Last spring, we collected nickels (and dimes, quarters and bills too) to help out the Millions of Trees initiative with our partners in the Iringa Diocese of Tanzania. Seedlings are prepared at the diocese compound in Iringa Town and then sent out to partner congregations for planting throughout the region. Each seedling costs about $.05 – one nickel – to prepare for planting. Our congregation’s goal was to raise enough to prepare for 10,000 seedlings and we sent off our $500 to the Saint Paul Area Synod in May. Our support was added to the gifts of others from our the synod and the work began to prepare the seedlings for this year’s planting cycle.
Here are some photos that just arrived of our 10,000 trees continuing on the journey to provide a sustainable income for farmers throughout Iringa, to reduce the effects of deforestation and to bring hope to the whole world, one tree at a time.