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Christchurch New Zealand  Most of us want to find the one, once you found the one? Would you fight till the end? Nowadays, we get amazed when we see couples stay together until their last breath. This only shows that true love does exist in a world where divorce, annulment and separation are very common. As husband and wife, you have already fought and won hundreds, if not thousands of battles together. You treat each other as comrades, best friends and lovers. If you truly love someone, it seems like this lifetime is not enough to spend your moments together. In the Church of God, according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is vital for couples to stay together until the end. As the verses in the Bible say, 1 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV) To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband. Ephesians 5:28 (ESV) In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For that reason, on the 18th of August, a couples’ night was held, with the theme “A Thousand Years”. This event was organised to reminiscence the past, bring back the sweet romance and strengthen the couple’s love. A romantic environment was set up to create the ambiance for the couples to enjoy the night. The event paved way for new talents to be revealed led by the hosts Brother Ting and Sister Syhrel. Couples also took to the dance floor to share a sweet dance. The highlight was that Brother Daniel‘s call to rejuvenate the love that once brought them together. Couples were asked to list the characteristics or the traits that brought them to their partners. He also emphasized the importance of not only expressing and showing love through actions, but also once in a while, express the love for their spouses in words. To forgive and forget the mistakes that were done in the past, by saying "sorry" and "I love you" is also vital in the foundation of every relationship. Brother Daniel quoted the song The Past by Ray Parker Jr. singing, “so let’s not bring the past back anymore”. Brother Daniel closed out the evening with the saying “what happens next is up to you”. To God be the Glory! Written by: Sister Mariel Ansit Christchurch, New Zealand Members Church of God International (MCGI) along with other participants took part in a tree planting event at Halswell Quarry Park, Christchurch, New Zealand. This event was organised by Trees for Canterbury last 27th of July 2019.  Halswell Quarry Park is one of the perfect places to spend time with families, friends or individual. People can enjoy doing various recreational activities such as walks, bike trails, picnics and scenic views. This place was once a quarry before it became a park. It was first operated in the early 1860's to the early 1990's, which supplied Christchurch City with crushed metal stones for road works and cut stones that were used to build the city's many prominent buildings like the Canterbury Museum. The depleted resources forced the quarry to stop from its operation. In 1925 the quarry was bought by Christchurch City Council. Then, the council decided to restore this place as a recreation reserve, wildlife habitat and an educational resource park. To this day, the council's aim has not stopped. For that reason, tree planting events are still held, attracting many volunteers including MCGI to contribute with this good work in the local community.  MCGI supported this kind of event, as it has been in-line with the organization's view of doing good not just to people but also to the environment, as what Brother Eliseo Soriano and Brother Daniel Razon teach the organization written in the Holy Scripture on Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." MCGI's volunteering first started in the Philippines and now in different parts of the globe, they have embraced this advocacy by supporting local communities in various activities like this tree planting event in Christchurch, New Zealand. 37 volunteers of MCGI participated despite their busy schedules and plans for the weekend with their families. Both young and adult keenly took their shovels, buckets, wheelbarrows and wore their gloves and gumboots ready to take action. Thus, 800 trees were planted in less than an hour. After the satisfying work, there is no other way to end the event but to enjoy a delightful meal prepared by the event organiser.  It was also a great way for the participants to connect with nature and to support the beautification of the environment. The volunteers also believe that doing such activity will benefit the future of our children and the coming generation.
Participating in this Tree Planting Activity is also the MCGIs one way of saying, "Thanks be to God for the earth we live in!" To God be the Glory! Written by: Sister Mariel Ansit |
