Save the macadamias!
MANZINI, Swaziland — Students at African Christian College double as firefighters.
The ministry training school in this southern African nation operates the Tree of Life Project, a farm of about 14,000 macadamia nut trees that students help cultivate to provide income for their education.
A few years ago a brush fire destroyed many of the trees. After the loss, school officials purchased a fire cart, installed hydrants and fire breaks and started running fire drills, said Jenene Marnach, a member of the Newberg, Ore., church who serves on the college’s board. Recently officials distributed 12 whistles across campus to be blown in emergencies, she said.
Three days later those whistles were put to use as a brush fire approached the campus from three sides. Students lit back-fires and beat the flames with green tree limbs. Thanks to their efforts — plus “a lot of blessing and protection from the Lord” — the school and the macadamia trees were spared, Marnach said.
The ministry training school in this southern African nation operates the Tree of Life Project, a farm of about 14,000 macadamia nut trees that students help cultivate to provide income for their education.
A few years ago a brush fire destroyed many of the trees. After the loss, school officials purchased a fire cart, installed hydrants and fire breaks and started running fire drills, said Jenene Marnach, a member of the Newberg, Ore., church who serves on the college’s board. Recently officials distributed 12 whistles across campus to be blown in emergencies, she said.
Three days later those whistles were put to use as a brush fire approached the campus from three sides. Students lit back-fires and beat the flames with green tree limbs. Thanks to their efforts — plus “a lot of blessing and protection from the Lord” — the school and the macadamia trees were spared, Marnach said.
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