I first encountered this in Kenya when we shared a duplex with a British family. We are actually going to see them next week, Lord willing!
I remember being so impressed out how they conserved water, compost, etc.--it really put me to shame. I have already confessed that I am a total hypocrite when it comes to materialism--I despise it and am a follower. I was outed when we moved and had so much stuff!
Anyway, I love our church! The second week we were there, they had a car free Sunday--encouraging people to walk. They sell and promote fair trade products at the church. There is this great organization called Traidcraft click on the word to check it out. We first heard of it b/c our pastors wife has a brother who works for them. Their family just got back from South American and they went on a mission trip/holiday and part of it was set up as a holiday to support the poor and to visit a Traidcraft factory--they promote fair wages, among other things. Impressive.
Then, the first week-end of October was called Harvest. We brought flowers, candy, fruit and visited the elderly and shut in of the church and heard from a man from the organization A Rocha click on the word to find out more about them. He spoke about stewardship of the earth and we all know that God gave us the earth to tend. Our church has a great vision for the grounds as a place of beauty, peace and binding the community and they are active in community conservation right on the church grounds. They share God's love through this program and it really challenged me to rethink conservation and it's importance.
Even the Bishop of Canterbury has piped in..
see article here
As with everything, now many developing countries depend on exports to developed countries. So, in encouraging one moral response, families should do their own gardening to reduce carbon footprint, it turns out Kenyans rely on income from crops they export to England. Unintended consequences drive me mad!
It seems the whole country is keen on being eco friendly, which is so refreshing. Micah and Emma Shae both can recognize the fair trade symbol and ask for those products and to American credit--Micah said he learned about fair trade at school--go Live Oak!!
The city even picks up composting--wow! Although, our area does recycle plastic or cardboard curbside--but I was shocked and impressed when our landlord fussed about this! Also, it is a common site to see recycling in the "boot" of our friends cars. Most people carry cloth bags for their shopping around--we are getting there in America.
Oh, and they have tons of charity shops--each on supports a different cause--from cancer, to pet care to preservation of the local historic cinema. This is when I realized that I shop as recreation--I found myself going in there just to look and almost always coming out with something interesting. I just don't go in now unless I need to--things are dirt cheap!
I also cannot say enough about English generosity! In one of the charity shops, a lady gave Mallory a stuffed toy--our first week here and Mallory needed cheering up as she missed her brother and sister. Our doctor family friends that I have mentioned before-- met us, invited us over and offered their car, older kids to babysit and now helped us through Micah's asthma attack--more on English hospitals coming soon on Micah's blog. Another friend brought us toys, another had us over all day for Sunday lunch and gave the children books and walked us all the way home. When there are school gatherings and public transportation might be an issue, any of Aaron's colleagues offer to come get us.
They really go the extra mile here. They also call you love -- a lot . I like that! Other terms we are getting familiar with--ta (said tahhhhh--going up high pitched by ladies or tah briefly by the lads) Cheers. Anyone with information, would be greatly appreciated--Ta and Cheers appear to be a way of thanking AND saying good-bye. More on this as we remember to ask someone about it without looking like uptight white people in the grocery store....
Finally, save the red squirrel. This has made Aaron and I chuckle a lot--shows our cruel, American anti animal hearts (just kidding--we love animals). Usually, the squirrel is not something that would move us, but not so around here--it's a BIG deal. You can get a library card with a red squirrel on it and there is a reserve near us in a town called Formby--with pine trees--honestly, I was not excited about this b/c coming from Texas and North Carolina--we have tons of pine trees. But, now I feel bad and my heart is softening....
Save the Red Squirrel.
On another note--we have a friend named Tim Dale and he is from England although has a perfect American accent and demeanor due to growing up in America... Tim Dale is the only squirrel doctor in Great Britain...
Hmmm.... are they the same?! Article If you click on article, you can check it out--too bad there's no picture of Dr. Dale... Red Squirrel click on the red squirrel link if you want to check out the save the squirrels in Formby or donate...
So, well done England!!
Good show, old bean (said in your best, robust English accent)!! This our new favorite phrase our friend Esther taught us and it is appropriate!
