Couple raises berries for charity in Asia

From the time the snow melts until the frost hits, Fae Bella works full-time supporting a charity in Asia.

The Bonners Ferry woman does it from her 1/3-acre patch of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry bushes on Blue Sky Road. Last year, Bella donated $4,800 from selling her berries to Gospel for Asia.

“We will try to do it again this year,” she said.

From last year’s donation, $1,000 went toward drilling a water well for tribal people, who traditionally walked 2 to 3 miles for water.

Bella and her husband, Allen, seven years ago moved to Bonners Ferry from Bend, Ore. Retired farmers, they wanted to be closer to their daughter and her family in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada. The Bellas were familiar with Bonners because they drive through town to visit their daughter.

“I wanted to go where I could grow berries and vegetables,” said Fae Bella, who turns 71 on Saturday, July 25. “We also wanted to do something of eternal value with our retirement. We’re so blessed to do this.”

The have 110 blueberry bushes, four, 60-foot rows of raspberry bushes and three, 60-foot rows and blackberry bushes. Last year’s crop was excellent, but this year doesn’t look as promising for the blackberries due to the cool March weather.

The Bellas advertise their berries with a two-week classified in The Herald and by word-of-mouth. Picking berries begins the second week of July and continues until the frost hits, which was in early October last year when all berries were sold out.

Raspberries were plentiful last week.

“We picked 26 gallons in two days,” Fae Bella said.

The Bellas have been supporting Gospel for Asia for 22 years. Two years ago, they took a 10-day trip to Asia to see their work.

The primary aim of Gospel for Asia’s ministry is to share the news of Jesus Christ with those who have never before heard His name, according to its Web site. Gospel for Asia trains and sends native missionaries who are familiar with the language and culture.

The group sends 100 percent of the money donated for work on the mission field. Nothing is taken out for administrative expenses.

For information, call the Bellas can be reached at 267-1796.