Geniet God se skeppingswerke - Omgee
Dis alweer tyd om met julle te gesels oor die Here en Sy grootse skeppingswerke.
Soos dit so mooi deur die Psalmdigter verwoord word :
“Mag mense die Here altyd bewonder! Mag die Here alles wat hy gemaak het, geniet! Die Here is so sterk.” Ps. 104:31
“Die Here doen baie groot dinge, dit laat jou klein voel. Elkeen wat opgewonde is oor wat Hy doen, sal aanmekaar daarvan praat en dink.” Ps. 111:2
Dit is presies wat ek hier doen – ons kan omtrent nie ophou om bly te wees oor die werke van die Here nie. Dis nie alleen ‘n vreugde vir Hom nie, maar ook vir ons – Sy kinders en verteenwoordigers hier op aarde.
Dit gaan steeds voor die wind met Die Strand NGK as eko-gemeente. Ons aardesorg-bediening het al ‘n paar keer deelgeneem aan ‘n strandskoonmaak wat elke eerste Saterdag van die maand plaasvind. Julle sou miskien ook oor die nuus gehoor van ons Lourensrivier wat oor sy walle gestroom en veroorsaak het dat ‘n hospitaal en woonwakamp groot skade opgedoen het met ‘n Swart Suidooster. Dit was weereens wonderlik om te sien hoe die Kerk dadelik by was en leiding geneem het. Daar was firmas wat mildelik bygedra het sodat hulpverlening verantwoordelik en ordelik kon plaasvind.
Ons grootste suksesverhaal is die meer as 1000 kg (1 ton) herwinbare papier, karton, blikkies en plastiese bottels wat deur Wasteplan by ons kerkgebou opgetel is. Met ons weeklikse plaasmark – waaraan byna 100 mense werk en deur meer as 200 mense weekliks bygewoon word – het ons ‘n nabye en getroue bron van materiaal. Ons kon dit in 3 weke bymekaar maak, deels sorteer en in weegbare sakke plaas. Gevolglik kon ons ‘n betaling ten bate van ons sendeling in die Limpopo-provinsie maak, sonder dat dit enige lidmaat ‘n sent kos en met groot voordeel dat daardie ton sg. afvalmateriaal nie in die see of op die ashoop beland nie.
Ek is seker God glimlag oor hierdie klein bydrae tot behoud van Sy skepping.
O ja, amper vergeet ek: daar was toe 7 van die 30 kinders wat hul Safcei-prente, “Gelowiges sorg vir die Skepping,” pragtig ingekleur het. Die keuse van ‘n wenner was moeilik, maar elkeen het dit geniet en is aangespoor om ook self kleur aan die wêreld om hulle te gee.
Wil julle asseblief ook nou maar besluit om in 2014 ‘n eko-gemeente te word? DIT WERK! Asseblief, neem die stap. Registreer by SAFCEI deur ‘n e-pos te stuur aan secretary@safcei.org.za. Ons ondervinding is dat dit werklik sielsverrykend en opwindend is om so – deur jou hande vuil te maak – die Here te dien.
Voorspoedige ekologiese 2014!
The time has come to talk to you about our Creator God and his abundant Creation again.
The poets in Psalms 104 and 111 agree with me wholeheartedly:
Ps 104:31 “The glory of God-let it last forever! Let God enjoy his creation!”
Ps 111: 2 “Gods works are so great, worth a lifetime of study - Endless enjoyment!”
Together with God we can keep enjoying the works He created. Yes, besides God enjoying His creation, we as his children and his representatives on earth, can do the same.
To report back on our early progress as an eco-congregation in Strand, I can mention that we have taken part in a few beach clean-up operations. This happens every first Saturday of the month.
You also probably heard in the news about the Lourens River (in whose health we have an interest) that flooded its banks during a Black Southeaster. Considerable damage was suffered by a local hospital and caravan park. It was wonderful to see how the Church took the lead in assisting homeless people that lost their meager belongings. Various local firms donated goods that the church distributed.
The best story in our eco-congregation’s short history, is that Wasteplan picked up 1015 kg of recyclable material, providing us with funds to finance our missionary in Limpopo Province. We collected paper, cardboard, tins and plastic bottles. Fortunately some of our church members host a farmers’ market every Friday, which contributes recyclable material to our project. After all, the whole process is just a good habit and it doesn’t cost a cent to those that give. Most importantly, a ton of so called rubbish did not end up in the sea or on a rubbish dump!
I am sure God smiles down on us, seeing our little contribution to help maintain His creation.
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the result of the colouring competition: Eventually 7 of the 30 children submitted a multi-colour version of the SAFCEI picture, “Believers take care of the earth.” It was difficult to choose a winner, but in the end they all enjoyed it and were encouraged to colour-in the world around them.
I plead with you to take the important step to become an eco-congregation in 2014? IT WORKS! Please register with the secretary@safcei.org.za. Our experience is that it enriches your life – it is exciting to serve the Lord by doing something physical.
I wish you a prosperous ecological 2014!