I just found this Etsy shop today and fell in love.

Sisters of Leonsyo

These necklaces are handcrafted in Uganda using pieces of magazines and calendars.

I quickly glanced at their sales and noticed "0 sales."

That needs to change.

I was honored to buy the first item they've sold (the necklace you see above), and I want to offer that whoever buys something from their shop, please email me at whitneynewby@gmail.com and I'll send you a free ring of your choice from my shop as a thank you for helping.

Anyone in? 

PS - If you buy something from a similar shop that supports women in Africa, my offer still stands. Here are some more to choose from (among many more, I'm sure):
People Weaver
Think Humanity
Support UVP
147 Million Orphans

How true.

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and were returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong."

"Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said.

"I can't help it; it doesn't seem right."

When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President's arrival.

No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly."

His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"

"The Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!'"

- Author unknown

What we can do.

UPDATE (6:30am on Thursday morning): You guys are amazing. I had no idea the response would be this great, but in less than 12 hours, we've raised $267.75 for Haiti!!! To God be the glory, GREAT things He has done! I am so excited to package these pieces up and send them off to you. Thank you for inspiring me with your giving hearts!

I'm sure we've all seen the images by now.

My heart is so heavy for Haiti today, and I've been praying about what I can do. We can all do something, right? Here's what I've come up with...

From now until Monday, January 19, 100% of the proceeds from BrighterDay will go directly to World Vision toward their relief efforts in Haiti.

World Vision staff is already on the ground in Haiti, assessing the situation, and preparing an emergency response.

So go shopping and make a difference all at once!

Buy some earrings or a ring or a hair pin and know that your entire purchase will be a donation that will go to our friends in Haiti.

And maybe when you wear your new jewelry, you'll think to pray.

Our pastor sent us some ideas of how we can pray:

- Haiti, as a country, pledged its loyalty to cultic practice and voodoo. It has long been a country that has ignored the Gospel and the God of the scriptures. Pray for spiritual awakening.

- There are many missionaries who have served this country faithfully for years. Pray that God would use this event to cause Haitians to question who God is. Pray that these missionaries would be able to leverage their love and service to reveal the truths of Jesus more directly than ever before.

- Haiti has been a disaster economically. Let's pray that God would use this tragic event to cause other nations to get involved in eliminating corruption and providing economic redevelopment and that children, especially, would no longer have to live in neglect.

To God be the glory in the midst of this unbelievable tragedy.

Atlanta.

Shawn and I just returned last night from a few days in Atlanta. We were at the annual Christian Leadership Alliance Conference where Mom and Dad asked us to help lead worship! We had a wonderful time and I wanted to include a few highlights...

Highlight #1: seeing this guy!


Michael and Shawn have been good friends since they were little boys and it was great to catch up with him! We met for pizza at Mellow Mushroom. He and his band, Holiday Parade, will be touring soon and we hope to see him again in Chicago in a few days!

Highlight #2: Dave the Horn Guy. This guy was unbelievable. He has this custom suit that's covered with bulb horns that he plays as a musical instrument. Dave started out 4 years ago when he played "Jingle Bells" at his church's Christmas program and 3 weeks later, was on Leno! Here's a longer sample of what he does. Dad, Shawn, Michael, and I went to his "concert" and were amazed. Dad and Shawn even got to try it out. :)





Highlight #3: Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission
Gary was the speaker for Wednesday evening's banquet and it was such a privilege to hear from him. In case you haven't heard, International Justice Mission works to secure justice for victims of modern-day slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression. They literally have lawyers and advocates all over the world who are going in the trenches, finding slaves, pulling them out of their situation, and bringing their masters to justice. Incredible. As I just typed that, I was reminded of this passage in Job that is so appropriate to what they are doing:

"I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of a stranger.
I broke the fangs of the wicked
and snatched the victims from their teeth."
- Job 29:16-17

That's exactly what they're doing! It is so from God and He is blessing their ministry with rapid growth and success. As you can probably tell, I've been a fan of IJM's work for a while now and was able to tell Gary about Brighter Day, my online jewelry shop that donates 10% of everything to IJM. He was excited and gave me his newest book and signed it!

The only bummer of our time in Atlanta was that we missed Shannon and Erik, who happened to be in Texas while we were there! Hope to see you guys soon!

Overall, we had such a refreshing few days and are so thankful for the break. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for inviting us! We'll do it again anytime!!

PS - As an update, I did board two planes that both took off in bad weather - and I did ok. I wouldn't say I did great and was still pretty nervous during turbulence (especially on one flight when the pilot asked the flight attendants to sit down... ugh). But I am praying that God would miraculously take away my fear. I've never feared flying and I know that this new fear is not from Him. I'll fly again in June and between now and then, I'm going to read up on flying - hopefully education and prayer will put all of this to rest!