ALL things

Welcome to Day 2 of the Noonday Blog Train.  I just want to begin with a brief introduction.  I am humbled and honored to be a Noonday Ambassador representing artisans around the world.   Creating a marketplace for them in my hometown is such a privilege.  Still not sure how I became an Ambassador when my credentials include: talkative, likes to tell stories and voted Best Dressed in High School.  Y'all, I don't even know!  I guess it just goes to show God can use ALL THINGS for His glory!  So thankful for the founders of Noonday, the artisans and Ambassadors who use their God given talents, gifts, expertise, and treasure doing kingdom work; spending their time being 'a mover'.  I just heard Jen Hatmaker speak a few days ago here in Birmingham and it renewed my passion for the Noonday vision and the over 1,000 artisans we represent.  Jen asked so many tough questions that I am still wrestling to answer.  Here is a sampling...What does it look like to follow Jesus in real life?  Where did Jesus go?  Who did Jesus spend time with?  What keeps you up at night?  What makes you say 'that's not right'?  She closed with 'Jesus is close to the broken-hearted.  That is where he is at work!'  

It is midnight and I am writing this blog...so injustice, poverty, hunger, orphans and oppressed rate highest on my list.  On my heart are the HIV positive ladies in Ethiopia who are ostracized by their families and society.  Most resort to begging in order to survive.  One of the ladies (I will never forget) has two small children and was hitting a large rock on the side of the road trying to make gravel to sell to support herself and children.   As a mother this breaks my heart.  The founders of the artisan group in Ethiopia asked these tough questions and said 'that's not right' and  prayed for God to lead them to do more.  They saw the greatest need was a consistent source of income.  So they created the jewelry workshop using upcycled artillery from previous war conflicts (talk about using ALL things).  The next greatest need is HIV treatment.  This amazed me, but once those living with HIV are on the appropriate drug regime, the virus becomes undetectable in their bodies!  So they ensure each artisan has the proper regime to keep them healthy.  

Here's a little more info:  In the mountains of Northern Ethiopia, farmers supply local bead makers with artillery shells discovered on their lands following former war conflicts. The village artisans melt down these shells using ancient techniques to create delicate beads. The final handcrafted beads are sent to the women of Entoto Mountain, who create the jewelry you now wear. 

Remnants of former weapons of conflict are now upcycled pieces of redemption.  Wearing these beads around my neck, on my wrist, or in my ears is a constant reminder of how He can use ALL THINGS for His glory!  A story of true redemption!  Please join me in prayer for the artisans in Ethiopia.

So I am giving away these gorgeous Tasseled Earrings made with love in Ethiopia.  Leave a comment to win (this blog is low tech).  I will post the winner on Friday, so check back to see if you have won!

   

"I have new dreams for my son," says 26 year old Embemebet. She has been working for Entoto making jewelry for 6 years. She came to the mountain 9 years ago when she discovered she was HIV positive. Unlike most women who come to the mountain from far away, Embemebet grew up in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Her journey wasn't very far to the mountain, but it was still a painful journey. Her previous husband didn't tell her he was HIV+ and she didn't find out until he passed away. Her current husband also came to the mountain to seek healing. They have been married 5 years and they have a miracle baby together, Yabsera, after suffering the loss of two babies before him.

Go and check out day one of the train at here.
Day three will be here.  Hop in this train and win some of the great giveaways and hear the hearts of these sweet women.