How do we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? In this deep and delightful episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin and Riley sit down with Dale and Lisa Jost, parents of 11 and grandparents of 34. From their homestead in Southern Alberta, the Josts have built a multi-generational heritage rooted in music, fruitfulness, and the "long game" of faithfulness.

We explore the reality of raising a "statistically anomalous" large family in a culture that often views children as a burden. Dale and Lisa share how family worship and singing became their armor and their weapon—helping their children grow into productive, creative adults who are now passing the baton to the next generation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Worship as Warfare: Why the song of the Lord is a tool for the wilderness, not just a luxury for the church building.
• The Singing Family: How to teach your kids harmony (literally and spiritually) to create a bond that survives "Babylon."
• Raising Productive Arrows: How the Josts encouraged entrepreneurship and individual giftings in their 11 children.
• Finding Spouses in Exile: Honest advice for parents in isolated communities on trusting God's providence for their children’s futures.
• The "Compost" of Repentance: Why your past failures, when repented of, become the richest soil for your family’s future growth.

• 00:00 Worship as Warfare: Why King Jehoshaphat sent singers into battle.
• 02:48 The Family Altar at the Kitchen Table: Lessons from missionary John Patton.
• 10:31 The Van-Trapped Family Singers: Memorable (and hilarious) stories from the touring life.
• 12:57 The Family Economy: Why "Canaan" is built through inventiveness and hard work.
• 19:30 Spiritual Impact of Music: Why the Word of Christ must dwell in us through song.
• 30:09 Countercultural Fruitfulness: Raising 11 kids in a "below-replacement" culture.
• 41:17 First Steps for Frazzled Dads: How to start the journey of generational faithfulness today.