ASEZ WAO Planted A Forest of Hope in Magnolia Dell Pretoria

Tree Planting in Magnolia Dell Pretoria

On Sunday 23 June ASEZ WAO Volunteers from the World Mission Society Church of God, hereinafter referred to as ‘Church of God’, participated in the Forest of Hope Campaign. ASEZ WAO stands for Save the Earth from A-Z and We Are One Family. It is made up of the young worker adults of the Church of God doing good deeds following the will of God. The Church of God members from Pretoria and Johannesburg gathered in Magnolia Dell park in Pretoria for the Tree Planting activity. The event was aimed at restoring forests that have high carbon absorption capacity. And this is done by actively doing carbon reduction activities such as Tree Planting which results in a safe ecosystem for all inhabitants.

Over 80 ASEZ WAO members joined the activity along with their guests. Moreover, two VIPs also participated in the Tree Planting activity. First, the City of Tshwane Councilor Shaun Wilkinson and second a renowned Artist with a passion for nature Nellien Brewer. They both gave words of encouragement and of thanks to the ASEZ WAO Volunteers. In addition, the City of Tshwane worked together with ASEZ WAO by providing supplies such as garbage bags for litter around the park and 13 trees such as the Toad Tree, African Olive Tree and Karee Tree to assist in creating a Forest of Hope. The Tree Planting participants dug holes matching the size of the roots and proceeded with planting. All the volunteers were filled with bright smiles after planting the trees realizing what great work they participated in and the great impact it will have.

Panel Exhibition and Joint Declaration

Although Climate Change and the decrease of Carbon absorption is a big problem across the world and people are aware of it, there are not many who know specifically what to do to combat it. This is why the ASEZ WAO Volunteers take the lead in educating people about the environmental issues we are currently facing and give them ways in which they can participate to preserve the environment. Most people would love to have joyful moments like having a picnic with their family while sitting on the grass, feeling the sun rays and cool breeze from the trees. However, due to the great urbanization that has taken place, many trees are being cut down and we have reached a very serious and critical point of desertification.

To make the residents of Magnolia Dell aware of this issue, the ASEZ WAO Volunteers presented a panel exhibition of the causes of desertification and the increase of carbon absorption. Through the presentation, the listeners felt the true necessity and urgency of planting trees. One of the ASEZ WAO Volunteers explained the importance of Tree Planting by saying that by planting one tree, each tree we plant will gather to become a forest in the future.

And in order to show a firm determination to restore the forests which have disappeared and take good care of the earth God has created, the ASEZ WAO Volunteers made a joint generational declaration. This declaration was made up of all age groups of the Church of God Volunteers that is adults, youth members, and student members. All the participants declared in unison: “By planting trees and protecting forests, we will create a forest of hope in the world,” and “We will realize a sustainable global environment and a happy future for humanity”.

The Church of God Volunteers are the Salt and Light of the World

The World Mission Society Church of God is very active not only in planting trees to preserve the environment, but also in forest fire prevention, the forest clean-ups and biodiversity conservation such as removing alien invasive plants to protect our native plants. And as the World Mission Society Church of God is Worldwide, these activities are conducted globally. As a result the Church of God has received more than 4000 awards from renowned organizations and governments and presidents.

Seeing the good work of the ASEZ WAO Volunteers Councilor Shaun commended them for setting a good example for other areas to learn from. And Nellien expressed her joy over the Tree Planting activity saying that people will finally see that this park is alive. The driving force of the Church of God Volunteers are the words of God which say we must be the salt and light of the world.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth…

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world…

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

God said to us we are the salt of the earth showing us that we must purify the world just like how three percent of salt purifies the sea. And God also taught that we are the light of the world and as the light we must drive away darkness by shinning God’s light towards the darkened world. This is why God said that when we do good deeds setting good examples for those around us He will be glorified. The Church of God will continue to deliver the light and be the salt purifying the world one volunteer activity at a time.