January update

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Creation Care vs Enviromentalism

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 I read through this short article written by the president of Asbury Seminary. He did a great job explaining some of the differences between Creation Care and secular Environmentalism. There is plenty more to be said, but this was good. Take a read for yourself: https://asburyseminary.edu/elink/dr-timothy-tennent-environmentalism-vs-creation-care/ Below is a photo of a very mature cashew fruit tree I came across during a trip to the state of Piauí in northeastern Brazil last month. I wish my kids were with me to climb up into it! And, yes, of course I climbed up the tree even though my kids weren't present!!
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Grieving before leaving

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Maryville, where we've lived here for about six years, has become home to us. For myself, it's the longest I've lived in one place consecutively. Even growing up in Brazil, as a family we moved back to the US every four years and spent one year here before returning to Brazil.  Whether it's the Redbud tree I planted in our yard a few years ago and its amazing pinkish/purple blooms, or the variegated willows grown from cuttings from my in-laws in NY state, or the weeping willow, apple trees, mulberry,  plums, or other things I've planted, I love my yard. I love working with my hands to make something useful and beautiful. Similar to a carpenter I'd say, who takes joy in the labor, in the sweat equity put into his work. He gets to enjoy the work when it's complete. I also get to enjoy the work of my hands, be it the literal fruit that grows from it, or the shade it gives, or the scent, and beauty of flowers in spring... This has been h...
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Dry and Hot

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 I've spent two weeks traveling with the organization I'm working with. The first place was 5 hours away, the next place was another 7 hours past the first location.  There has been so much beauty in these places, and the people are wonderful to work with. I've had some good conversation with many people; speaking the language fluently has been helpful too, as nobody knows I'm not Brazilian. It's been refreshing to see people let their guard down when they talk with me, and I'm encouraged to be interacting with them and building relationship. Our purpose back in Brazil goes beyond just reforesting the land that so desperately cries for good stewardship and restoration, it is also about the silent cries for hope, for reconciliation to God that only Jesus Christ can bring.
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