Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you had a day full of family, laughter, good food and thanksgiving. I know that my day consisted of those things. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about the things that I’m thankful for. Topping the list were thing like: grace, forgiveness and my family. And then there were other things like clean drinking water, an education and access to healthcare. And then my mind drifted to a common prayer of thanksgiving in Liberia--”thank you God for life and breath.” Yes, God, thank you for life and breath.

But as I laid in bed this morning, thinking about things that I’m thankful for, my mind kept wandering away from the good stuff. I couldn’t help but think about the bad, hard and difficult. Times over the last few years where things seemed impossible, or I felt like I couldn’t take any more heartache. I thought about sickness, poverty, unfairness, loss and death. Faces of dearly loved friends, who have passed away without any explanation danced in my mind. Things that don’t or can’t make sense, or that prove just how much evil is in this world.

At first, I wanted to go back to the things--happy, good things--that I am incredibly grateful for. I wanted to celebrate with thanksgiving about God’s provision and protection. Or remember the miracles that have happened in my own life, or in the lives of those around me. But then God began to reveal something unexpected.

He began to speak to me about all of those bad, hard and difficult things. He began to whisper--be thankful for ALL things, because it ALL comes from Me. Once you make it through trying times, you eventually get to a place where you’re able to turn around and look back and see how God was present every step of the way. And that’s what I found myself doing this morning. Rejoicing in and thanking Him for the bad. I am able to see His presence in those difficult times. And I’m continuing to understand that He is always with me. And I’m continuing to believe that He does work all things together for our good. 

I am thankful for the difficult, hard and messy because I am continuing to learn that all of it is for my good and for His glory. I am able to find joy and thanksgiving, even when the good is missing. It’s a huge lesson to learn, but it’s also one that will wreck you and draw you closer to the Father at the same time. He is my good and faithful Father. And for that I am thankful!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Announcing My New Ministry--Red Meets Green!

Liberia, West Africa is a beautiful, lush country with a violent and bloody past. After fourteen years of brutal civil war, no Liberian went unaffected. Poverty, disease, orphans and widows, those are the stories of Liberia’s people. Just recently, Liberia celebrated ten years of peace, and the people are at a place where they can hope and dream again. However, they still face so many challenges in making those dreams come true.

After spending four years in Liberia working with orphanages, God began to do something new in my heart. He gave me a deep desire to minister to my neighbors--to empower them and to help them achieve their dreams--and to help preserve families. That’s where Red Meets Green was born. Liberia’s past is stained in red because of all of the bloodshed and death, but the people are desperate to encounter green---life, hope and Truth. The people of the Cooper Beach community experienced terrible things during the war, but also in the four years that I have lived there. They will now be provided with the opportunity to ‘meet green’ at a community center in their own neighborhood. Red Meets Green is my new ministry in Liberia, where a community center will serve as a beacon of hope. Through building relationships and serving the people, it is my prayer that anyone who comes to the community center will meet and know the hope that can only be found in Christ.

Cooper Beach Community

In order to meet people right where they are, we will begin by offering adult literacy classes, as well as tutoring, art and sports for children. The literacy classes will be the start of relationships, as well as helping to assess the needs of the community. Over time, we will expand to vocational and business training programs and anything else that the people need. Red Meets Green is about the life-change that can only happen because of God’s mercy and love, and how that change affects individuals, families, a community and a country.

The Green House Community Center

Your continued prayers and support are incredibly important to me and the ministry in Liberia. I am currently raising the needed funds to open the community center, and hope to be back in Liberia full-time in Spring 2014. If you would like to be a part of all that God is doing in Liberia, please contact me!

I will continue to use Love in Liberia for my personal communications, but everything else will be under Red Meets Green. Check out the Red Meets Green website (redmeetsgreen.org) to learn more and find out how you can get involved!

Prayer Needs:
- That God would miraculously put my Tax-Exempt papers on the top of the stack at the IRS and that there wouldn't be any problems processing the paperwork.
- Miraculous provision from our Jehovah-Jirah! The balance due on the rent is roughly $7,700 and I would love to see it come in before the end of the year! That's the first 'chunk' needed...but there are many financial needs after that.
- Wisdom and creativity when it comes to fundraising!
- That God would stir the hearts of people to pray, give, get involved and go.
- Divine appointments with people, companies and organizations that we can partner with.
- Personnel needs: CPA, photographer/videographer, graphic/web designer and fundraisers.

Day of the Girl

In case you didn't know, October 11th is International Day of the Girl Child. What is that, you ask? It's a day set aside by the United Nations to recognize girls' rights and the challenges girls face around the world. Today, people around the world are talking about the theme,"Innovating for Girls' Education".

From my time in Liberia, I have seen first-hand the challenges that girls face. Unimaginable things. Unfair things. Girls who desperately want to go to school. Women who are survivors of abuse and rape. Mothers who have beaten the odds and survived the birth of her children. Teens who so badly want to make a difference in their community and country. And yet, I've met so many young girls and women who are warriors--the strongest women I know! These girls are my heroes!

Liberia is full of beautiful, strong heroes, but there are still thousands and thousands of girls in Liberia (and millions worldwide) who continue to be trapped in the vicious cycle of living in a place where being born a female isn't a good thing. Take a look at a few statistics from Liberia:

It's because of girls like the ones above that fuel my passion to continue the work in Liberia! Jogma, in the middle, is one of my true heroes! She was a straight-A student who looked forward to going to college. In 11th grade, she found herself pregnant and kicked out of school because of it. She had her precious baby boy, Joshua, after four days of labor and started school less than 2 months after giving birth. She just completed her senior year and is enrolled in a nursing program at a local Bible college. Jogma wants to help herself and her family by continuing her education, but she dreams of helping her fellow Liberians as a nurse. She has also been a huge help and encouragement in helping my dreams come true in Liberia! Jogma is already planning on being heavily involved in the community center and I cannot wait to spend my days with her, teaching young girls how to sew and bake with plenty of laughter!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this transition and new chapter! I hope that you will continue in this journey with me--let's do it for the girls!

30 Day Challenge Results

Thirty days ago, I gave a challenge to my family and friends. I challenged 30 people to donate $30 in celebration of my 30th birthday. If 30 people gave $30, it would cover two month's worth of rent for the community center.

You guys, I was blown away!

God is so good and He continues to provide!

Donations came in from: Georgia, Washington, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington DC, California and the Netherlands! Some people gave more than the $30. One friend wanted to give enough to cover a third month of rent for the community center!

So...the results went alittle something like this:

30 Days

24 Friends

15 Cities

$1,230 Raised

($900 was the goal)

3 Months of Rent Paid For

(1/4 of Year Two's Rent!)

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift!

Every time you give, it is one step closer to getting back to Liberia and getting the community center up and running!

In other exciting news, I filed my Articles of Incorporation paperwork with the state of Georgia this past week! It will hopefully take about two weeks to hear anything, but you can be praying that the papers will be accepted and approved right away without any problems!

School Supplies Needed!

[source]

As you begin your back-to-school shopping, I wanted to make you aware of an opportunity to get involved with the community center. I'm sure that within the next few weeks, you will stroll the aisles with your children looking for needed supplies. Stores are already running great sales on basic supplies--last week I picked up packs of erasers for 10 cents, and this week there are some great penny and dollar deals!

The community center in Liberia is in need of some supplies too! Listed below are some basic supplies that we will need in Liberia; many of these supplies cannot be found there, or are very expensive. Most of these supplies will be used on a daily basis, so we will always need these supplies on hand.

I have made lists in order of priority--high, medium and low. All of these supplies are needed, but if you're already picking up supplies on the 'high' list (or see the big back-to-school display at the front of the store), consider throwing a few extra into your cart for Liberia!

High Priority

- washable markers

- pencils

- erasers (pencil top & "the big pink block" kind)

- glue sticks

- colored pencils

- crayons

- handwriting paper (paper w/ red & blue lines)

- pencil sharpeners

Medium Priority

- scissors (child and adult sizes)

- Elmer's glue

- rulers

- ink pens

- watercolor paint sets

- craft paint

- paint brushes

- educational flash cards

- craft supplies (glitter glue, stickers, etc.)

Low Priority

- construction paper

- index cards

- loose leaf paper

- pocket folders

**We do not need any notebooks**

Also, you can always donate cash or gift cards (Target or Walmart are best) and I can pick up anything that's needed (I'm a bargain shopper, so every year I wait until school supplies are markdown and become a crazy lady and stock up at Target!)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. 

The 30 Day Challenge

On July 8th, I will be celebrating my 30th birthday!

[Where has the time gone? Geez, I feel old.]

In celebration of my 30th birthday, I am asking my family, friends and total strangers to join together for the 30 Day Challenge!

What's the 30 Day Challenge?

It's simple!

I'm looking for 30 friends who want to give $30 to celebrate my 30th birthday!

I don't need anything for my birthday, but there's a community center in Liberia that needs lots of things! ALL of the money will go towards the community center!

If 30 friends donate $30, that will cover two months of rent. If more friends give, then that's more money towards the community center! Feel free to pass the challenge on to your family and friends! The more people that give, the sooner the community center can open its doors to serve the people of Liberia!

You can donate with cash, check or PayPal. Just let me know which method you prefer and I will pass on the appropriate information to you.

Ready, set, GO!

[P.S. This photo says it all--the road is long, and sometimes messy, but the journey is beautiful. And, the photo is a hint for what's to come!]

Thursday's Textiles

Today I'm featuring a few textile items that are for sale in the Good Gifts Market! Each item is made from traditional Liberian lappa fabric and created by local artisans in Liberia (except for the yellow purse, for which I'm the artisan). Maybe you need a gift for someone, or perhaps you just want to treat yourself. All of the proceeds go towards the community center!

To place an order, leave a comment or send me an email.

*Prices do not including shipping*

(but I use the most affordable shipping possible)

African Aprons: $20

Features pockets, a strap to go around your neck and a tie at the waist.

[Apron #1: two available]

[Apron #2: two available]

[Apron #3: two available]

[Apron #4: one available]

Shoulder Bags: $20

Zipper closer and inside pocket.

 [Shoulder Bag #1: one available]       [Shoulder Bag #2: one available]

Purse: $30

Magnetic closer and inside pocket.

[Purse #1: one available]

There are so many other great items available in the Good Gifts Market. All of the proceeds go towards the community center! Let's raise some money to pay the rent for year two and three!