share the gift of HOPE

This Christmas make a difference with the presents you choose to give! You can not only find a great gift for your friends or family but you can be spreading the gift of HOPE around the world this Christmas. Above is a picture of Elena. She has been orphaned and sexually violated because of the wars of Congo. She currently lives in Dina Center orphanage in Goma, Congo. Sponsored by eXile international. My friend, Bethany Haley, started eXile International and took this picture of Elena and shared her story with me. I am going to be hosting an open house on December 3rd from 7-9pm that will have jewelry from eXile International, as well as from KEZA and from my Ida's Modern Heirlooms. If you are interested in coming, leave a comment with your email and I will send you an invite!

Even if you can't make it to my open house, I would love for you to consider any of these great options for those on your Christmas list this year (my sister-in-law Angie past many of these on to me)!!

The Hunger Site (has a great selection of gifts for male, female and even kids and you choose on what you want to support from hunger, children's health, breast cancer, etc.)
Bongo Java (both local and fair trade AND great coffee!!)
Fair Indigo (again great for the whole family)
Ten Thousand Villages
Handcrafting Justice
TOMS shoes
Other great options include gifts from non-profits gift catalogs. Check these out...
Heifer International
World Vision
Samaritan's Purse
You can also check out Cool People Care every Friday when they recommend "Gifts of Impact" to remind us all that "Christmas is not your birthday."
Would love to hear any great ideas you may have for how to spread HOPE this Christmas!!

TOMS Shoes

If you are looking for a gift that not only gives but gives back, then TOMS shoes are the gift you should buy this season. When you buy a pair of TOMS shoes, you will not only get a pair of shoes but a child in need of shoes will also get a pair. Blake Mycoskie founded TOMS (short for tomorrow) shoes after visiting Argentina and seeing children in desparate need of shoes, a basic neccesity.

Here is what TOMS shoes has to say about this worthy cause...
Why shoes?
Most children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or just getting around, these children are at risk.

Walking is often the primary mode of transportation in developing countries. Children can walk for miles to get food, water, shelter and medical help. Wearing shoes literally enables them to walk distances that aren't possible barefoot.

Wearing shoes prevents feet from getting cuts and sores on unsafe roads and from contaminated soil. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected. The leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted parasites which penetrate the skin through open sores. Wearing shoes can prevent this and the risk of amputation.

Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

There is one simple solution...SHOES.

Of the planet's six billion people, four billion live in conditions inconceivable to many. Lets take a step towards a better tomorrow.
Above photo and website for TOMS shoes found here.

Caregiver Kits

(Picture from here.)
Over the next couple of weeks, I plan to post ideas about different oppurtunities to serve others or buy Christmas presents that either impact the less fortunate of our world or offer fare wages to those making the products. You may already have your Christmas shopping done and that is fine but this first example is a simple way to reach out to others across the world with your family or a group of friends.

This first idea is working with World Vision.
The Need
Who’s in need? 33 million people living with HIV and AIDS
Where are they? Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Who’s helping them? World Vision-trained volunteer caregivers
What can you do? Build Caregiver Kits filled with basic supplies!

The opportunity
Assembling Caregiver Kits is an effective, hands-on way to:
-Show Christ’s unconditional love to those suffering from AIDS
-Equip caregivers with a year’s worth of the practical materials they need
-Encourage caregivers to continue caring selflessly for their neighbors
-Draw your church closer together by serving those in need

Second Avenue Trade Company

These are a pair of earrings that I bought from a new fair trade company last week.
My friend Linda invited me to a party that was introducing a new fair trade company that is based out of Nashville. It was a really fun evening with musical artists playing while we checked out the items for sale. We also learned about Global Support Mission that is sponsored through this company. They are currently selling products, including jewelry, paper products, home accents, and other products, from Nepal and Uganda. You can learn more and even shop by visiting Second Avenue Trade Company. I was simply amazed by all of their beautiful hand-crafted products and still cannot believe that the prices are fair trade. I am always looking for options like these to buy products that I know are helping people who are living in extreme poverty. Below is a picture of Victor who lives at the Home Again Orphanage supported by Global Support Mission.