kindness
ABIDE
Mercy House Global’s 2024 theme, Abide, has led to a journey focusing on the fruits of the Spirit. Your ongoing support through MHG Clubs not only fuels the creation of sustainable jobs for artisans worldwide but also nurtures a bountiful harvest, symbolized by the vibrant array of fruits depicted in our illustration above.
Your partnership with us is more than just a subscription—it's a commitment to fostering meaningful change, empowering global communities, and cultivating a world where hope and opportunity abound. Thank you for joining us on this inspiring journey of transformation.
kindness
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” —Dr. Leo Buscaglia
Kindness is sincere.
Kindness is voluntary.
Kindness is never wasted.
Kindness is an opportunity.
Kindness is holy.
Kindness is the fifth fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5. According to Biblical commentary, the Greek word for kindness translates to “the divine love out of which God acts toward humankind.” It is what the Old Testament means when it frequently declares that “God is good.”
We show kindness by behaving toward others as God has behaved towards us. In other words, we are kind to others because God has been kind to us.
Take a Kindness Challenge: Use your enclosed Acts of Kindness Scratch-off Cards and partner up with a friend or family member to create a list of simple ways to spread kindness in your community.
This month’s ethically-made, empowering items provide an opportunity to connect in kindness with those around you!
snap back pouch: set of MADE BY JOYN IN INDIA
ceramic bud vase
MADE BY GOOD WINTER HOUSE IN THAILAND
acts
of kindness scratch cards: set of 15
FEATURING SANAA ART BY TEEN MOMS IN KENYA WHO HAVE BEEN RESCUED FROM DESPERATE SITUATIONS
felt
bow
tie
+ twill tape ribbon MADE BY STREET HOPE IN KENYA
SNAP BACK POUCH: SET OF 2
MADE BY JOYN IN INDIA
Your set of two Snap Back Pouches are perfect for organizing your travel essentials or daily carry items. The artisans of JOYN handcrafted these pouches using heavy-duty cotton canvas, ensuring durability and longevity.
Each pouch features hand-blocked prints, adding a touch of artisanal charm to your accessories collection. Whether on-the-go or simply keeping life organized at home, these pouches are the perfect companions.
Spot clean only.
raju
Raju was born without the use of one leg due to polio. Despite the fear of social stigma and limited access to education, Raju found hope and independence when he became an artisan at JOYN five years ago. Now he has moved out of the slum area, and he has a beautiful family whom he can support.
joyn
JOYN’s story began in 2011 with a community that came together around the age-old art forms of spinning, weaving, and block printing in Rajpur, a small rural town nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. JOYN dreamed of doing business differently, where the people and craftsmanship behind each product are honored and where meaningful work is created for those who need it most. At their heart is a commitment to handmaking their products. They celebrate and value the skilled work of their artisans and believe that slowing down the manufacturing process creates a true connection to the things we own. When you know who made your products, how they were made, and what it means to the maker to see them in your hands, that product becomes more than just a bag, but something to treasure forever. Today JOYN’s handmade pieces are loved by customers all over the world, but their dream remains the same—to create products by hand that are good for people and kind to the planet.
During a time when work opportunities were limited, this order for MHG Clubs provided fifteen artisans with 400 hours of steady and respectful work. It gives hope for a future where JOYN can keep providing jobs and hire more artisans. This is what motivates everyone at JOYN—artisans being able to care for their families by providing things like shelter, food, and education. Overall, this work has made a big difference in helping families in the community do well.
CERAMIC BUD VASE
MADE BY GOOD WINTER HOUSE IN THAILAND
Embrace the charm of simplicity with your Ceramic Bud Vase, perfect for showcasing delicate florals in any space. Its miniature size allows it to grace even the smallest nooks and crannies, adding a touch of elegance to any corner of your home. Imagine the beauty of billy buttons, Queen Anne’s lace, or thistle nestled delicately within this ceramic piece, bringing a delightful touch of nature indoors. This bud vase is the perfect accent to highlight the beauty of your favorite tiny blooms. Due to the handmade nature of these vases, the shapes may vary.
good winter house
Good Winter House in Chiang Rai, Thailand, is led by Mod and Pitch, a young, creative couple who make beautiful ceramic pieces. They love that they can support themselves by working with their hands on their metalwork and their unique white-clay pottery.
Making the Ceramic Bud Vases for MHG Clubs was the biggest order that Good Winter House has received. It provided consistent work for five months in addition to their regular work for markets. This experience helped improve their skills, by teaching Mod and Pitch about time management and quality control. This order was influential in their growth as artists and small business owners in Northern Thailand. It showed them the importance of working efficiently and checking their work carefully.
ACTS OF KINDNESS SCRATCH-OFF CARDS: SET
OF 15
FEATURING SANAA ART BY TEEN MOMS IN KENYA WHO HAVE BEEN RESCUED FROM DESPERATE SITUATIONS
Spread joy and positivity effortlessly with the Acts of Kindness Scratch-off Cards. Each card features a blank area for you to complete a heartfelt prompt. After you write your message, cover it with the scratch-off sticker provided. When your recipient uses a coin to scratch off the sticker, your hidden message is revealed!
There’s an extra layer of meaning to your acts of kindness because the 15-card set features Sanaa art by teen moms in Kenya who have overcome tragedy. Printed in the USA and accompanied by instructions, these cards are ready to uplift spirits wherever they go.
Whether tucked into a lunchbox, purse, or bouquet of flowers, these scratch-off cards are sure to bring smiles
FELT BOW TIE
+ TWILL TAPE RIBBON
MADE BY STREET HOPE IN KENYA
Transform your gift wrapping with your Felt Bow Tie, lovingly handcrafted by the women of Street Hope in Kenya. Add a touch of sophistication to any present by embellishing it with this classic bow tie. Use the included twill tape ribbon to attach the bow, or adhere it with double-sided tape. Through their employment with Street Hope, these women have persevered through adversity in Mathare Slum in Nairobi, proving the profound impact of opportunity and empowerment.
prayers for kenya
Over the last several weeks, Kenya has been hit with torrential rains that have flooded their streets and farmland. Maureen, Executive Director of Rehema House in Kenya, told us that the floods have severely affected their area. We praise God that there haven’t been any fatalities around them, but many homes have been destroyed and families have been displaced. The women of Street Hope have been especially vulnerable to the flooding damage. Please keep them in your prayers.
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.
