Fair Trade Friday is special this week as I am about to go TO the Fair Trade Federation conference next week to be with many others fair-traders and those supportive of the industry.

I am honored to speak while there, to those interested in developing artisan groups, on the mechanics of how that works. I am looking forward to sharing many great stories from amazing groups that are pioneers in the fair trade industry, in the coming weeks.

As we have learned a little about fair trade together, I am interested to see if there are questions for those in the industry that you might have. Now is your chance to  let me know what you want me to find out and/or what groups or types of products you are looking for!

Happy Fair Trade Friday!

I was studying our small group lesson and this verse hit me:

^“6 They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.” Judges 6:3

This means that the Israelites not only did not wipe out the other groups God had commanded them to, but had married into those groups. What really hit me below the belt was this:

Giving their sons to these women changed the nation of Israel from worshipping the One True God, to worshipping other gods. The women had influence and changed the nation.

Forever.

Lest we think we cannot make a difference, or change the way things are: we can.

All throughout Judges it talks about how the “sons were given to their daughters,” resulting in a change in “who” was worshipped.

Girls.

We have influence-for good or bad. We can change a NATION for the King, should we opt to do so. It is hard when there are so many things swirling around us, kids to be chased, laundry to be folded, three meals a day to take care of, parents to care for…to think that any of it matters.

It does.

It mattered in the lifetime of those women that married into the Israel peoples. It matters now. You can change your family heritage, cycle, and legacy, for the Kingdom and His glory today and tomorrow. Let’s use our influence in our families for His glory and the good of those that come after us.

Please welcome Lanie Beth to Fair Trade Fridays!

Hi there! It’s a honor to be able to talk, or write rather, for a few moments on Kristi’s blog today! My name is Lanie Beth Sinclair and I blog over at A Grateful Girl’s Guide to Style. I’m a mom to a toddler girl and a wife to a 6’8’’ man. When Brad, my husband, and I first started talking to people about joining in the fight against trafficking, I was super nervous. Taking a stand for something, anything, generally means that you’ll be studied, analyzed and scrutinized. Sometimes those are deserved but most of the time people just want to find something wrong with your ‘plan’. That and tell you why you should be doing more. Oh, and trust me…they will.

It’s frustrating to say the least, however we try to stay focused on the fact that while we cannot change the world alone, we are still responsible for our part. And my part cannot just be to cry about the human situation in many parts of our world. Emotion is not a substitute for action, but lucky for us, a lot of times emotion propels us into action. Below are three places to start if you are a SAHM like me and want to do your part where you live to fight trafficking.

1. Pray for these peoples. No better place to start than on your knees. They need help in all forms and our Lord is mighty to save. Pray often. Pray hard. Pray specifically.

2. Research. Get to know the numbers and figures so that you can have educated conversations. Be honest in your knowledge and place in this journey to justice but yo have to know the nitty gritty before you can understand the depth of this problem. This site is a great place to start.

3. Be a conscious consumer. Understand where the products you are buying come from. Much how we scrutinize the diets of our families with organic and healthy options, we must also pay attention to companies that practice economic sustainability through their supply chains. Companies like Freeset. They are where we should be putting our money. Not for Sale has a great app called Free2Work that rates various product sectors on their supply chain transparency. It’s a wonderful starting point to get started into personal education of trafficking. On the whole, if laborers are trafficked, they are more than likely sold for sex as well. For that very reason, buying from companies that pay dignified wages to their employees is vital.

I hope this quick expose’ into Joining the Fight 101 was helpful. In a situation like we are in, the little things add up to make a huge difference. Don’t discount yourself from the fight b/c you are not sure where to start. To quote Jill Morris, ‘Do whatever you do in the direction of freedom.’

I am proud to be in this fight with each and everyone of you; onward for freedom!

I bring before you a plea, to cry out before the Lord for a miracle that is truly God-sized. We have one month to set aside and consecrate our prayers on behalf of Freeset and it’s continued work.
I ask that you post this, repost this, tweet it, and more….on behalf of freedom.

He is able to do exceedingly more than we can ask or imagine.

And that is what we are asking.

If you feel so compelled, please set reminders on your phone/computer for 10 am EST to pray for a few minutes daily, for the next month, for Freeset and our family of FREED women there.

The latest from Kerry, the founder/director:

“For those of you who have been praying about the hearing (at the Corporation Building Department) yesterday:

Freeset had a complaint laid against it by the local Corporation for constructing what is considered a temporary structure on the terrace of our building at 172 Ramesh Dutta Street. More than 5 years ago we attempted to gain permission lawfully to cover the terrace but were always met with the demand for bribes which we were not prepared to do. After considering things carefully and feeling short of options we elected to pray and construct and for 5 years have not had a problem (temporary construction is common without permission). At the last election a new Councillor representing a new party was elected. The first thing she said to me was,” I hear the last Councillor helped you which means I will not. Since then we have had continual problems with her.

It is hard to know what to do at times because things are not black and white – we need real wisdom as to how to move forward on lots of things. Recently our Councillor laid a complaint about the construction to building department division of the Corporation. Even though the Corporation respect what we do they told we they were obligated to follow through with the complaint because the complaint had come from the Councillor herself.

At Freeset we have been praying for a favourable hearing.

Sadly, I have to say the hearing was not favourable at all. The lady judge couldn’t have been more difficult. At one stage Mina (Mina came to the hearing to speak on behalf of the women) {one of the first Freeset women} said “please do not give a demolition order as it could mean lots of women will return to the street” – on which the Judge said – “let them go back to the street.”

The Judge will give her decision in exactly one months time. She gave no indication that she will be lenient so it would be a real miracle if she allows us to regularise the renovations.

I keep wondering if I could have made better decisions in the past and no doubt I could have. I have tried to make what I believe are the right ones.

If in a months time she rules against us we can still go to a higher court which will take time, stress and money. I have to admit it would be nice not to have to go that far.

Over the years I’ve learnt to live with the stress that comes with working in this city I love amongst this community which I love even more. Please pray for a miracle – we need one. Demolition would close screen printing down and severely affect business which in turn effects freedom. Remember freedom is our business and that’s what we are trying not only to protect but to increase.

Thank you for bringing this before God.

#freedomprayers
www.freesetusa.com

Over the last few months we have shared what fair trade is and what it means to us. Some powerful stories and challenges have been written and taken to heart.

One thing I personally have taken to heart is the need for those that are wanting to help their neighbors, and people they have ministered to in a tangible, sustainable way. I have blessedly been involved in the hand-made, fair trade artisan/producer community for over a decade now and love it. It is such a joy to be a part of something that is beyond yourself.

So..here it comes……

{Suprise!!}

Out of that desire has come an eBook that I hope will assist in the lives of those looking to make a sustainable difference. It is my hope and prayer that the words, forms, templates, and ideas that have been tapped out by a little netbook keyboard, will make huge taps in the lives and hearts of those that need Truth and need sustainable income.

It is my joy to introduce to you:

Sustainability

Almost every insight included in Sustainability is born out of questions from artisans, volunteers, and more. I hope it is a help and resource to you and those you know who might need it. Fair trade IS about sustainability and continued income in a dignified way.

It has been a fast paced spring for us. One with change in our family, travel for both my husband and I, and great ministry strides.

But I had hit a wall.

I was reading a blog post about how motherhood should not be about surviving, but thriving. “Thriving? Where is this girl?” I thought. I couldn’t even point you back to the post, but it was a reminder to me that some things needed to change for me personally, if I was doing my best to survive.

I had (and have) been impatient with my children. Less tolerant. Probably not a fun mom to be around. I remember when we first got married we had some friends that were (already) parents and I felt like they just disliked being parents all together. I wondered how that happened, when so many people just pray for children to begin with. How could they squander such a gift?

Well. Hello pot. Meet kettle.

Experience is a tough teacher and I now understand (and I’ve heard this is only the beginning!). It doesn’t give me a pass, mind you, but I do understand (now), how relentless arguing and negotiation with kids can wear you down.

So how am I looking to make changes? Several key things that, as we have studied the Israelite exodus and wandering in the desert, I am seeing more and more of myself as I read: when you aren’t in the Word and actively talking to Jesus regularly, praying, listening, and being still…things begin to go south. Quick. It happens without fail every time with the Israelites and those that come after them.

I look in the mirror in the mornings and instead of seeing the image that God has created, I see a tired, rushed, too busy woman. Who should have gone to bed at 10 instead of 12. And spent some time in the Word. And prayed in the car, instead of listening to country music. (NO condemnation at all to my country fan friends, it was just not helping ME!)

Our time with God (or lack thereof) vastly affects those around us. I am sure each Israelite family didn’t get up each morning thinking their worship of foreign gods affected their neighbor.

But it did. And mine does too.

I read and re read this post, allowing the Lord to speak to my heart and soak up His truth. He has to matter more than emails, calls, ministry, parenting, and our kids. My time with Him has to be there everyday or I am not living in His splendor. And neither are those around me.

For now, I need to increase the margin in my life, sleep a bit more, email a bit less, and return to the One who made me. So for those who see me regularly, please ask if I am going to bed early, spending time in the Word, and not adding extra things to my life. I need you to ask and help hold me accountable.

I want to glorify Him and show His splendor, not squander what He has made in me, and those He has given to me for this time.

We have looked at and learned about fair trade over the last few months.

What have you learned?

What has been good? bad?

Is there something you would like discussed? Explained? (or something I missed!!)

Add a comment below and let me know!

Happy Friday!!

photo credit

My value and worth had been challenged. “if this……or if you…that…” was said. My stomach was rolling, my heart beating fast. My head spinning, thinking “will I ever be good enough?”

Yes.

I already am…and so are you.

Friends, it is not about how much laundry we do, how neatly our clothes are folded, how combed our children’s hairs are, how much money we make, or the size of our house.

Your value is not wrapped up in any of those things. It may feel as if they are, but they are not. Not really.

Your value is in Jesus.

He thinks the world of you. Who you are, what He’s created you to be, and all He has planned for you (and the generations after you).  He smiles just at the thought of you. He knows how many hairs are on your head (and your children’s head, whose hair simply won’t stay put!) and has fearfully and wonderfully made you.

Satan may knock on my door (and yours) and try to convince us otherwise, but my value is not on things that have value here on earth. It cannot be measured by earthly standards and cannot be paid in earthly wages.

You are valuable. Just the way you are. He sees you. Sees you through His eyes. You are worth more than rubies and I love you for it.

Please welcome Ashley for Fair Trade Fridays as she introduces Give1Save1 and a new member of their family…to come!

For the week of April 29 we are the featured family for Give1Save1.  What is Give1Save1?  Every week a family adopting from either Africa or Haiti is featured and every dollar given during that time goes directly to that family’s adoption.  You give $1 (or more) and you play a part in removing a child from an orphanage and giving them a family and a future – Save 1.

• Pray for the mental, physical, and emotional health of our baby and her birth mother
• Pray for the circumstances around her abandoment.  We are praying that she is relinquished out of love and in a manner that minimizes complications in our adoption process.
• Pray for our family as we wait.  While I have no physical signs of pregnancy, I do feel like a momma that is 3 months past due.  With adoption there is no guarantees in how long this will take.  Please pray for our patience and trust in God’s timing

2.  Give

• We appreciate every single dollar that is donated to help us fulfill our calling and are humbled by your particpation
• Money raised will help buy plane tickets for our two trips.  In total we will be purchase four tickets and will have short notice for each trip.  The approximate travel cost is $8000.  We are also praying for the opportunity to take Hudson on the first trip.
• We are also trying to save money for my maternity leave.  I would like to take 3 months off work as I did with my boys.  Beyond using vacation time, there is no paid maternity leave for adoption.

3.  Spread the word

• The success of this fundraiser is directly related to the number of people who know about it.
• Please share via email, facebook, twitter, blogs, and pinterest from April 29-May 5.

We are very grateful for your participation in our adoption. More than anything we covet your continued prayers for our family. We look forward to the day you get to meet our daughter or see a picture of her beautiful face.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father”  Romans 8:15

  Ashley Hill

I was praying today, after a potentially amazing opportunity the Lord opened today to free more women from human trafficking. I was having a conversation with Him, asking Him to work this out. I said “Lord, I’m just trying to free 10,000 women.”

Then He stopped me.

“Only I can free 10,000 women,” came the gentle reply. Yes. I need that re-calibration. All we do-whether we are raising kids, investing in schools, teaching, raising disciples, all of it…ALL of it…

Is Him. Only Him.

He does it. He saves. He frees, He heals. He is the ultimate parent. He is the best teacher. He is the most amazing leader. Without Him, we are nothing. I am nothing.

I smiled and revised my prayer “Lord, You know the desires of my heart. You have a heart for the poor and exploited. Would You show your glory, in a way that can only be explained as You? For freedom. For 10,000 women. They are already Yours.”

We were challenged this week in our Sunday service to see things through His eyes, with His lens. I want to see those around me and those He has given me a heart for, through His eyes. They are all His…my family, my freedom family…you.

Praising Him today that you are His and I can give you to Him to care for and pray for.

What reminders have you had lately that various things are His?