Volume 25, Issue 1 Mar. 1 4, 2011 GleaningsGleanings from Creation Ontario’s Journal of Outdoor Christian Environmental Education Published by Fair Glen Outdoor Christian Education Centre

TheThe RealReal VersionVersion

Basic Survival

When I think of the basic components of life in taking OCE students outdoors in God’s creation, I think of the key ele- ments of: Shelter, Water, Fire and Food. Having just re- turned from a mission trip with PAN Missions in , my eyes were opened to the basics of survival first hand. It is a different challenge for a family with children to ago- nize through every day of their lives than that of Survivor- man! Speaking through our interpreter Henry to a family at their home made from tree poles and dump-salvaged rusty steel roofing caused me to rethink priorities and needs. We were only able to extend to them encour- agement to join ‘el pastor’ at the struggling barrio Family Home in rural barrio near Tipitapei, Nicaragua (neighbourhood) church and to give a bag of clothing, shoes and toys to each family along with a bag of beans and rice. SeekingSeeking WonderWonder

Managua’s garbage pickers or green recyclers? When was the last time you felt wonder at God’s crea- tion? Is it too difficult to recall the last time something In Nicaragua, 19% of the population is undernourished and took your breath away and made you realize how small this country ranks 25th out of 39 undernourishment ranked you are compared to an awesome Creator? countries.1 Wonder is experienced when we see within the ordinary moments of our day glimpses of glory, and in Nicaragua has a tough history beginning with the Mana- the extraordinary moments we receive affirmation of a guan earthquake of 1972 to the violent revolution and civil war ending in 1991. A whole generation has known noth- God who is an awesome Creator. In other words, the ing but struggle for survival. person who lives a wonder-filled life experiences God.

Cont’d on pg. 2 Cont’d on pg. 3

A part of Fair Havens Ministries; B2215 Hwy 48 E, Beaverton, ON www.fairhavens.org [email protected] Survivor:The Real Version (cont’d) Vinod Shetty, founder of the NGO “Acorn India”, proves that rag pickers are the main players in recy- Many street entrepreneurs sell their wares or bread at cling of the former Bombay’s daily output of 10,000 stoplights, roadsides or in markets. Others collect tons of . He says, “Since rag pickers don't use trash for a living. We saw one boy collecting pop cans the A/C, nor drink mineral water [or pop], nor drive to be taken in for metal. When we offered him SUVs, the environmental problem is ours, not theirs. I one of our sandwiches, he inhaled it ravenously. His want to protect their livelihood. Instead of burning eyes never ceased scanning the local square for dis- waste we can start taking things to recyclers, with rag carded cans. pickers leading the way.”5

Our problems at home

The United States comprises about 5% of the world’s population and is the leader in trash production at 2 kg/day of trash per person.6 In contrast, Mumbai, In- dia, with 14 million people creates 0.64 kg/day waste per person and Canadians are in between. What this means is that just 5% of the world’s population pro- duces about 40% of the world’s waste.

Despite good intentions, North America hasn’t quite hit the mark. In 2009, Durham Region diverted 52% of Stream through Managua, Nicaragua its waste from through , composting 7 The La Chureca community which means ‘trash can’ in and reuse, but has a target of 70% diversion! Toronto Managuan slang, is situated on the Western fringe of with the same goal, only diverted 44% of residential 8 Managua. At least 220 families live in this open pit waste. dump, the largest in Central America (7 km2) 12 m deep in gargbage. The common family occupation is Educating for solutions scavenging for recyclable materials to re-sell. In past Effective January 2011, the City of Toronto started trips, our daughter Emily and the team were able to shipping garbage to the 130 ha. Green Lane Landfill drive in and deliver bottled water and clothing bags, Site in Elgin County. This site features onsite treatment but it is no longer allowed. These ‘churequeros’ earn of leachate. A methane gas collection and flaring sys- $1 USD per day to support an entire family.3 We ran a tem offers hope of eventually generating electricity or soccer clinic near a poor barrio at the margin of the cleaning it for residential gas use. City trucks could dump allowing them a fun diversion. then trade gas volumes to fuel their city vehicles!9 Cont’d on next page  Living and working in La Chureca poses terrible health threats. Respiratory diseases are common from dust and smoke from constant garbage fires. 49% of the community regularly suffers from coughs, colds, influ- enza and bronchitis. Pneumonia, asthma and TB are also present plus outbreaks of malaria and conjunctivi- tis. At least 15% of residents regularly experience problems of diarrhea, vomiting and parasites.4 So at what human cost is recycling happening!?

Mumbai, India: a parallel to La Chureca Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, is not the expected envi- ronmental stewardship example. But it is here that

2 Family home near La Chureca garbage dump Survivor: The Real Version (cont’d) Seeking Wonder (cont’d) 3

While sounding positive, Green Lane Landfill’s existing God is more than a source of wonder; He is the source of permitted capacity will be exhausted by approximately wonder. First we must seek God, then our eyes will be 2025 at current diversion rate… then what? Jesus our opened to His splendour, which is all around us in crea- mentor came to bring Good News to the poor (Luke tion (Romans 1:20). We cannot hope to find wonder and 4:18-21). Our prayers and gifts are an offering up to fulfillment in life without knowing our God. Riches cannot God (Acts 10:4) satisfy, happiness fades, but the LORD offers a life-giving water that quenches our thirst (John 4:14). 1 We need to continue to educate our children to help In Recapture the Wonder, Ravi Zacharias explains reduce poverty and be creation stewards with waste. how wonder essentially derives from a knowledge and Nicaraguan attitudes that “it should be picked up by a relationship with our God. Without a relationship with government employee from our taxes” has become a the Creator, the wonder we feel in creation is just a tem- culture which we cannot afford to revert to with our porary high. high waste volume. Though we are the perpetrators, Some of the components that come out of this we can also be the advocates for change by example. relationship, and then affect our wonder, are gratitude Back in Nicaragua, the team of 2010 cleaned up a ball and truth. Consider a sunset. It can definitely be de- diamond needing 13 full garbage bags. Coming back scribed as a wonderful experience. How much more won- this year, we only used 4. Actions speak volumes! Nica- derful is it when we direct our praises to it’s Creator in raguan Christian youth now lead MAC sports on minis- gratitude? In this high moment of wonder we receive af- try support, not unemployed. Small steps, but God is firmation that God is an awesome creator, painting the leading to help His kingdom people! Adios, skies to declare His glory. Now consider the often re- BMacT jected and forgotten house spider. Did you know that they can make different types of threads for their intri- 1. Kaiser Family Foundation. “Population Undernourished (Percent of Total Population) 2005-2007.” U.S. Global Health Policy. Web. 2 Mar 2011. cate web weavings? Having poor eyesight, smell and 2. “La Chureca” Wikipedia, 2 Jan 2011. Web. 2 Mar 2011. hearing, they know they’ve caught prey through vibra- 3. Paltzer, Andrea. Earth Education Project. Web. 2 Mar 2011. 4. Paltzer, Andrea. tions from the web to their body hairs and feelers. Know- 5. Lobo, Kevin. “Garbage is not a dirty word.” Mumbai Mirror. 18 April ing more truths about the spider helps us appreciate it as 2010. Web. 2 Mar 2011. 6. Environment Green. “More Recycling Facts and Statistics”. Environment- a masterful piece of work from the Creator. Both grati- Green; Your Planet Our Responsibility, 2008. Web. 2 Mar 2011. tude and truth are essential to making wonder last in our 7. Durham Region. “ by-law consultation.” Waste Man- agement News. Web. 2 Mar 2011. lives through moments of awe and ordinary moments 8. City of Toronto. “Facts about Toronto’s Trash.” City of Toronto, 5 Nov normally taken for granted. 2010. Web. 2 Mar 2011. 9. City of Toronto. Seeking wonder in Creation is not wrong, as long as we don’t confuse the gift with the giver. James 1:17 reminds the Christian that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Taking time to marvel at Creation opens our eyes to its complex- ity, and if done rightly, should direct us back to the Au- DID YOU KNOW? thor of all things. God declared after Creation that all He Making Styrofoam is one of the dirtiest and most destruc- made was “very good” (Genesis 1:31), so there’s no rea- tive processes on the planet; chronic exposure during proc- son we shouldn’t admire it. essing can damage the nervous system and is a suspected Seeking wonder in life starts with seeking the 1 carcinogen. source of that wonder: our Lord, Sovereign Creator and It takes 500 years for Styrofoam to decompose in a landfill.2 Saviour. Seek Him first and pray that God may open your Snub Styrofoam and Grab a Glass! eyes to see His wonders today. KL 1. “Polystyrene Foam Report.” Earth Resource Foundation. Web. 20 Feb 2011. 2. Radcliff, David. “Glass vs. Styrofoam at the church potluck.” New Com- 1. Zacharis, Ravi. Recapture the Wonder. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003. munity Project. Web. 20 Feb 2011. Print Fair Glen growing Outdoor Leaders

The Interns head to Costa Rica As part of a partnership with Campamento Roblealto in Costa Rica, FH and MBC offered the interns this wonderful opportunity to serve at yet another Christian camp. They shared their gifts through maintenance projects and spending time with the children. During their free time, they were able to explore Costa Rica, from the nearby towns to the beautiful beaches and national parks. They served whole heartedly, practiced Spanish and grew closer to our God of nations. → Some of the interns and leaders after the exciting zip-lining tree-top tour

Maple Syrup Time Join us in Fair Haven’s Bring your class to 70th Anniversary experience the story celebrations for the annual of maple syrup. March– early April RunRun forfor thethe SonSon Tap a tree August 6 Walk back in history Visit the Sugar Shack Wagon Ride Donations go towards new Fair Glen cabins Maple Taffy on Snow See fairhavens.org for more weekend celebration events.

Fair Glen Canoe Trips 2011 : Sign up NOW!

 OCE Class Canoe Overnight Trips: May-June  Family Canoe Trip: July 22-24  NEW! Paddle Rock Youth Group Trip: July 14-16 or August 11-13. Space limited. Sign up your youth group to rock climb/canoe!  Father Son Canoe Trip- September 9-11

Call 705-426-7047 or email [email protected] to register

Get Outdoors, with us! Call to register your group for one or more days. Over 50 programs to choose from! Ask for our DVD and Educator’s Handbook Email: [email protected] or Phone: 1-800-430-5059

Looking forward to a new season causes us to look back for a moment on what has passed. While mourning the loss of one of our beloved cooks, Mary Kirk, we celebrated the fact that Mary came to know our God and rests with Him now. This winter we both had the opportunity to experience other cultures. Kira spent some time at Campamento Roblealto with the interns in Costa Rica and Brian traveled to Nicaragua with his daughters on a missions trip. While each of us took our turn enjoying the sun, the other welcomed enthusiastic groups who enjoyed winter activities here at Fair Glen such as skiing, snowshoeing, skating, and cooking over a one-match fire. After tapping a few trees now we look forward to the sweet smell of spring! Brian MacTavish, Kira Langendoen OCE Program Director OCE Assistant Program Director