ⓒ 2004 WATV

To protect nature is to keep human life, and it is how we love our neighbors. The members of the Church of God diligently practice love for neighbors by protecting nature which God create. Among them, the members who belong to the Association for the Eastern Part of Gyeonggi Province also took part in this environmental movement.

On November 14, over 300 members in Seongnam city gathered, being simply dressed, at Namhansanseong Walled Fortress which is one of famous historical sights. It is also a very beautiful tourist attraction with thick forest and mysteriously shaped rocks. However, it was heard that the Fortress was suffering from rubbish as tourists visited there more and more. So the members decided to protect their cultural inheritance and nature by themselves.

The volunteers gathered at the entrance of the Fortress and started cleanup at about 11 a.m.. Through the address, Pastor Sang-won Kang gave thanks to God who allowed the opportunity to reveal the glory of God, and encouraged the volunteers, saying, "Let's protect environment. It is to protect our life and love our neighbors. It is also our duty to protect our historic spot."

ⓒ 2004 WATV

Tae-nyeon Kim an assemblyman for Seongnam city said, "I've heard that the Church of God does volunteers activities a lot," and repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the volunteers who spared no effort for the environment and their neighbors even on Sunday.

The volunteers cleaned and picked up the rubbish on the path up to the South Gate of the Fortress from the amusement park which is about 2km. They went to up to the top of the mountain first and cleaned up, descending the mountain. While climbing the mountain, the youths greeted the other climbers, smiling with letters on their clothes that were saying, "God bless you." The tourists and climbers also greeted and waved their hands to the youths who were smiling brightly.

The mountain was defiled by the rubbish. The valley was indescribably messy. Broken bottles, cans and garbage were scattered here and there. Where the sight of people hardly reached was more serious. Even some parts of a car were thrown and covered with leaves.

ⓒ 2004 WATV

The volunteers were divided into three groups-the youths' group, men' group and women's group-and each group cleaned up each path. It was somewhat dangerous as the path was steep, but they didn't concern about that and picked all the rubbish carefully from heavy iron frames to cookie bags, garbage and even small cigarette butts. The children also climbed up to the top of the mountain, holding their moms' hand, and picked up the rubbish. The climbers said, looking at the children picking up the rubbish more actively than the adults, "They are doing a good thing," "They are laudable."

It was about 2 o'clock when they had all come down the mountain after finishing picking up the rubbish. The collected rubbish was as much as a small hill. The volunteers who were having a rest after piling up all the thrown rubbish, said, "It was a joyful and worthwhile day," "This place is like a face of Korea for the foreigners who visit the tourist attractions of Korea. I feel as if I washed the face today. I am so happy."

ⓒ 2004 WATV

A journalist from a daily news had been watching the volunteers and said, "The Church of God does good deeds so much. Whenever I see their activities, I'm very impressed." Pastor Sang-won Kang said, "We won't neglect to protect our cultural inheritance as well as loving environment, loving neighbors and loving human life," and he also said, "We will love nature that God created for us and will be the children of God who takes lead in loving neighbors."

The members of the Church will constantly deliver the love of God to the dried world like a well-bucket that draws the spring water never drying up.