Preservation in Paraguay

This week my dad came to visit and we took advantage to hike at our state's only national forest reserve. As we began sharing with the caretakes, they told us that caretaker's wife was shot at last week, by poachers. Every week the rangers risk their lives to preserve the small piece of natural rain forest left in the country. They are relatively unprotected and unprovided for by the government and rely mostly on nonprofits to keep their efforts going. Here's more on the San Rafael Reserve. This European family came to Paraguay in the early seventies and have made it their life's mission to preserve God's nature here in the heart of South America. Certainly, a worthy and challenging mission in my eyes.

I'm studying Genesis right now and I'm reminded once again how one of God's first mandates to mankind was to care for and cultivate the earth. Admittedly, we are not risking our lives to care for the earth like these courageous folks at the reserve. However, the burning question that continues to molest my spirit as I see the abuse of our earth and foreigners burning down our rain forest at the astounding annual rate of 10% is this: What can I do to care for this earth that God has entrusted to me and to you?

My baby steps this week are: 1. Carrying a bag for trash to pick up trash in my neighborhood. 2. Using water sparingly 3. Planting a tree (or 5) 4. Walking instead of driving the truck 5. Using a fan instead of the AC 6. Line dry our clothes 7. Collect rain water to use for cleaning 8. Plant a garden (we are starting with a few veggies this week)

What are the ways you can care for and cultivate the earth this week?

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