning. We believe the greatest thing on earth is the reclamation of people. We believe that our work and our product here at Cherry Pickers is a prophetic image and reflection of what God is also doing in people.