Angel's trumpet, Confederate roses, Mexican petunias and yellow flag are among the more than 100 plant varieties being used to help spread the word of Jesus Christ in Africa.

The "Flowers for Bibles" interdenominational campaign is being held again this year as part of a community effort to raise enough money to purchase Bibles to be sent to Kenya and beyond.

Deloris Zeigler of St. Matthews and a group of organizers, including businesses, churches and garden clubs, will be selling yard flowers, plants and shrubs to buy Holy Bibles to send to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

"We're flying to Nairobi, and then we go out to Rongo, and we're going to additional (regions)," Zeigler said. "Some of the folks will go to the Sunni Island, and (Minister) Edna (Abraham of Christian Antioch House of Prayers) was able to go as far as Tanzania (last year).

"We're working more with the nomad tribes. So we'll be going out more into the bush. We'll go out two-and-a-half hours from our hotel each morning just to do our medical mission, Bible study and evangelism," she said.

A Flowers for Bibles spring sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds.

While donations of plants, shrubs, fertilizer or other materials will be taken throughout the sale, Zeigler said stocking and the receipt of additional donations will be taken from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 12.

"We really prepare then. It helps to get any we can ahead of time. People donate plants, pots, trees, shrubs, seeds, herbs, bulbs and their time. Thanks to previous donations, we now have over 100 different varieties of flowers in stock, and they continue to give," Zeigler said.

The proceeds from this year's effort will not only go to purchase Bibles written in both English and Swahili but also to provide for orphanage beds in Kenya.

The project raised $6,700 in 2005 and $7,000 last year. The Bibles and beds are distributed through the First Baptist Church Kenyan Mission Project.

"When the Kenyans heard about what we were doing to bring them Bibles and beds for the orphans, they said, 'Oh, we want to send back some things to them,'" said Zeigler, noting that hand-made soapstone sculptures, book markers, musical instruments and other items will be among the "gifts" used as door prizes at this year's plant sale.

"The Bibles are such an awesome gift to the people of Kenya, and they value that so very much. They're so thrilled to have a Bible in their hands, and they teach it to their children," she said, noting that people from throughout Aiken, Richland, Calhoun, Bamberg and Orangeburg counties have all contributed to the effort, including individuals in Spartanburg County who donated 90 Bengal tiger lilies.

Abraham, in whose honor the Kenyans named a church, said she is particularly pleased to be participating in this year's effort. She, Zeigler and Abraham will be traveling to Kenya, along with a mission group from Swansea First Baptist Church.

Margaret Williams of First Baptist Church of Orangeburg and Orangeburg resident and garden expert Jim Eagle have also helped with the effort, along with the Regional Medical Center's Administrative Assistant Louis Morales.

Abraham said the project allows her to fulfill God's mission to spread the gospel beyond church walls.

"I get to put legs on the commission that God gave us all," Abraham said. "It's a two-fold blessing to not only share the world of God, but to go to the mother country.

"I am proud to be used by God. We get a lot of pleasure out of this," said Williams, known for her efforts to beautify the city of Orangeburg.

Eagle, whom Zeigler said will be the "onsite resident expert" at this year's event, has written numerous garden columns for The Times and Democrat and will be selling a book containing his columns with proceeds going towards the project.

"I've been donating plants each year," Eagle said. "At my age and with the physical problems I'm having, that's 'bout all I can do. But this project is spreading the word of God, and we are badly needing it now in this age. Anything that spreads His word, helps others and enlarges the Kingdom, I'm for it."

For more information or to participate with plant or monetary donations, contact the following: Zeigler at 803-874-4113; Abraham at 803-535-0725; Mickey Wannamaker at 803-568-3961; Marlene Sturkie at 803-568-4335; Kay Hoffman at 804-568-3419; Sara Wannamaker at 803-247-5545; Queen Shuler at 803-536-9365; Dee Brown at 803-533-7556; Faye Stabler at 803-568-3774 or Ann Fletcher at 803-829-2493.

T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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