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Mission Moments: Polk Training Center

By: Steve Negley

Posted: November 20, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Daily Devotion Focusing on the Missions Supported by First Pres

Genesis 2:15

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.

The Polk Training Center operates a retail plant nursery as a non-profit ministry for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The center’s retail plant nursery is open to the public year-round, featuring a wide variety of Florida Friendly plants and Florida Native for zone 9. Their philosophy is person first, disability second. The 18 students help with plants and facilities operations. There are classes to help the students become as independent as possible. Polk Training Center receives support from organizations such as the First Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Fund for Local Benevolences. They also hold fundraisers and plant sales. (PLANT SALES ARE A BIG PART OF THEIR SUPPORT. OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BUT HAVE A SUPPLY OF ANNUALS, PERRENIALS, AND SHRUBS.) They request prayers to make the most of what they have, reach out to the community and reach more students.

Prayer

God, as we find worth in our work, we pray for the students and teachers at the Polk Training Center. Give them a sense of joy as they make this world a more beautiful place through their care for things that grow in Your creation. Amen.