image courtesy of Fair Trade Friday
I love a good story.
While you’ll often find me with my nose buried in a good book, my favorite kind of story is one of redemption, one where God takes a seemingly hopeless situation and turns it into something beautiful.
I’ve seen that in my own life, and I’m hoping you’ve seen it in yours, too.
About a year ago, I was introduced to Fair Trade Friday.
“FTF exists as an avenue for women to empower women. We are tackling poverty through job opportunity and empowerment rather than enablement. 100% of the proceeds support the artisans, more than 500 women and their children from all over the world. FTF is a ministry of Mercy House Kenya, a non-profit organization.”
Fair Trade Friday offers a monthly subscription box of fair trade items and also an earring of the month club. You can also purchase items in the Mercy Shop. (Both subscriptions are currently wait-listed…BUT there are are openings often! So sign up, and you won’t be waiting too long.) 🙂 And just a warning: if you go over there, be ready to fall in love with some beautiful pieces!
But the thing is…these awesome fair trade items are really only a tiny piece of the story. (<====Tweet this.)
What I LOVE about them? Is the hearts, the hands, the women, behind them.
image courtesy of Fair Trade Friday
These items are their stories…given to me to hold in my hands and in my heart.
Each month, usually in the first week, I get the happiest, white envelope in the mailbox. I seriously squeal EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I see it.
🙂
And then I open it, and each item…it holds a story. A piece of God’s redemption. I think about each woman who touched these items and I never get through a package with dry eyes.
Just two days ago, I pulled a gorgeous, fabric headband out of my July box. Attached to it was a woman’s picture…the woman who made this headband. She is able to support her family…and her life is being changed because people are saying yes to fair trade.
Saying yes to her.
And I don’t know her name…sometimes the card tells me who made it, sometimes it doesn’t. But I see her face, and I know she’s from Swaziland…and, more importantly, God sees her and He knows everything about her, and He loves her.
And so I whisper up a prayer, and I thank Him for her and ask Him to take care of her and her family, and He knows.
I LOVE that.
We ALL matter to Him. Every single one of us.
Being part of Fair Trade Friday is a small thing that I can do to make a difference in lives. I might not be able to change the entire world, but I can be a little part of helping to change someone’s story.
image courtesy of Fair Trade Friday
Fair Trade Friday recently sent me a box of fair trade gifts…as usual, every single item was amazing. Between that box and the monthly boxes delivered to me, there’s a lot of fair trade goodness floating around my house. I have plans for some of the items to be gifts, and I do keep some for myself because, of course. Every item is incredible and beautiful. 🙂
But there’s a part of me that wants to share the love and let you know just how amazing and beautiful these items…and the stories behind them…are.
And so I decided to give away my entire June box. (And, oh, it’s a GOOD one!) One of you will win all of this!
Included in it…a produce bag from Caring for Korah (this is such a cool bag made from a recycled t-shirt!), pottery earrings from Back to Africa, a paper bead bracelet from Embracing Hope Ethiopia, a paper diary from Village Artisan, and a Father’s Day card from The Refugee Project.
You can use the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post to enter. (U.S. residents only, please.)
And even if you don’t win, I hope you’ll jump over and check out the online store here. You can join the wait list for a subscription or pick out something cute and know that you’re making a difference in a life.
A huge thank you to Mercy House Kenya and Fair Trade Friday for the use of their images. AND for the box of life-changing gifts. AND for their hearts for changing lives around the world.
Let’s all be part of this life-changing story! (<====Tweet this.)
Danielle says
July 6, 2015 at 9:25 amThanks for sharing this! I love the Micah 6:8 poster. That verse has sifted down into my heart and calls me to action. We love the Mercy House and have been praying for them for a long time.
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:04 amThanks so much for sharing that…I love that poster (and verse!) too. 🙂 Blessings!
Rosanne Bowman says
July 6, 2015 at 10:03 amThanks for sharing this Mel! This is something close to my heart – a way we can help even if we can’t actually go to these places! 🙂
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:06 amYES…a way to help even if we can’t be there. Thanks for stopping by, friend! 🙂
Robbin Coleman says
July 6, 2015 at 5:04 pmWhat a beautiful giveaway with a beautiful message!
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:06 amThank you, Robbin! Blessings to you. 🙂
Carrie says
July 6, 2015 at 6:45 pmAmazing message!
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:08 amIt is, isn’t it? I just love how God is transforming lives through FTF. Thanks so much for stopping by!
generalkat says
July 6, 2015 at 7:19 pmI am astounded at the beauty of the products from this giveaway. The women are gifted and their products worthy of a fair trade Friday. Thank you for opening my eyes to this great endeavor.
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:13 amI love what you said…these women ARE so talented and the things they make are just so beautiful. It’s a gift to be even a little part of telling them they have worth and are loved. Thanks for being here. Blessings! 🙂
Lourdes Agosto says
July 7, 2015 at 3:10 amHow amazing are the stories behind these gifts! Thank you for such a lovely giveaway and for sharing a wonderful way to help these women!
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:14 amI’m so glad you stopped by, Lourdes! Blessings to you. 🙂
graceglimmers says
July 7, 2015 at 6:07 amI read about this via Twitter…Rachel Lundy…and now you. Sounds fantastic! I love shopping and even more so when there is a reason behind it…supporting women. Love love love! Jenn
Mel Schroeder says
July 7, 2015 at 9:17 amMe, too. I feel like it’s win-win. Purchasing these items truly changes lives. And I love pretty things…and, even more, having such tangible reminders that God is redeeming. Thanks for being here, friend! 🙂
Karen says
July 7, 2015 at 8:24 pmBeautiful post, Mel! Your heart shines through brightly and another voice is sounding for these precious women – thank you! I’m blessed to be here. Sharing your post with my readers in tomorrow’s newsletter.
Mel Schroeder says
July 8, 2015 at 9:22 amOh, thank you so much for sharing and helping to spread the word. 🙂 Thanks for being here, too…blessings!
flaviu says
July 7, 2015 at 10:17 pmWhat a fantastic box of goodies, and for such a great cause! I don’t usually do monthly subscriptions, but I may have to reconsider with FTF. I really love their heart.
Mel Schroeder says
July 8, 2015 at 9:26 amI feel the same way. FTF is the one monthly subscription I let myself have…I feel like everyone wins, and I love knowing that my money is going to support these amazing women. Now I just want to hug them all! Blessings to you…thanks for being here. 🙂
Lisa - Blogghetti says
July 8, 2015 at 9:47 amOh my gosh, this is such a great cause and I love your post. I love the basis of this organization to change lives of so many. Thank you for enlightening me.
Angela (@TheWakingTulip) says
July 8, 2015 at 10:29 pmThank you for shining your light on this — Fair Trade Friday is phenomenal! Blessings and joy to you!