8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 1/22
12 Days of Advent [Give the Gift of Life]
[33]
December 11,2010, 13:52 PM
Over the next 12 days we will follow stories of life and hope in the developing
world. This Advent devotional is designed to be followed day by day and can be
used for your private devotional time or for churches partnering with EEN this
Advent. Our partner is Plant with Purpose [34]and chronicles their importantdevelopment work in Haiti.
Each day will build upon the last one with visuals from the field, a verse for
reflection, and a suggested action. Advent is the time to put off the old man and
put on the new man by practicing our peace, patience, kindness, self-control,
generosity, and love. Each day will end with an encouragement to support the
work of the particular partner.
Please let us know what the Lord is doing in your midst by e-mailing us [email protected] [35]. EEN offers its' special thanks to High Street
Hymns [36] who have graciously donated the music around this devotional.
[37] Add a comment | Email [38] | Print [39] Like
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 2/22
Day 1
[40]
December 12,2010, 22:25 PM
The Photo
The Story
Travel brochures depicting sparkling blue waters and swaying palm trees belie
the severe environmental degradation, corrupt governments, and deadly tropical
storms that are endemic to the Caribbean. In Haiti and theDominican Republic, widespread deforestation has led to compromised soil fertility. The land has
stopped producing, and as a result, thousands of subsistence farmers have
become dependent on revenues from cutting forest trees, locking them into a
cycle of poverty and deforestation. Plant With Purpose [41] reverses the cycle by
making environmental restoration a profitable endeavor, simultaneously
improving farmers' livelihoods and restoring the land on which they depend.
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 3/22
With the help of Plant With Purpose [42], farmers in the Caribbean haveplanted
more than three million trees"restoring watersheds, reviving watersources, and
improving health and nutrition by creating income opportunities.
Scripture for Today
Creator of the Stars of Night [43](click link and start music while you begin your
reflection)
Isaiah 2 (NIV)
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:2 In the
last days
the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 4/22
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.
The Day of the LORD
6 You, LORD, have abandonedyour people,
the descendants of Jacob.
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination like the Philistines
and embrace pagan customs.
7 Their land is full of silver and gold;
there is no end to their treasures.
Their land is full of horses;
there is no end to their chariots.
8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
9 So people will be brought low
and everyone humbled"do not forgive them.[a]
10 Go into the rocks, hide in the ground
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendor of his majesty!
11 The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled
and human pride brought low;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
12 The LORD Almighty has a day in store
for all the proud and lofty,
for all that is exalted
(and they will be humbled),
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 5/22
13 for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty,
and all the oaks of Bashan,
14 for all the towering mountains
and all the high hills,
15 for every lofty tower
and every fortified wall,
16 for every trading ship[b]
and every stately vessel.
17 The arrogance of man will be brought low
and human pride humbled;
the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
18 and the idols will totally disappear.
19 People will flee to caves in the rocks
and to holes in the ground
from the fearful presence of the LORD
and the splendor of his majesty,
when he rises to shake the earth.
20 In that day people will throw away
to the moles and bats
Reflection/Question for Today
Do we believe the Lord will do what he promises in response to injustice?
Response
Consider giving $1 to reforestation through our partner Plant with Purpose [44]
[45] Add a comment | Email [46] | Print [47] Like
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 6/22
Day 2
[48]
December 14,2010, 10:18 AM
The Picture
The Story
By Doug Satre, Director of Outreach and Development, Plant With Purpose
Recently, I returned from myfirst trip to Haiti. I confess that I went with sometrepidation. From everything I had read, very little had been accomplished in
Haiti since the earthquake; a million people still live in camps waiting for more
permanent shelter and streets are plagued by violence that the government is
powerless tostop.
We were met at the airport without incident and were shepherded by our local
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 7/22
staff into the mountains, to the region of Fonds Verettes. While not directly
impacted by the earthquake,this area saw the influx of thousands of exiles from
Port au Prince who were returning to their home villages because they had no
place else to go.
As we pulled into the village, we were met with a choir, welcome banners, and
clapping. This community had recently established a tree nursery of 15,000 trees
and described their vision to replant the denuded slopes around their village,
protecting their crops, raising their incomes, and keeping their children in
school.
In the days that followed, we worshiped in church services, visited savings
groups, and heard from dozens of farmers about what they were doing to
improve their communities. They had planted over 200,000 trees since the
earthquake and hundreds of them had been employed to build soil conservation
barriers to protect their fields and homes from the coming hurricane season. All
these activities reflect a growing sense of hopefulness in Fonds Verettes.
One person I met who really made an impact on me was a young man named
Ronald. He was one of the leaders of a farmers group of 50 men and women who
are growing thousands of trees and who are committed to transforming theircommunity. He told us, "We want to plant trees everywhere around our
community; we are dreaming of a forest! We know that if we can do this, the
young men of our community will find hope and opportunity here, rather than
having to look for work in the sugar can fields of the Dominican Republic, or
food in Port au Prince."
The next day, we drove down to Port au Prince and witnessed the devastation
that still exists there. In the midst of all the broken buildings and make shift
camps, I met another young man, about Ronald's age. He approached us to beg
for something to eat, pulling up his shirt to show me how skinny he was. As I
talked with him, I could not help but think of the contrast with the energetic and
hopeful young man, Ronald, who I had met the day before.
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 8/22
Even today as I write this, there are fresh reports in the news of the desperate
living conditions in Port au Prince. In the midst of those reports, one
recommendation was especially striking: "Donor agencies should designate
more resources for livelihoodopportunities in rural areas outside of Port-au-
Prince." That is exactly how we choose to work, creating opportunity for those in
the urban slums to live healthy lives in their home communities.
Scripture for Today
Veiled in Darkness Judah Lay [49](click link and start music as you begin your
reflection)
Isaiah 6
Isaiah's Commission
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on
a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim,
each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they
covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to oneanother:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the
temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live
among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD
Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 9/22
had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said,
"See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned
for."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will
go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
9 He said, "Go and tell this people:
"'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.[a]
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed."
11 Then I said, "For how long, Lord?"
And he answered:
"Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the LORD has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 10/22
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."
Reflection/Question for Today
Take some time to walk outside and reflect. Are you willing to do your part tofollow Jesus in caring for His creation?
Response
Consider supporting the ministry work of Plant with Purpose Haiti [50]
[51] Add a comment | Email [52] | Print [53] Like
Day 3
[54]
December 14,2010, 22:08 PM
The Picture
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 11/22
The Story
Edzer (not pictured) is a farmer from the Bwanef group who has benefitted from
Plant With Purpose's [55] soil conservation program. He has worked with Plant
With Purpose [56] since 1997, and he says that the group has helped him with a
lot of things. They have showed him how to protect his land with ramps, soil
conservation, and many other techniques, as well as how to plant trees and
create nurseries.
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 12/22
Following the January 12th earthquake, Edzer became involved in Plant With
Purpose's [57] "Cash for Work" program. With the cash he is making from this
program, he said he is able to get a bit of food to feed his family. Edzer says that
planting trees and protecting the land is the most important thing he can do
following the earthquake. Last February, he was given bean seed to plant, and by
May he was already starting to see the first harvest!
"For those who support Plant With Purpose, I want to say a big thank you,"said
Edzer. "I don't know what will happen next, but we are waiting on God and we
are thankful for all he has provided for us so far. Things could have been alot
worse for us."
Scripture for Today
In the Bleak Midwinter [58] (click link and start music as you begin your
reflection)
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the LORD's enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be destroyed. 23 The LORD makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 13/22
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.[b]
27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed[c];
the offspring of the wicked will perish.
29 The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
intent on putting them to death;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Hope in the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 14/22
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
a future awaits those who seek peace.[d]
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
there will be no future[e] for the wicked.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
Reflection/Question for the Day
What would it mean for you to be more deeply visited in the lives of the poor at
home and around the world? What steps will you commit to take?
Response
If you made a commitment take some time to think about that commitment.
[59] Add a comment | Email [60] | Print [61] Like
Day 4
[62]
December 16,2010, 07:44 AM
The Picture
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 15/22
The Story
Iloma Jean Baptiste"Since the earthquake, we have had an influx of farmers and
community members who want to join in our reforestation efforts. New
participants are asking to join our community groups because they have
seentheir friends and neighbors benefit from tree planting and soil conservation
activities. Iloma Jean Baptiste, a member of our Cheridant group since 1998, said
he has seen lots of benefits from planting trees in his own community. He said,
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 16/22
"Trees we planted, for example these trees you see behind you, we now use to
build our houses and make charcoal, and have made a good profit. We have done
soil conservation to control erosion. The soil conservation work gives us a
guarantee that we will not lose too much soil."
Scripture for Today
Isaiah 7:10-25 (NIV)
O Come O Come Emmanuel [63] (click on the link as you begin your reflection)
10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, 11 "Ask the LORD your God for a sign,
whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights."
12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test."
13 Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the
patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the
Lord himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin[b] will conceive and give birth to
a son, and[c] will call him Immanuel.[d] 15 He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, 16 for before
the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the
two kings you dread will be laid waste. 17 The LORD will bring on you and on
your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim
broke away from Judah"he will bring the king of Assyria."
Assyria, the LORD's Instrument
18 In that day the LORD will whistle for flies from the Nile delta in Egypt and for
bees from the land of Assyria. 19 They will all come and settle in the steep
ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the
water holes. 20 In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the
Euphrates River"the king of Assyria"to shave your head and private parts, and to
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 17/22
cut off your beard also. 21 In that day, a person will keep alive a young cow and
two goats. 22 And because of the abundance of the milk they give, there will be
curds to eat. All who remain in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day,
in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver
shekels,[e] there will be only briers and thorns. 24 Hunters will go there with
bow and arrow, for the land will be covered with briers and thorns. 25 As for all
the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the
briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and
where sheep run.
Question/Reflection for Today
Take some time to thank the Lord for His goodness and ask him for your daily bread today.
Response
Go out of your way to be generous today
[64] Add a comment | Email [65] | Print [66] Like
Day 5
[67]
December 17,2010, 10:28 AM
The Photo
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 18/22
The Story
"We want to plant trees everywhere around our community; we are dreaming of
a forest! We know that if we can do this, the young men of our community will
find hope and opportunity here, rather than having to look for work in the sugar
cane fields of the Dominican Republic, or for food in Port au Prince." " Ronald, a
community leaderin Fonds Verettes, Haiti -Image: "Ronald"
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 19/22
Scripture for Today
Isaiah 8:11-15 (NIV)
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly [68](click on the link as you begin your reflection)
11 This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me
not to follow the way of this people: 12 "Do not call conspiracy
everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread.14 He will be a holy place;
for both Israel and Judah he will be
a stone that causes people to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will be
a trap and a snare.
15 Many of them will stumble;they will fall and be broken,
they will be snared and captured."
Question/Reflection for Today
Why is this Isaiah passage so challenging?
Response
Go on a walk today 15 minutes or longer.
1. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=141
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 20/22
2. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
3. mailto:[email protected]
4. http://highstreethymns.com/home/
5. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
6. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
7. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
8. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
9. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
10. http://plantwithpurpose.org/donation_pages/haiti-relief
11. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
12. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
13. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
14. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
15. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
16. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
17. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=141
18. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
19. mailto:[email protected]
20. http://highstreethymns.com/home/
21. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
22. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
23. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
24. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
25. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
26. http://plantwithpurpose.org/donation_pages/haiti-relief
27. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
28. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 21/22
29. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
30. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
31. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
32. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
33. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=141
34. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
35. mailto:[email protected]
36. http://highstreethymns.com/home/
37. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php
38. javascript:Email(141)
39. javascript:Print(141)
40. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=142
41. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
42. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
43. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
44. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
45. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php
46. javascript:Email(142)
47. javascript:Print(142)
48. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=146
49. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
50. http://plantwithpurpose.org/donation_pages/haiti-relief
51. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php
52. javascript:Email(146)
53. javascript:Print(146)
54. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=149
55. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
8/3/2019 2010-12-11 12 Days of Advent | Evangelical Environmental Network Blog
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2010-12-11-12-days-of-advent-evangelical-environmental-network-blog 22/22
56. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
57. http://plantwithpurpose.org/
58. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
59. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php
60. javascript:Email(149)
61. javascript:Print(149)
62. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=151
63. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253
64. http://www.verecom.com/new-york-web-design.php
65. javascript:Email(151)
66. javascript:Print(151)
67. http://creationcare.org/view.php?id=153
68. http://highstreethymns.com/home/?page_id=253