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ABIDE This year, Mercy House Global joyfully embraces the theme Abide with a focus on the fruits of the spirit. Through your monthly subscription to MHG Clubs, you are not only contributing to the creation of meaningful jobs for artisans around the world but also cultivating a bountiful harvest symbolized by the growing array of fruits in our illustration above. Together, we are sowing seeds of positive change and reaping the sweet fruits of empowerment for global communities.
love
“Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.” —Mother Teresa JC Ryle greatly defined abiding in Jesus saying, “To abide in Christ means to keep up a habit of constant close communion with Him—to be always leaning on Him, resting on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and using Him as our fountain of life and strength, as our chief companion and best friend.” Simply put, we spend time with those we love. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 Abiding or remaining in Jesus produces fruit. The Bible refers to these as fruits of the spirit. They aren’t attributes or character traits we can grow on our own. They are a direct result of the vine. It’s no accident that the first fruit listed is love. God is love. The greatest commands are to love God and love others. Love is the fertile ground in which all other fruits grow. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” John 15:9 Love is more than feeling or pink puffy hearts to decorate with. Love is putting others first, preferring them over our own interest. Love wins! This month, take a “love first challenge” and bake a sweet treat for someone who needs encouragement. Share a pic on social media and tag @mhgclubs!
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wooden measuring spoons $24 MADE BY NOAH’S ARK IN INDIA
chocolate brownie mix $8
MADE BY WOMEN’S BEAN PROJECT IN THE USA
set of two kitchen notepads $12 WITH SANAA ART BY RESCUED TEEN MOMS IN KENYA
hand- stitched felt envelope with cards + twill tape ribbon $6.50 MADE BY STREET HOPE IN KENYA, FEATURING SANAA ART BY RESCUED TEEN MOMS IN KENYA
WOODEN MEASURING SPOONS MADE BY NOAH’S ARK IN INDIA Your new wooden measuring spoons were handcrafted with care and dedication by the skilled artisans of Noah's Ark in India. Your ethically produced spoons will add a touch of charm to your kitchen while providing measurements for your baking adventures.
noah’s ark Noah’s Ark was established in 1986 with the sole objective of artisans' welfare and education in Moradabad, India. They support artisans through fair trade practices and provide training in the production of quality products for overseas markets. Noah’s Ark uplifts the downtrodden of society, using their profits to invest back in their community with many social projects related to education, health, water, and sanitation. This order for MHG Clubs provided about 12,000 hours of work to 30 artisans over a span of two months. They were able to earn money for their families and to save for the upcoming festivals.
ANUPAMA AND PINKY Anupama & Pinky have both been working at Noah’s Ark for five years. With their jobs in quality control, they are able to support their families and send their children to good schools.
CHOCOLATE BROWNIE MIX MADE BY WOMEN’S BEAN PROJECT IN THE USA Bake rich, soft chocolate brownies every time with Women’s Bean Project Chocolate Brownie Mix. This simple, balanced mix is the perfect base for your favorite brownie add-ons and flavors. Makes one batch of about 15 brownies. Contains wheat.
women’s bean project
Women’s Bean Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social enterprise in Colorado that supports women striving to create lasting change in their lives by establishing stepping stones to self-sufficiency. They believe all women have the power to transform their lives through employment. They envision a day when barriers to employment are eliminated, when employers hire based on talent and potential rather than background. They hope all women who want a second chance can come to the Bean Project and find the community, support, and confidence needed to improve the future for themselves, their families, and the community.
AHLECIA "I was homeless and sleeping on people’s couches, and not very comfortable with where I was at. I was insecure and didn’t really have the right mindset yet. I still don’t… but I’m working on it! "In less than two or three months of being [at Women's Bean Project], I got my own place. It’s one of the biggest things that I’ve always wanted since I turned 18, so I wouldn’t have to keep on sleeping on people’s couches, floors, beds. So, I can feel comfortable, have my privacy, and be the adult I’m supposed to be. "This year, I found the strength to leave a very toxic and abusive relationship. Even now, just thinking back, I’m really grateful that I went through that. I’ve learned what to look for and what I deserve. Being here, I’ve found myself a lot. I finally know what my worth is; I finally know who I am and who I want to be in life. I owe a lot of that to Women’s Bean Project."
SET OF TWO KITCHEN NOTEPADS WITH SANAA ART BY RESCUED TEEN MOMS IN KENYA Your kitchen notepads are not just beautiful but also practical companions for your culinary space. Keep them nearby to jot down grocery lists and meal plans. The notepads feature artwork created by the rescued teen moms of Rehema House, the maternity homes in Kenya sponsored by Mercy House Global.
HAND-STITCHED FELT ENVELOPE WITH CARDS + TWILL TAPE RIBBON MADE BY STREET HOPE IN KENYA, FEATURING SANAA ART BY RESCUED TEEN MOMS IN KENYA
The women of Street Hope in Kenya handmade your felt envelopes. With their jobs in Street Hope, the women have worked their way off the streets of Mathare Slum in Nairobi. Working on this new product was fun for them and provided them with weeks of dignified work. The cards feature artwork created by the rescued teen moms of Rehema House, the maternity homes in Kenya sponsored by Mercy House Global. Stick the cards into the envelope to enhance a gift to a loved one.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ETHICAL? Ethically traded products are crafted by artisans who work in safe conditions, receive a fair wage, and maintain reasonable working hours. No child sacrificed their education to create your new favorite item, and no parent toiled in a sweatshop for 80 hours a week. We ensure that all of our MHG Clubs items are ethically sourced. HOW ARE MHG CLUBS DIFFERENT THAN OTHER SUBSCRIPTION CLUBS? MHG Clubs are operated by Mercy House Global, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All proceeds from MHG Clubs empower vulnerable families in Jesus’ name with opportunities that provide hope. MHG CLUBS PARTNER WITH FAITH-BASED ARTISAN GROUPS ACROSS THE GLOBE. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? While we are a faith-based ministry and collaborate with other faith-based ministries, religion is not imposed on artisans, nor is it a prerequisite for employment. Many women and their families practice different religions than we do, and that is okay. Our belief in Christ compels us to love, serve, and assist others, irrespective of their personal belief systems.