We have a winner!

Congrats, Ali! & THANK YOU, everyone who donated! We are so thankful for all of our sponsors & participants! You have truly been a blessing to our growing family. 

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17

Let's talk about adoption...

In today's busy, self-centered life, it is easy for things like adoption to be pushed to the wayside. There are many (somewhat legitimate) reasons as to why people cannot/will not adopt (ps: I'm not saying every family is called to adopt, they're not), but my heart breaks for 153 million orphans & vulnerable children who need our help... And when I hear statistics that say the number of international adoptions has dropped 60% in the last six years, I'd say we're failing to hear their cries and identify with their lives. 

Just know, this is written from a Christian perspective to Christian readers. Because for us, dear reader, adoption changes everything. Adoption is so intricately rooted in the gospel that we cannot ignore it nor take it for granted. Keeping in mind that each child is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), we must not simply care for, but chase after the forgotten and the undesirables. 

Let's begin by saying: Christians are not called to adopt, they are commanded (Isaiah 58:10; Deuteronomy 24:17,19; James 1:27).

>>> READ MORE HERE!

Fundraiser Giveaway!

From Artistic Adoption: Crown of Splendor - Grey ($32.00).

From Haddon & Co: Boy's Bow Tie ($20.00).

From Handmade Colectibles: Handmade Felt Roses ($45.00).

From Echoes of Mercy: a Print of your choice ($10.00).

From Olive Handmade: a $40.00 gift certificate.

From His Love Apparel: United by Love Grocery Christian Red Tote ($12.50).

From Handmade By Me: Origami Bird Tea/Dish Towel ($18.00).

From Mercy Ink: 5 Prints of your choice ($25.00).

From 147 Million Orphans: A T-Shirt for you & your child ($37.00).

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HOW TO ENTER:

Y'all should be pros by now. :) A donation of $5 equals one entry. For every $5 you donate, please comment below once. For example, if you donate $25, you can comment five separate times. After you have donated, you can tweet, facebook, or blog about the giveaway for another chance to win! Winner will be chosen randomly on May 27th... Winner takes all! 

Thank you for helping bring our girl home!

PS- please take some time to look around the wonderful shops of all of our sponsors! 

The family is God's design for children.

In Genesis 1:28, the Lord blessed the family & instructs us to "be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, & subdue it." God establishes the family as the foundational institution of His created world -- the main context through which the next generation tangibly experiences the Lord's grace, love, discipline, & compassion. This is what Satan most despises & seeks to destroy. 

Through our earthly family, God gives us glimpses into the relationship that we have with Him because of the gospel. He is our Heavenly Father. As believers, we have been adopted into God's family & given a new name, a new family, & a new future (John 1:12). Over & over in Scripture, the Lord refers to us as His children & He as our Abba Father, our Daddy. As kids, our relationship with God the Father is first understood & shaped by our interactions with our own father. 

It is also through the family that real discipleship takes place. God did not instruct youth pastors to bring up their youth group in the nature & admonition of the Lord; He gave that command to fathers (Ephesians 6:4). When it comes to the responsibility of disciplining & shaping the next generation, Scripture speaks directly to parents (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). 

If parents are not there to love, instruct, & shape their children, who will be? We must be there for them. We must fight for them.

-Jonny Carr

winner winner, chicken dinner!

Congrats, Megan!! Email us (rylie.craft@gmail.com) with your info & we'll get those goodies to you ASAP! 

Again, THANK YOU to everyone who donated! We really can't say it enough. Since this week was such a success (we raised almost $400, in one week!), we will be hosting another giveaway with even more prizes! The next fundraiser giveaway will be for the mamas/homemakers! I promise, you won't want to miss it. Look for it, starting May 20th!

Gift Guide: Fair Trade Mother's Day.

Do you have a mother? If so, Mother's Day is coming up, & what better way to celebrate than by giving her a handmade goodie from Africa?! Not only will she have an adorable item to wear, share, or use, but the purchase will also be helping a brother or sister in Africa. It's like the gift that keeps on giving. 

For the fashionesta: 31 Bits is the perfect gift for the mama who loves accessories. 31 Bits is a socially minded business designed to give internally displaced women in Northern Uganda an opportunity to counter poverty. By giving their beneficiaries access to the international market, they are able to earn an instant income, providing homes, food, and education for their families. Their program equips women by providing literacy education, financial and vocational training, holistic care, and strong support systems, empowering individuals to further their careers and attain social equity. Learn more here.

 For the on-the-go mom: No. 41's signature bag is the perfect "everything bag." (...not to mention their adorable aprons!) No. 41 started on a whim and a prayer in March 2012, with the intent of teaching young women from the Noel Orphanage in Gisenyi, Rwanda (ages 18-25) not only to sew, a culturally relevant trade that would always sustain them, but to give back to their community through a feeding program supporting local schools. Learn more here.

For the mover & the shaker: Sseko sandals are adorable, and their possibilities are endless. For a daring mom who wants to always keep things fresh, this is the way to go. Sseko began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young women to continue on to university. Sseko has graduated three classes of women. Every woman who has graduated from Sseko is currently pursuing her college degree. In addition to our university-bound team, Sseko also employs a full-time team of women from all walks of life. By creating an environment of dignity, honor, creativity and dedication, Sseko Designs provides the opportunity for women in East Africa to end the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable society. Learn more here.

 For the happy homemaker: Noonday Collection has a little bit of everything. From journals to tea towels, wooden salad servers and more! The passion at Noonday Collection is to connect you with the lives of artisans struggling for a better future while styling you along the way. Fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. You, too, can be a voice for the oppressed! Learn more here. 

For the world traveler: Whether it be a passport holder or a camera strap, His Imbaraga has you covered. His Imbaraga is a business located in Gisenyi, Rwanda producing handcrafted leather products. It was designed to support the community of Gisenyi by providing men with a sustainable job and allowing the proceeds to benefit the greater community. When you shop at His Imbaraga you are truly purchasing with a purpose. We can’t wait to share all of the exciting ways we will be able to give back to the community with your help! Learn more here.