Sometimes as a mom in America, just living life the best I can spending my days taking care of my husband, children and home, changing the world can seem like a foreign concept.
It can seem like something that only missionaries do.
It can seem like something far away…something untouchable and unattainable.
It can seem like something reserved for the holy.
It can seem like all of those things, but in reality changing the world is none of those.
Changing the world is possible for me and you!
Changing the world is something that we, as very ordinary moms can do.
Changing the world is attainable and doable every day.
Changing the world is our calling.
Through ministries such as Mercy House Kenya and Fair Trade Friday, changing the world is something that we can do. I am going to spend some time over the next several Fridays telling you about Fair Trade Friday and the opportunities it gives you to change the world.
Fair Trade Friday, a ministry of Mercy House, is a monthly membership club that delivers high quality fair traded items to club members.
The items included in each box provide employment to women all over the world, making it possible for them to provide for their families.
Mercy House, on behalf of Fair Trade Friday, has partnered with 27 faith based organizations in 19 countries with the primary purpose to empower women. These partnerships have provided steady jobs for more than 1,000 women.
I recently received a Fair Trade Friday box and I would love to share with you the items that were included in this box.
The three handmade items included in this box were a beautiful blue and gold handwoven, block printed and stitched handbag made by three women in India, a croched jar opener by a refugee in Houston who is from the country of Bhutan, and a paper bead bracelet made by a woman in Ethopia.
You can read about the individual stories of the people that were involved in making this handbag at Joyn. You can read the stories of the women working in Houston at The Refugee Project. These women have been relocated by the United Nations from all over the world. The paper bead bracelet was made by one of the single moms of Embracing Hope Ethiopia.
Purchasing this one box of items would enable five women to provide for their families and have hope of a better future.
Each Fair Trade Friday box also comes with gift cards to use if you decide to gift the items in the box (and what a great gift they would make!!).
I’m not sure if this comes in every box, but my box also came with The Artisan Prayer on a magnet. This is up on my refrigerator and I look at it often to pray over the women who are making these items. The women’s lives that I am able to change!
I would love to share this prayer with you…
Dear God,
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of someone’s story by purchasing their creation. You redeem everything, especially brokenness. I pray for the hands that made what I’m wearing. I pray they will know hope and healing and abundant joy.
Provide for them and remind them they are not forgotten.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Yes, choosing fair trade means changing lives!
Choosing to support Fair Trade Friday means you can change the world!
It is my challenge to you that you would pray for the work of Mercy House Kenya and Fair Trade Friday as well as prayerfully consider if God is calling you to change the world through partnering with Fair Trade Friday.
To Partner with Fair Trade Friday:
You can…
- Join the Club and receive a box every month ($31.99/mo)
- Buy a one-time box (like mine)
- Join the Earring of the Month club ($11.99/month)
- If there’s not currently an opening for the next month’s club, you can join the wait list! (I’m on it right now)
Each monthly box contains 3-4 surprise hand crafted items that you will love! These items vary, but they generally consist of accessories, organic soaps, coffee, journals, and note cards. All the profits from your contribution goes directly to the artisans!
I’ll be back over the next several Fridays to share individual stories of lives being changed through Fair Trade Friday, so stay tuned!
Disclosure: I received the products in this post for the purposes of review. However, I was not paid for this post and will not earn commission if you make a purchase.
Karen says
Hi Monica – I received the same handbag and absolutely love it! It’s such a blessing to be able to pray for the precious women who made each item. Thank you for sharing your story.