12 Days of Advent [Give the Gift of Life]

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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 important development 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 at support@creationcare.org [35]. EEN offers its' special thanks to High Street Hymns [36] who have graciously donated the music around this devotional.
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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.

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,

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),

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]
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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 some trepidation. 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

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 their community. 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.

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-auPrince." 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 one another: "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

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

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 to follow Jesus in caring for His creation?

Response
Consider supporting the ministry work of Plant with Purpose Haiti [50]
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Day 3
[54]

December 14,2010, 22:08 PM

The Picture

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.

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.

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;

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.
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Day 4
[62]

December 16,2010, 07:44 AM

The Picture

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,

"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

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
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Day 5
[67]

December 17,2010, 10:28 AM

The Photo

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"

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

2. http://plantwithpurpose.org/ 3. mailto:support@creationcare.org 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:support@creationcare.org 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/

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:support@creationcare.org 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/

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