A Gift that Gives

Christmas is Just around the corner
Every year we search for the "perfect" gift and spend tons of money on something that realistically will not have any affect on anybody's life. This year, I want to try and support programs from around the world that give back to the community. I have been following a few blogs about missionaries from different countries and thought it would be great to show my support in this way. I love art and fashion so what better way to give back to hurting people. Check out their websites and give A Gift that Gives.

147 Million Orphans

http://147millionorphans.com/uganda-necklaces 

The Karamojong women, in Uganda Africa, create these beautiful necklaces by hand and from re-cycled paper. The goal is to help these women maintain sustainable income for their families. 147 Million Orphans purchases these necklaces from them and sends 50%+ of the profits back to a feeding program run by Katie Davis. Necklace: $20

Haitian Creations

http://www.haitiancreations.com/ 

The great thing about Haitian Creations that you get to see the connection between the purse and the person who made it. Each woman has a profile and some of the work they have made.
You can hold a "purse party" and sell the purses from your home. They range in price from $20-$45 and all proceeds will go to support this program.

 Wallblank - Watoto

Well-known humanitarian documentary photographer, Esther Havens has launched a collection of online prints, www.wallblank.com/watoto - inspired by the Watoto story. All proceeds go to Watoto Child Care Ministries to rescue orphans and raise future leaders in Uganda, East Africa
For more information about the work and vision of Watoto, visit www.watoto.com

 

Thanksgiving... for Freedom

Well this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving and I am very excited to eat tons of really great food!

 

Since this whole Haiti idea has come into play, my thoughts get sidetracked rather easily. Even while I was having a wonderfully hot shower last night, I couldn't help but think back to the posts from Katie in Uganda that I was reading yesterday. She was saying that some kids were afraid to take a real shower because they had never seen anything like it before!
I can't help but think about the many suffering people around the world who don't have clean water, proper  food and clothing, or even a bed to sleep in. At Thanksgiving we always say we are thankful for "family, friends, and good food!" but when you seriously consider all that we have, we should be thankful for so much more! A roof over our head, food EVERY DAY, running water, access to good healthcare, jobs, but most of all, the freedom to share the love of God and meet together as Christians. There is so much oppression in countries around the world and here in North America we take our freedom for granted. I was driving through Toronto yesterday, with the windows down, blaring a Christian CD that I love. That is "the freedom we know" Check out the video


Hillsong - The Freedom We Know