Mama Randongkir is a priestess and founder of the Diakonia farmer group, whose members are church members in Kajasbo and Waderbo Villages, East Biak District, Biak Numfor Regency. She established the farmer group to raise funds for ministry activities by creating a garden. In early 2022, the Diakonia farmer group began planting, accompanied by the Bina Tani Sejahtera Foundation, to establish a garden in the church yard. The garden covers an area of approximately 1000 sqm, which is planted with various types of vegetables such as curly chilies, tomatoes, honey gourds, and various leafy vegetables.

The yields obtained from the gardens belonging to the Diakonia farmer group are very satisfying. Farmers from other groups, the local community, and the Regent of Biak Numfor were also present at the first harvest event. The total harvest obtained by the Diakonia farming group was 400 kilograms of curly chilies, 200 kilograms of honey pumpkin, 600 kilograms of tomatoes, and countless leaf vegetables. The profit obtained from this harvest reaches IDR 45,000,000, which will be used for community service purposes in the Kajasbo and Waderbo Village areas. Of course, this result is extraordinary considering that this is the first planting activity for the Diakonia farmer group.

Having a garden in the church yard with various types of vegetables is expected to generate income that will be used for the church’s ministry needs, eliminating the need of church members to struggle to raise funds. “We are very grateful. In the past, when someone died, the church members had to carry the deceased and walk to the cemetery. However, since we started gardening, we can use the money to rent a funeral car. The congregation is no longer burdened,” said Mama Randongkir.