Something exciting....

A giveaway!!!!! (sorry to all of you who had a moment there - still no referral yet :)

Since my family is still in the thick of the wait - the time has come to do something fun.
(and no, I don't mean blogging in rhyming format)
I am going to highlight an AMAZING ministry and combine it with a giveaway for one lucky reader!

Learning about ministries, doing work that impacts the lives of the vulnerable, has been one great side-effect happening on our adoption journey. It has been eye-opening.

The ministry that I am highlighting today is in Ethiopia, Connected in Hope . It began in 2011 and in summary - the ministry provides income alternatives (weaving programs) to women who were formerly fuel wood carriers. 

Fuel wood carriers do backbreaking work for minimal pay (from my reading about $3/wk).......

Connected in Hope empowers these women, giving them the opportunity to make a fair wage. Day care for the children of weavers is provided, address basic health needs and provide education (nutrition, child development, literacy & hygiene). You can click on the hyper link above to visit the website that has a blog, shop and all sorts of info about the ministry and read about the weavers.

It is family preservation and orphan prevention at it's finest. Love it!


The women learn the weaving trade and make gorgeous scarves, such as this.......

In learning about ministries, like Connect in Hope, I start to realize there is a story behind everything purchased. Whether good or bad. Someone touched that product. Someone made that product. Even small purchasing decisions can make a difference in the lives of others.

Think of the impact all of us could have with that in mind, going into this Christmas season. If we used our purchasing power intentionally. Purposefully spending our money on gifts. Gifts that not only our loved ones will enjoy, but that will positively effect the lives of others at the same time. Something of quality? Something with impact? Something with a story? Amazing.

Back to the giveaway....I am giving away ONE of these two beautiful Connected in Hope scarves pictured below. The winner will get to choose their favorite for the perfect wardrobe accent :)

However, there is a catch.

My giveaway does require something of you.....your anonymity.

In order to enter the giveaway you must step up and leave a comment on the blog (telling me your scarf choice should you win) That comment will be your entry into the drawing. I also have a coveted double entry available (because who doesn't love extra credit?) if you also include in your comment when you started reading my blog.

The winner will be announced on the blog Tuesday, Nov. 12th!

Heather grey w/ black stripes

Teal w/ camel

 

 One last thing. 

It has been about a week since this fun idea first popped into my head. However, figuring out what scarf choices to order/give as options and also finding time to sit down to write this post was a huge holdup. Looking at my week, I knew that today (Thursday afternoon, when Joel was napping) was my best bet for the time I needed to make it happen, based on my schedule.

This morning, with Connected in Hope already on the brain, I visited with another local adoptive mom. She adopted a 4 yr. old daughter from Ethiopia, through our same agency, and just got home a few weeks ago. (Joel was pretty excited to play with for her 1st ever play time visit at Chick-fil-a!) Although I've just gotten to know her during the last months of their 2 1/2 yr. adoption journey, it was amazing to see the them together. Her daughter is a beautiful addition to that family. It was also so encouraging to hear first hand that it was worth the time spent in the brutal wait.

I still find myself amazed at how God has placed others in similar situations around us for support and to learn from. So incredible.

You know what else is incredible? That mama brought me a gift from her recent trip.

That fact alone was a surprise.

What was it? A scarf.

A scarf purchased directly from Connected in Hope in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I couldn't have been more shocked in the timing of it all (seriously, the same day as this post?) - because even though I am doing this ministry highlight, and had purchased the scarves for the giveaway, I did not yet own one myself. 

That, my friends, brought chills and encouragement that can not be described.
The kind of encouragement this waiting mama needed.

All day I've been left singing - Bless the Lord O My Soul. And in case you haven't heard it......

10,000 Reasons

Matt Redman

Let the commenting commence - I can't wait to give away one of these scarves!
*Reminder to all you RSS feed people, you will have to visit the actual blog-site to comment :)