The Baskets are HERE!!

I received an awesome package in the mail today!  Not only were there baskets (in 5 different sizes) but these very cute clutch-type purses.  The coolest part is that each of the items comes with a note about the woman that made them.  Some of them have lost their husbands to cancer or alcoholism, and some of them have lost their husbands to other women.  Either way, these ladies are left with no means to take care of their children.  Adonai is teaching them to make things that they can sell out of very accessible raw materials. 

These women live up in the mountains of Guatemala where there are an abundance of pine trees.  These baskets are made out of dried pine needles.  The little clutches are made from material that they use to make their "corte" or skirts.  None of the items are perfect - they are handmade by women who need a little "boost" in order to survive. 

This project is just in the infant stages so we would LOVE to give them a little headstart.  If you are interested in "pre-buying" any of these type of items, we will bring them back to the States when we return in February.  If you would like to see the items in person, please let me know!  As I look at the cute, little baskets and clutches, I am thinking of all of the fun things you could tuck inside to give as gifts.  Hmmm . . . maybe I don't want to share!!!

 

Guatemala

Our family is returning to Guatemala this January.  We have purchased our tickets and are making our plans.  We will be gone from January 12th through February 6th.  Our original intent was to take a team with us to Guatemala again this year, but the Lord has other plans for us.  Our heart is to provide another retreat for the workers at the Home of Life where we serve.  They really enjoyed getting away together last year and we wanted to bless them in this way again.  We are not sure that our family alone can manage the Home for 2 nights so we are really seeking the Lord for His guidance and direction.  We have a few options but are still working out the details.  More on this to come!

The other ministry that we serve with (Adonai International Ministries) has started a new project called the “Widows’ Project.”  They are training women in a poor village to make baskets as a way to provide for their families.  The ministry is buying their baskets and then selling them to earn the money back.  To read more about this project and the women that are involved, follow this link: http://rachaelslifepouredout.blogspot.com/.  

We would like to help facilitate the sale of these baskets.  If you are interested in “pre-buying” baskets, we will deliver them to you when we arrive home in February. The widows’ situations look desperate and hopeless, but, as a part of this project, they are learning about the God of hope. They are all alone as they try to raise their children and provide for their daily needs, but they are learning about the Lord who promises to never leave or forsake them. We are excited to see their lives change as they meet the One who holds them in the palm of His hand.