Nahuel Morandi and Dr. Andrew Leake meet with indigenous farmers affected by deforestation.

Did you know that the ancient forests in Argentina are disappearing?

Argentina is one of the worst countries in the world for deforestation. Large soybean production and expanded cattle ranching have resulted in the bulldozing of countless trees. Thankfully, the local church is working to reverse this.

A new ARDF project will help educate the indigenous people who have been living in these forests for thousands of years. It is important that they not only know about the dangers of deforestation, but that they also know their legal rights when speaking out against businesses intent on clearing the trees off their land.

No matter where you stand on environmental issues, having your land denigrated by others is wrong.

Using an existing building and surrounding acreage, the church in Northern Argentina will create a conference center where community training sessions can take place. They will partner with a well-recognized, international Christian conservation. The center will be used to teach church leaders and others about the dangers of climate change and to train Christians to adopt farming strategies to reverse deforestation.

This is not a new thing for the church here. Dr. Andrew Leake (as project director) is joining  a long standing program to support the farmers in this area in local efforts to protect their forests. By working through churches in local areas facing these issues, the church will use its experience to equip these communities to care for God’s creation of the earth.

This project creates extensive learning opportunities. While this project will specifically refurbish meeting rooms and dormitories, the surrounding land offers plenty of educational case studies. A valley on the property offers the chance to study erosion, environmental damage from past mining activities, and hunting and urban expansion. The property’s woodlands will be used for practical conservation work and research. The adjacent lowland region is home to indigenous villagers who are currently being affected by deforestation.

Like all ARDF projects, sustainability is built into the plan. Based on previous experience, 1,000 people are expected to rent the center for meetings, conferences and camps, providing enough income to maintain the buildings once renovated. As offerings expand, this number is expected to increase. All of those renting the space will be participating in activities that directly affect their spiritual growth, keeping with ARDF’s vision of holistic community development. Join the Partnership today!

Support this project!

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. – Job 12:7-10

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