April | Fair Trade Friday | 2023

refresh

THRIVE

It’s our goal for 2023 to help you slow down, center yourself in the Gospel, and thrive. Each box this year will include a floral theme and a word of the month designed to encourage you to thrive. This greenhouse illustration above will continue to fill with flowers every month. By the end of 2023, it will be full of blossoms just as your home will be full of inspiration and amazing ethically made finds.

This month’s box, with its handmade spring reminders, is the perfect motivation to stop and notice the morning dew and not take more than one day at a time.

One (Refreshing) day at a time

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22

Morning dew falls in the darkness.

It’s waiting for us first thing every morning to remind us that God gives us what we need for each new day.

Morning dew is just enough moisture to refresh the earth.

Daily mercies are like manna, and God knows when enough is enough.

Manna is daily bread that helps us remember to take it one day at a time.

Lamentations, the book of suffering and despair, stops in the middle of poetic sorrows to remind us even in the depth of our sadness, God’s love never stops. It’s like the dew that arrives in the middle of our darkness and refreshes our souls.

His love is unending and it renews daily. It sustains us. It nourishes us. God’s love refreshes us day by day.

“The Word of God is like manna—it’s daily nourishment, daily reminders of God’s nearness. It’s what God knows we need in order to thrive. But, so often, we hunger for something more.”

—Glenna Marshal

Dew kickstarts spring. Bulbs peek from underground. Seeds sprout. Flowers bud.

Rain gives the earth a refreshing shower.

It’s the season we clean out our closets, spring clean our homes. turn over the dirt in our gardens.

It’s an opportunity to refresh our lives and our souls.

wooden earring holder

MADE BY UNDER OVER IN THE USA

MADE BY FORGED IN HOPE IN KENYA

MADE BY MODERN SPROUT IN THE USA

MADE BY STREET HOPE IN KENYA

WOODEN EARRING HOLDER

MADE BY UNDER OVER IN THE USA

A place for your ethically-made earrings! The men of Under Over created your wooden earring holder in their skills-training program. Store your studs in the holes and use the bottom of the arch for your hanging earrings. When your earrings are organized all in one place, they make a beautiful display!

The earring holder's base is made of recycled wood and may contain color variations, nail holes, or slight defects. They are all part of the character of reclaimed wood.

Under Over Fellowship is a church located in downtown Conroe, Texas. Among its many ministries that cater to the homeless and marginalized in the community, it also has a men’s program for 15-20 men that live in the church. They remain there for six months to a year and are given an opportunity to focus on their relationship with Jesus, recover from addiction and mental health issues, and have a chance to start over. The men are given the chance to return to past careers, be trained for new ones, or go to school all while hearing about the love of a Savior willing to die on the cross for them.

ed

Ed has been in the rehab program at Under Over Fellowship since August 2022. After losing his job of four years, he was unable to keep up with his rent. Ed was evicted and lived on the streets of downtown Houston for three months. After successfully graduating from the program at Under Over, Ed was able to qualify for the MET Program from Work Solutions. It’s an initiative that trains those 55+ years old to use computers. Ed also works at the church part-time.

FLOWER STATEMENT STUDS

MADE BY FORGED IN HOPE IN KENYA

Make a statement with your new flower statement studs! Forged in Hope handcrafted the earrings in Kibera slum using ethically sourced brass. In order to extend the jewelry's longevity, it was bonded with a layer of gold and coated with a clear protective finish. Avoiding exposure to chemicals and abrasives will help your studs last even longer.

forged in hope

Forged in Hope is an artisan group supported by Mercy House Global. The group started with an artisan named Stephen who expressed himself through creating jewelry. He established his upcycled brass jewelry business in the heart of Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. After Stephen died of typhoid, his wife Maureen continued his legacy and grew production volume to ensure ongoing work for the employees. From tragedy, Maureen has built a strong jewelry business, and she has also invested in multiple businesses in Kibera, creating opportunities for others and stimulating economic growth. Before Stephen's death, Wycliffe worked closely with him for several years as an artisan in the jewelry workshop. Wycliffe quickly rose to a position of leadership to supervise the daily work of the artisans. Through the previous partnership with Karama Collection, Wycliffe was able to learn pricing, team leadership, and quality control. Through his leadership, five additional positions have been added to the business. Mercy House Global is proud to support this talented group of artisans.

PINT-SIZED PANSY GARDEN JAR

MADE BY MODERN SPROUT IN THE USA

Black thumbs be gone! Your self-watering grow kit features a pint-sized frosted mason jar outfitted with a passive hydroponic system known as “wicking” to bring water and nutrients up to the plant roots. So whether you forget to water, overwater, or both—you’re covered. This year-round indoor planter comes equipped with everything you’ll need to start growing. Just add water and set it in a sunny window.

Includes Organic or Non-GMO Seeds.

Modern Sprout

Modern Sprout got their start by being really into eating. The fresh, homegrown herbs they desired were not supported by their yardless and busy lifestyle. Determined to find a solution, they turned to their windowsills and put pen to paper. By making their own hydroponic system that hadn’t yet existed in a seamless, beautiful, and accessible way, they grew foolproof plants.

Their desire to encourage purposeful planting is as strong as their desire to be better—for people, plants, and the planet. From their practices to their products, they continually strive to do more good than harm.

SHE IS PRICELESS pocket note FELT HEART

Notes from a loved one can turn a bad day around or make a great one even sweeter. Tuck an encouraging note into your pocket note felt heart and share with a loved one to show how much you care.

She is Priceless is the global giving day for Mercy House Global to raise funds to empower vulnerable families. Learn more at sheispriceless.org.

Three ways to participate on May 16:

1. Scan the QR code below to grab an image to share on your social media

2. Draw a heart on your hand and tag @mercyhouseglobal + use the hashtag #sheispriceless

3. Scan the QR code below to give + remind women around the world that they are PRICELESS!

MADE

Club Member Exclusive

In 2023, each month we will bring our club members exclusive content. In your Fair Trade Friday booklet, you’ll see a QR code linking you to fun digital extras that you can download. Just use your phone’s camera to scan the codes.

Follow the link to find your collection of additional content. This month you’ll find floral prints that you can print and frame. Freshen up your phone's screen with new floral wallpapers. And don't miss the tips on fresh flowers!

fair trade subscription clu FAIR TRADE FRIDAY

WHAT IS FAIR TRADE?

Fairly-traded products are made by artisans who work in safe conditions, are paid a fair wage, and work fair hours. No child gave up his education to produce your new favorite item; no mom was laboring in a sweatshop for 80 hours a week. We ensure that all of our Fair Trade Friday club items are fairly traded.

HOW IS FTF DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SUBSCRIPTION CLUBS?

We are not a for–profit company, or even a profit-for-good company — Fair Trade Friday is operated by Mercy House Global, a nonprofit. All profits from FTF directly support our maternal rescue center, Rehema House, in Kenya. You can learn more at mercyhouseglobal.org.

FTF PARTNERS WITH FAITH-BASED ARTISAN GROUPS ACROSS THE GLOBE. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

While we are a faith-based ministry and partner with other faith-based ministries, religion is not forced upon artisans, nor is it a requirement for employment. Many women & their families have different religions than us, and that is okay. Our belief in Christ calls us to love, serve, and help others, regardless of their personal belief systems.

WE HAVE AN APP!

Use the code WELCOME20 for 20% off your first in-app purchase!

#fairtradefridaybox