Monday

PRaP 12-07-2009

“Where Do We Go From Here?”

Let’s see we taught you about the unconditional love of Jesus.  We have discussed how we should live for Him through Him and because of Him.  We have discussed the Biblical principles of life and the not so Biblical principles of life.  We have discussed the proper marriage principles and the improper marriage principles.  We have discussed wars and rumors of wars.  We have discussed end times in which we live.  We have discussed the prophets of old and many other men and women of the Bible.  We have been on a journey in Truth for all these years and I am afraid that for those of you that have been with me through all of them will notice that I have become somewhat repetitive on things.  We even went through the Bible from cover to cover in a year.  I have been asking the Lord where do we go from here and I saw in my minds eye Him standing before me holding up His Word and saying “This is a Bible, let’s begin!” so I am guessing that He is telling me to be repetitive and go over His Word over and over again until He comes.  This is the season for closing out the old and beginning the new so see we will be doing something new in the New Year.  We will again discuss the creation and spiritual things.  We will discuss Jesus’ unconditional love for us and the right way for marriage and the wrong way.  We will discuss the Biblical principals of life and the not so Biblical principals.  We will discuss the spiritual things of the Holy Spirit and the angels of God.  We will discuss the end times in which we live.  We’ll keep moving forward in Truth as the battle for our very souls are at stake.  Remember this, we will be speaking the Truth in love through the Truth that is our Salvation through Jesus Christ and His Word that He left for us.  The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth the Holy Bible.

John 5

Key Verse:

John 5:17
Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”
John 5:16-18 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus Bless,

Pastor Steve

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the countdown timer for the Copenhagen Summit in my computer screen zeroes flickered. This is it… Today the world holds its breath as world leaders arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark to decide what the global fight against climate change will look like.

President Obama has announced that he will now come to Copenhagen on December 18th, the same day as other heads of state. This is most certainly welcome news. All the elements are now in place for world leaders to move forward and agree a legally binding treaty in Copenhagen to stop climate chaos.

Now that Obama has moved the date of his trip, however, he needs to move the US’s emissions targets and financial commitments to be in line with what climate science demands so that this doesn’t become reality:

Mike G

Friday

PRaP 12-04-2009

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus

 ¹In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ²(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³And everyone went to his own town to register.

 ⁴So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

 ⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^[a] the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

 ¹³Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest,
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

 ¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

I just got to Copenhagen a few hours ago, and this being my first visit to the city I was of course looking out the window of the plane as we approached Kastrup airport. And lo and behold, there was the Greenpeace ship Beluga II with a 15×20 meter banner attached to its stern, welcoming delegates to the UN climate summit with the message “Stop Climate Change Here.”

Mike G

Thursday

PRaP 12-03-2009

1 Peter 4

Living for God

 ¹Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ²As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

 ⁷The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

 ¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And,
   ”If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
      what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”^[a]

 ¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Jesus Bless,

Pastor Steve

Wednesday

PRaP 12-02-2009

“FROG’n”

What do we do when life happens?  I go FROG’n!

When you get that note home from school that a child is having problems, go FROG’n.

When your job really stinks and you don’t know what to do, go FROG’n.

When there is more bills than bank account, go FROG’n.

When there is tension at home between you and your spouse, go FROG’n.

When traffic is heavy and you are late, go FROG’n.

When it is lunchtime and you have no food, go FROG’n.

When it is time for dinner and the cupboard is bare, go FROG’n.

When you or a family member becomes ill and there seems to be no hope, go FROG’n.

When you receive a blessing and are filled with joy, go FROG’n.

When that raise comes through, go FROG’n.

When that promotion comes through, go FROG’n.

When that “A” comes home, go FROG’n.

When that “B” comes home, go FROG’n.

Even when that “C” comes home, go FROG’n.

If an “F” comes home you definitely need to go FROG’n.

When you see someone sitting under a bridge looking torn and dirty, go FROG’n.

When you go to church the only thing you need to be doing is FROG’n.

When you wake up in the morning unassisted, go FROG’n.

When you get that phone call that drops you to your knees and takes your breath away, go FROG’n.

When you are looking for the right words to say, go FROG’n.

When your heart just isn’t in it, go FROG’n.

EVERYONE should just take the day off and go FROG’n.

Fully Rely On God, have you gone FROG’n yet today?  Why not?

1 John 4

Key Verse:

1 John 4:16
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:15-17 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus Bless,

Pastor Steve

December 1st marks the worldwide release of the 9-minute animated film The Story of Cap & Trade which takes a provocative but humorous look at cap and trade, the leading climate solution under consideration in Copenhagen and on Capitol Hill.

Employing the same urgent honesty that made The Story of Stuff so successful—and flash animation that makes it clear who wins and who loses—The Story of Cap & Trade points to the ‘devils in the details’ in current cap and trade proposals: free permits to big polluters, fake carbon offsets and, most importantly, distraction from the significant tasks at hand in tackling the climate crisis.

The Story of Cap & Trade also points to more effective ways to tackle the climate crisis. The film’s website will serve as an interactive launch pad for information with actions people can take to address the climate change crisis. The site features dozens of organizations working toward real climate solutions, offers viewers a series of ways to get involved and includes downloadable resources and information, including a footnoted script.

Visit their website for more www.storyofcapandtrade.org.

Or checkout their free stuff here

Chuck Baclagon

On the night of Monday, November 16th, the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston hosted an event for the Containers2Clinics project. Below are pictures taken at the event.

The Stack Design Build team

Check out the latest story of C2C’s progress on the “Here and Now” site. The story also features an audio file of the coverage.

Go to http://www.hereandnow.org/2009/11/containers-to-clinics/ to view!

Tuesday

PRaP 12-1-2009

“Christmas Season Has Begun”

Well the 2009 Christmas Season has arrived and this year has almost come to an end.  Didn’t we just do this?  My days have become just a blur and the years seem like moments to me.  Makes me wonder if that is the way eternity will feel, years will be like minutes and days like seconds.  We take for granted each breath at times and don’t remember to stop and thank the Breath Maker for His gift to us and this is the season for His birthday, the day that Jesus was born that we too shall live eternally.  This season in the times we live be sure that the gifts you give are from the heart and not from the wallet.  The Lord wants us to be cheerful givers not expecting anything in return for what we give but to love unconditionally as He does.  I know that this unconditional love thing is very difficult for us as humans to achieve because it is all about me, right?  Our Father in Heaven calls us to love others as He loves us and He loves us without condition.  Remember He called us even though we are filthy from our sin.  He doesn’t care how bad we stink He will still grab us up into His arms and squeeze.  Take the “me” out of Christmas oh wait there isn’t one in there!  So why all the selfishness?  A gift doesn’t have to cost a bunch of money.  A simple smile and a caring “Merry Christmas” could be the difference between knowing that Jesus is here and hoping that Jesus will come.  You see Christmas isn’t about what you get it is about what you give.  Give a quality gift this year.  Something that no man can steal, no rust can destroy, and no moth can eat.  A gift that you can never run out of and you can never give more than the Giver.  Everyone know what that is?  Agape Love.  As my beloved Cate used to say, “Peace and Agape Love to you”

Matthew 7

Key verse:

Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:10-12 (in Context) Matthew 7 (Whole Chapter)

Peace and Agape Love

Pastor Steve

Monday

PRaP 11-30-2009

“Twist and Turn, Up and Down”

On our vacation this past week we were driving around lake Travis in Austin doing that tourist thing.  Thankfully our tour was guided because I would have never found my way out of this ride.  Well I would have eventually but it was a lot more fun having someone else doing the driving.  These roads twisted and turned and went up and down and were very narrow with no shoulder and some were very steep and as we were driving along the Holy Spirit came upon me and shared with me that life is like this road always twisting and turning and we have very steep downs and very steep ups and sometimes these roads don’t have road signs to warn you of how sharp the curve ahead is and the only warning of a steep drop is after you turn the hairpin turn and see out the front windshield the drop and at the bottom is another unmarked blind curve.  As we traveled on down and around there was a story told of how a truck loaded with lumber slid off the road and into the deep ditch to the side of the road and lost its load and again the Holy Spirit spoke to me telling me that even if in our walk with Christ we slip off the road and end up in a ditch Jesus will be there to pull us out of the ditch and put us back on the road.  Like these roads life sometimes has no shoulder to pull off of and sometimes it is 100 miles to the next rest area and you have to be sure your tank is full before you go on that journey.  Makes me wish there were bumpers along the side of the road that would push me back on track without damaging the car.  Oh wait there are bumpers, they are called Pastor, Mother, Father, Brother, Sister, Friend, Family, and they come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, that only God could have built.

Numbers 22

Key Verse:

Numbers 22:32
The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.
Numbers 22:31-33 (in Context) Numbers 22 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus Bless,

Pastor Steve

Vendredi dernier était le grand jour du black friday. Le lendemain de Thanksgiving qui marque le début des achats de Noël.

Sur eBay.com aussi on vend et on achète en quantité, du coup le site a décidé de créer une carte représentant tous les achats/ventes dans toutes les villes des Etats-Unis.

Ca se passe par ici. Plus d’un million de transactions en 24h et la partie EST des Etats-Unis semble avoir davantage acheté.

Filipino Greenpeace activist Joel has spent more than 9 hours on top of a crane in the port of a massive pulp facility in Riau.  Earlier, his team, along with 10 other activists shut down the entire export facility of the mill owned by APP and parent company Sinar Mas, for seven hours.

We were able to speak with Joel while he was up on the crane.  Here’s what he had to say:

I’m here on the crane and will stay here for as long as I can because I really want to help.  This gigantic facility is destroying Indonesia’s forest and causing climate change.  I think we should all do something about this, climate change affects us all. We’ve recently just had what’s probably the two most devastating typhoons in the Philippines.  I know that I’m doing something that can help prevent that from happening again.

The town’s Chief of Police climbed up the crane earlier to talk to us and they told us they will swing the crane and that it will be very dangerous, and perhaps fatal, if we don’t go down from where we are. We told him that we’re staying.  We’re fighting for something, we’re fighting for the forests because we know that preserving it is a solution, and were here telling on world leaders that they can stop this destruction.

I hope other people all over the world will join us in defending Indonesia’s forests.  From the top of the crane I can see how companies like APP who owns this facility have actually decimated the peatland forests in this area.  Because we’re near the port,  we’ve also seen how much (and it’s a lot!) timber they’ve been hauling to this facility—and that’s just for today.  It would be nice if President Yudhoyono can see what we can see from the top of the crane. He should come up here and see it with his own eyes.

Lea Guerrero

On le sait, Priceminister en terme de communauté est un peu restreint. Impossible d’envoyer la question qu’on veut concernant un produit puisque énormément de mots sont filtrés. De même il n’y a ni forums ni chats pour échanger avec les consommateurs.

Il faut bien le dire, eBay fait quand même beaucoup mieux !

Le site a donc décidé de rajouter une sorte de “questions/réponses” sur la fiche produit de la totalité de ses articles.

Une initiative relativement intéressante puisque la question est automatiquement envoyée à tous les vendeurs proposant le produit ainsi qu’aux acheteurs l’ayant déjà acheté. Ce sont donc des utilisateurs avertis qui pourront vous répondre.
Pour le moment il ne semble toutefois pas y avoir de modération…

Reste à voir si ce modèle est donc intéressant sur le long terme. Pour le moment j’ai quelques doutes.

Via Actualités e-commerce

The climate can’t wait, the remaining Indonesian forest can’t wait, and today Greenpeace sent a strong message to world leaders by blocking the Asia Pulp & Paper mill in the heart of the Indonesian forest. This mill is a massive greenhouse gas emitting facility – it is so big that it has its very own coal-fired plant to fuel it’s operations!

At dawn, 12 activists [from Germany, Belgium, the US, the Philippines, the Netherlands and Indonesia] made their way through the hot and rancid air of the plant, climbed the towering cranes used for exporting pulp and took their positions. Within minuted they had lowered themselves from these enormous structures, and suspended mid-air, they unveiled banners saying “Climate criminals” and a sending a direct message to world leaders “You can stop this”.

Tuesday

PRaP 11-24-2009

“Seeing The Fingerprints of God”

We went to Pedernales Falls yesterday and even though this place has no place in any record books nor is it a massively visited area it has the fingerprints of God all over it.  These falls are a group of cascading falls that is about 2 – 3 miles long.  We climbed to the top of the falls to see the beauty that could only be created through the magnificent plan of God.  It was a long climb for an old out of shape man like myself but it was such a reward to succeed that climb.  I think the most difficult part was finding a place that there wasn’t a 10 ft cliff that we would have to go down because we weren’t exactly dressed or prepared for cliff climbing.  It wasn’t the getting down I was worried about it was the getting back up that I knew would be the problem.  But once we were there it was amazing to see the formations cut out by the years of water moving through this area.  Some of the rocks were dozens of feet high and just sitting there in the middle of the riverbed.  It was an awesome sight to see.  As we got closer to midway we stopped on some absolutely huge flat rocks that were blocking the path of the river and narrowed it to a few feet across and the kids were able to lay on their stomachs and touch the water as it was rushing by.  As I sat and looked around at the cliffs that towered 100 feet above us I begin to feel this peace that I have been looking for.  As I looked down stream I noticed the water looked as though it was boiling and I realized that the rock we were on was only a bridge and the water was rushing under our very feet and just across the river from us there was a flooded cave which brought many thoughts through my imagination of traveling through the cave and as I scanned the cliff face this absolutely huge oval shaped cave came into view and right in the middle was an equally huge rock that was blocking the entrance to the cave.  I could only imagine the forces behind the perfectly shaped hole and how that monster rock got into the face of this cave.  As we ascended out of the riverbed muscle aching and screaming for rest I knew that I had been in the presence of a greatness that only God could have created and as we were leaving there was a picture of what we had just experienced and right next to it was another picture of the river in the midst of a flash flood and I got to see how God created the massive stone movements and the caves my imagination traveled.  The Pedernales Falls now have a place in the record book of my heart knowing it is a place of peace and shear massiveness that only God’s hand could be.  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls/

Hebrews 1

Key Verse:

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:2-4 (in Context) Hebrews 1 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus Bless,

Pastor Steve

Une question qui se pose assez souvent, qui sont les plus gros vendeurs d’eBay et surtout combien d’objets vendent-ils par mois ?

Une question qui trouve sa réponse ici. Même la France est citée.

Via Sellermania.

Monday

PRaP 11-23-2009

“Preparing to Give Thanks”

I bet you didn’t know there was a preparation process you needed to go through to give thanks?  Well just like that dinner that will be prepared on Thursday here in the United States there requires some prep work.  OK, here we go first thing you do is make a list of things you are thankful for.  You don’t go shopping without a list because if you do you will get things you don’t need.  Am I right?  Next prioritize your list from most important to least important to you.  I don’t know about you but I have enough knowledge about my store that I prioritize my list by isle.  Lord please don’t let them change the isles I will never get my shopping done!  Now those of you that have a list of hundreds of things for the sake of the people joining you for the Thanksgiving Day feast please narrow it down to like your top 5 and then take the rest to the Lord on your own prayer time.  I mean come on there is food to eat and football to watch and kids to play with and so much more to numerous to mention things to do.  Oh and come on you still have to make the Christmas shopping list don’t you, and no; socks and underwear are NOT the perfect gift to give during a multi-family Christmas get together for your 15 year old child.  Grandma I know you like to give gifts they need but how would you like it if we bought you granny panties for Christmas for you to unwrap in front of the entire family?  Give it to them as a side gift and let them know that it is something you think they will need.  I bet they will appreciate it more.  Oh wait, no I wont go there.  Now this is the season for giving thanks to the Lord for His blessing upon us so be sure you have prepared to give Him glory.

Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22

Matthew 26:17
[ The Lord's Supper ] On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
Matthew 26:16-18 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)

Mark 14:12
[ The Lord's Supper ] On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
Mark 14:11-13 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)

Luke 22:8
Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
Luke 22:7-9 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)

Jesus Bless you,

Pastor Steve

A few days ago, Swiss Forest Campaigner Asti described her first impressions of the camp. Since arriving she has been busy helping the local community finish a dam that will help preserve the precious peatland and help save the climate.

Click here to take action too!

The latest from Asti:

The dam site near the Climate Defenders Camp has probably never seen so many workers, as it did on the last day of its accomplishment. Even a group of around ten Indonesia boy scouts joined the work, putting up their flags all over the place. I do hope that Indonesian scouts are soon going to be called “forest rescuers” all over the country.

The number of heavy sandsacks which were filled and carried up to the dam are almost uncountable – I hope not too many people are feeling it their backs now.

The dam has created a real pool in which you are able to swim – we call it ‘Whiskey Lake’. Whiskey Lake contains reddish-brown peat water. If you taste this water, you might instead call it ‘Lemon Lake’ – it’s incredibly acid. After having tasted it you understand right away why these peatland canals are having a negative impact on the water balance and its fish population.

Draining peatlands is not only devastating for the peatland soils – it is also lowering the ground water, and can massively reduce fish and shrimp stocks because of the acidity added to the water (see Ashish’s and Corinna’s posts).

I’m sure those who took part in the beginning would be surprised how quickly this dam grew to its actual size. Our chief of construction, Arif M and everyone who contributed manpower during the past weeks can be proud of the result. To celebrate the completion of the dam, Whiskey Lake turned for once into a water fun park, with a special jump competition for the crew.

“Climate change stops here” – with this slogan on the banner and in our mind we leave this dam site now – already thinking about where to go next – there are loads of peatland canals just waiting to be dammed

If you have not seen or even heard of C2C I am here to brighten your day. If you have heard of them you will have your day brightened as I let you know that C2C will be releasing an album in 2010. When it comes to DJ shows a lot of time the showmanship just isn’t there, the beats, the hype, the girls and the dancing are all there, but these guys have brought showmanship back into a DJ show. The beats are sick, taking everything from blues and jazz, to Hip Hop, to ballroom, to Brazilian, to electronica, to rock and roll and flawlessly bringing them together in a way that just makes you want to get up and dance. No wonder these guys have won the DMC world team championships a record breaking 4 times 2003/2004/2005/2006. See DJ Pfel DJ Greem (Hocus Pocus), 20SYL and DJ Atom do their thing below. Also you can check out up to 11 of their tracks here, but seeing them perform is really part of the experience.

From Asti, Forest Campaigner from Switzerland, who has finally arrived at the camp:

There is a big buzz in the Climate Defenders Camp this afternoon. With at least 400 local visitors, including loads of children, and plenty of laughing and singing – it’s open house again. Krisna Mukti, a famous indonesian singer and actor, is just one of the attractions. Youngsters of Teluk Meranti are having a Bantun contest – which is a very nice Malai Tribe tradition to form your everyday life into poems. I know I miss a lot not being able to understand it – todays Bantun poems are all about the forests. Public outreach in the camp is both amazing and motivating.

I finally made it to the camp yesterday evening after almost getting grey in hotelrooms– it was empowering right away from the first step entering it. We (Swiss and Indian campaigners, accompanied by Indonesian colleagues) made sure to travel the last part of the trip in the dark as we wanted to reach the camp at least before possibly getting detained and deported. This happened to our friends from Italy, India and Belgium last Monday.

>> Read more about the Climate Defenders Camp

>> Join the call for an ambitious deal at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December including a forest fund

When we arrived, we were welcomed by around 50-60 people, locals and Greenpeace volunteers – a couple of guitars and a peaceful and inspiring atmosphere.

Asti campaigning at home in Zurich

I was told the crocodiles (police, government or companies) wouldn’t be likely to turn up during the weekend – so we made the most of the day and visited the damming construction which might be finished by tomorrow. And we put up a banner for the Swiss HOS to remind them to pay their share for forest and climate protection.

This camp made it totally clear to me: places like this one are so crucial, creating power and inspiration to be engaged for the protection for our forests, for our climate, for our future. They need to pop up everywhere – anywhere. You can build up your own little climate defenders camp where ever you like.

So, I’ve had my share – I’m ready for the crocodiles

From Ashish, a Campaigner from India, who has finally arrived at the camp:

We got into the Climate Defenders Camp late Friday night, the yellow Greenpeace banner emerging out of the night as our boat crossed the river from Teluk Banjai. I got to Jakarta over a week ago, and was beginning to wonder if I would ever see the camp, after the police harassment and deportations of last week. But I was finally here. There wasn’t time for much more than a round of introductions, some dinner and then sleep.

After what she describes as two very emotional and intense weeks at the Climate Defenders Camp in Sumatra, Corinna Hölzel, Forest Campaigner from Germany has now left Indonesia. Corinna had intended to stay in the camp much longer but after our successful actions against climate criminals APRIL, circumstances have changed and tight restrictions have been placed on foreigners travel within Riau Province.

Before leaving, Corinna took some time to describe her experiences working with the local community to preserve this vital rainforest ecosystem:

I belong to the group of people who at least had a chance to stay in the Climate Defenders Camp for some days, but some of my colleagues who arrived later than me haven’t had the opportunity to make this important experience at all.

Now that foreigners are not allowed to go to the village of Teluk Meranti or the camp, and while our Indonesian colleagues are interrogated by the police, I am concerned what will happen to the people from the local communities that supported our work and prevented the eviction of the camp.

In Indonesia, the police and companies like APRIL and Sinar Mas are very much linked and they are working together on a common goal – to kick Greenpeace out of this region. After I was detained and questioned by the police they told me that I am not allowed to return to the camp. I asked him why, and got a strange answer: He said that before Greenpeace established the camp on Kampar peninsula all people were happy and calm. Since Greenpeace is has been here the region has divided into pro and anti Greenpeace, and they fight against each other. For him the only solution is to remove Greenpeace.

I told him that I experienced the people as very aware and self confident. They know exactly what the forest means to them and what will happen once the big companies take their land and convert it into plantations.

Rather than removing Greenpeace they should instead respect the will of local communities.

Even though it was short, I will always remember my time in the camp where I worked together with local people and activists from all over the world to achieve one aim: Save the forest and the climate.

The work was hard – I never understood why the indonesian sandbags have to weight about 40 kilos – and the temperature was high. But it was worth every single minute. The atmosphere in the camp was great, and my abrupt goodbye – caused by my removal by the police – was very touching. Now I am glad to hear that the locals are continuing to build the dam.

The large majority of the locals don’t want to give their land to the big companies like APRIL. They know this is short sighted because even if they get some money for selling the land it won’t be enough. I talked to some people who live from fishing, small scale agriculture and usage of the forest. In the biodiverse peat forest they find medicine, fruit, nuts, mushrooms and building material. They can cultivate rice inside the forest. On the fields near the village they plant corn and oil palms for their own use and to sell at the local market. Whilst walking through the village you see some cattle, chicken and goats. They say the forest is their ’supermarket’, the only difference is that it’s for free.

Azwir, a local farmer, told me he has enough income to cover all his expenses. This would change dramatically if the forest is taken by APRIL or Sinar Mas who would clear it and dry the soil. The free supermarket would go bankrupt, and the fish stocks would decrease heavily. Hence he would need more money to feed his family. Where should the money come from? I asked him if he could work on the plantations. But he refused because it would make him dependent on the big companies and he would earn less. And also because he wants his children and grandchildren to grow up with the forest. That’s why he fights for the protection of forest and against ‘the company’ (what the people are calling APRIL) and against the government which has already given a 24,000 ha concession on community land to APRIL.

He also signed up a letter which sent the community to the Government in May 2009. They have never received an answer.

I was very impressed by the resoluteness of Azwir. He is aware that his forest is not only important for him and his community, but he knows about the its’ global importance as well. He has big hopes in the climate summit in Copenhagen and that the international community will agree to measures which will protect his forest. He would like to go to Copenhagen and tell his story to the world. He says he would do lots of things in order to protect his forest, but he would never leave it. He will never leave his village Teluk Meranti and move to another place but “fight until the end”.

>> Read more about the Climate Defenders Camp

>> Join the call for an ambitious deal at the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen this December including a forest fund

Tout l’hiver offrez vous du bon temps en dircte live sur les cams des plus beaux models sur le meilleur portail Européen de chatcam, ils sont tous la bite á la main et n’attendent que toi pour se faire cracher alors dépèches toi de les rejoindres, fais toi aussi plaisir pendants la période de Noël 1, ils ont pour toi  une place bien chaude juste en dessous de leurs gros paquets ou tu pourras avec ta bouche ou ce que tu souhaite prendre ton pied.

voir des mecs !