Christmas gift ideas…and a call for help

I know, I know.  We’ve barely crossed the threshold into November.  Pumpkins are still lingering on porches.  It seems a bit early to be considering Christmas.  However, before you start hunting for gifts, I wanted to plant some ideas in your head!

This past summer while I was in D.C., I got to visit the opening of a special store with my ever so talented friend Zoe.  She was writing an article about the opening for World magazine, and I was lucky enough to take pictures for her.  The store is Amani, not to be confused with Armani.  The name comes from the phrase Amani ya juu in Swahili, meaning higher peace.  The following is a brief description of the project from their website.

The project serves a two-fold purpose. First, Amani gives African women the opportunity to improve their sewing and marketing skills. The women gain experience in purchasing, bookkeeping, skill training, quality control, management and design. Second, Amani aims to sow seeds of peace in the hearts of the women as they grow in community and in their faith together. As part of the daily activities at the center, the Amani women participate in singing, praying, Word study and visiting one another in their homes. Relationships, built upon the Father’s peace, transform even the most troubled lives.  Amani is committed to fair trade, providing a just pay and holistic development, which contrasts dramatically with the unjust conditions these women are confronted with outside of Amani. Amani implements holistic development by meeting the physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of those who participate. As the women learn practical skills to improve their quality of life, they also experience the Father’s healing, moving them beyond their traumatic and difficult pasts.

When we visited the store opening, I also discovered that it was being run by three Wheaton grads, some who graduated the same year as me.  It was great to see the eternal investments these girls were making!

While I was there mainly to take pictures, I couldn’t help picking up a few items when I was at the store.  They have some awesome bags and jewelry.  However, my favorite items are their aprons (the girls are modeling one style in the picture above).  I picked up a few as gifts and one for myself.  Rarely a day goes by when I don’t wear it!  It’s green, it’s got a ruffle, and I think it’s absolutely darling (find it here). 

Shopping at Amani, you will not only get wonderfully unique gifts, but you’ll also support an amazing ministry.  Check out the store here!

One other opportunity for support involves the club feet kids I wrote about a few months ago.  They’re both down south getting treatment.  The organization that runs the treatment center is looking for sponsors for the kids.  One of the kids from our orphanage still needs a sponsor.  You will see her on Stefanie’s blog, in the November 3 entry “Little Ones”.  Her English name is Lexi.  Thanks for continuing to lift these little guys up as they go through this life-changing treatment!