Fair Trade Friday - Compassion International

In light of the recent Executive Order by President Trump on immigration and refugees, I feel led to talk about something that is important to me.  This is not really a political post, as I am not going to share my thoughts on the EO or the President.  However, it seems people are struggling with the desire to help, but unsure of how to make a difference.

Many people feel that the only way to truly help those in need, refugees, in particular, is to bring them to the USA.  I am not entirely sold on this idea.  I feel it is better to help people where they are, so they, in turn, can help those around them.  Where did this idea come from?  My thinking was shifted after reading a book called, "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself " by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.  Now, I realize that refugees are not simply trying to escape poverty and therefore are a special situation, but do you still not think that they would prefer to stay in their own country if they could do so safely?  Could you imagine being told that you were going to be relocated to Zambia for instance?  A country where you do not understand the language or the culture and told to start over?

Immigration programs, on the other hand, take years of applications and interviews for a person to be considered.  Most of those accepted are the brightest or those with the most potential for success once they immigrate.  What if that potential could be applied in their own country?

I believe we need to empower people to take a stand for their rights and to equip them to make a difference.  In every corner of the world, there is poverty, oppression, and suffering.  How can we make a difference?

One way would be to shop Fair Trade.  Making sure that the items we purchase are made by people making a living wage in their respected countries.  Is the $5 t-shirt from Target a good deal if it means keeping a worker in bondage because of low wages?

Here is a link to a list of ethically made products.

Another way would be to sponsor a child through a reputable organization, such as Compassion International.  According to their website, "We partner with churches and denominations in Africa, Asia, Central America and the Caribbean, and South America to help them provide children with the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be." They are making a global impact.

We have seen one success story of Compassion when we look at Maureen, Co-Founder of the Mercy House, Kenya.  Compassion gave Maureen the means to get an education and to rise above the extreme poverty and hopelessness she experienced growing up in a slum.  She has gone on to recognize a need and to meet that need in Kenya.  She is making Kenya a better place.

Thank you for listening today as I shared my heart with you.  Take a stand, make a difference, empower someone today and change the world!

Fair Trade Friday - Mercy House

I am going to take over the boys blog on Friday's to bring awareness to the struggles of the poor in our world.  Many of you know that I have gone to Kenya on mission trips for the past two years.  This experience has changed me and my perception of what true severe poverty looks like.

In the village I visit in Kenya, the people do not have electricity or running water.  Their material possessions are few, but thankfully, seem to have enough to eat.  Their joy is overflowing; their love and dependence on Jesus has left me wondering if I am truly the poor one in the room.

A few hours away though are the slums of Kenya.  One such slum is Kibera, the largest slum in the Nairobi area.  This is where poverty so extreme is a daily struggle.  Young girls often prostitute themselves just to be able to feed their families.  Education is not a constant because the fees are too high.  There are stories of hope, though, and life change is taking place.

I was recently invited to learn more about an organization called The Mercy House.  They exist to rescue young girls, some as young as 12, who are pregnant from the slums of Nairobi.  They provide a safe home, prenatal care, and help teach the women to care for their baby and to learn life skills for when they return to the slums.  It is a two-year program.

Here is a video that shows one rescue story.  It is a girl named Lillian.  In the video, you hear Lillian telling her story, and you watch her rescue from the slums.  It can be hard to listen to, but so important for us to understand the struggles people face around the world.

https://vimeo.com/189926909

 Now that you have heard a real story and seen images from a life different than ours, you have a response to make.  We will all respond in some way, whether we do nothing, pray, choose to help educate the world around us, or something else; a response is required.

Mercy House offers hope to the women, like Lillian, whom they rescue.  They teach life skills, but also offer employment opportunities.  The women from the slums are really no different than us, although their circumstances are.  They want to feed and care for their families.  Mercy House is helping to provide a sustainable source of income for the women, often times higher than the average wage in their area.

One of the easiest ways that we can help women around the world is by shopping from fair trade locations.

Mercy House Global works with organizations all over the world that are empowering women through fair trade production.  Knowing where products are made, who made them, and the story of life change behind the product is empowering to all women.

Take a look and make a difference!