My sweet friend, Audra, served as hostess for this party representing a ministry called "Heart of the Bride". You can read about their mission on their website. This particular party benefits a part of that ministry called "Back to Africa." This is a program that allows women in Africa to create the beautiful pieces of jewelry sold at these parties and the money goes back to support them. I think it is such a great ministry and I just want to share it with you! If you still have some Christmas shopping to do or just want to add a gorgeous piece of jewelry to your own collection you should check out their shopping site HERE.
AND.....for the first time ever.....a giveaway on my blog! I believe so much in this ministry and feel so strongly that this is a time of year that we should celebrate opportunities to give back to others. So, here's the deal, If you leave a comment sharing your favorite ministry or way to show love and help others during the Christmas season, you will be entered to win a necklace from "Back to Africa"! I don't want you to feel like you are bragging or patting yourself on the back. I just think it is neat to hear the great ideas people have and you never know what you may inspire someone else to do! I will announce the winner on Friday. Get to sharing!!!
5 comments:
Well, I'm going to be the first to comment hopefully:) One ministry I was able to be a part of recently is our jail ministry. We have a Sunday night service for the women's jail and I've gotten to go a few times and pray with the women. This is nice for me b/c I know a lot of the inmates from my SW job and it's a good reminder that I need to imitate Christ all the time - it would be awful if I acted like I FEEL like acting and then came in on Sunday to pray with them ya know? Also, our Sunday School class just took care packages to the widows and elderly in our church when we were studying James. I took one to the oldest member of our church - she's 103 years old - that was a blessing and really, really funny!! :) I'm going to check out their site - this sounds wonderful! Great way to start a giveaway!
The ministry that most sticks out in my mind is a ministry in Norway called "open Door." There is an older woman (around 70) named Astrid that reaches out to the heroin addicts in Bergen, Norway. Every other Thursday she and her group get together and spend the day cooking a hot meal. They then walk to the local park (at night when it rains about 300 days out of the year) where there is an "open drug market." They invite the people back to the church for a hot meal and they share the gospel with them.
She's been beaten up several times, but she keeps doing what she does because one day she had a vision of a beautiful cross made of pearls coming out of the sky over the park. She said that she was there and all the people in the park started running toward the cross and they were trowing away the needles and pills.
She believes that God has specifically called her to these people, and her heart just SHINES!!!
The latest joy serving others was last Saturday night at the Christmas Parade. We served over 100 hot chocolates & coffees to people waiting to watch the parade. They could not believe that people would just give away stuff and not have "catch" or "hidden agenda." It was awesome!
just took part in a ministry yesterday called "The Bread Bowl". Every Wednesday, a local church across from the university, provides a delicious soup lunch for anyone who wants to come. They also have partnered up with Panera and give out the "leftover" bread and desserts. There are lots of round tables set up in the fellowship hall for people to eat their lunches and chat. Many international and graduate students come. It's a great outreach for the community to reach the college campus!
I love adopting a family at Christmastime to help. This year, I have been able to get personally involved with several kids at the school where I am the media specialist. I love seeing their eyes light up!
Of course, all through the year, we do our sacks of love ministry that feeds hungry children on the weekends. Can't wait to check out this website you've mentioned!
Post a Comment