September | Fair Trade Friday | 2023

you were made to thrive

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.

You Were Made to Thrive

We were made for so much more than ordinary lives. It’s time for us to more than just survive. -Casting Crowns

Just as the sun’s heat blazes and intimidates everything that thrives, hardships in life can wilt us and threaten our growth.

But we are trees planted by streams of water. We thirst for more than the world can offer.

We look for streams in the desert, water in the wilderness, pools in the parched ground. (Isaiah 35:6-7) We search for God’s presence in the barren days of life and in the dry seasons because His promises are true.

We were made to thrive. We were made for more.

When the heat and drought of life threatens to wither our branches and scorch our blooms, we reach for Living Water so we will never thirst again.

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith?" (Matthew 6:28-30

As you wear this month’s Fair Trade Friday, may it remind you that even on difficult days, you were made to thrive.

the way to thrive t-shirt

SANAA ART BY TEEN MOMS IN KENYA

Your comfy 100% cotton uni-sex shirt is the perfect neutral transition piece for summer in shorts to adding a layer in fall. The beautiful design is composed of art created by teen girls in Kenya, living at Rehema House, supported by Mercy House Global.

eco-cotton fiber blend – 50% recycled cotton and 50% organic cotton. The fabric is knit and finished in South Carolina. Then the shirt is cut and sewn by GOEX Apparel at their fair trade factory in Port au Prince, Haiti.

Despite the ongoing political turmoil and gang violence in Haiti, GOEX is committed to sustaining jobs for their employees. When asked if they wanted to keep working in the midst of everything going on, the team gave a resounding yes! A strong job means everything to a family in a place like Haiti, and even more in times like these when so many companies are moving their manufacturing.

After a journey of only 2,700 miles (the typical tee travels the globe 16 times!), your tee was screenprinted in Kansas City, MO and then sent to TX for packing in your Fair Trade Friday box. We hope this tee will bring a smile to your face every time you put it on knowing it cared for people and our planet!

thrive floral pendant necklace

MADE BY FORGED IN HOPE IN KENYA AND STARFISH PROJECT IN ASIA

Remember to thrive with your handcrafted floral pendant necklace made in Kibera slum in Kenya and companion chain created by artisans at Starfish Project in Asia. 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 piece last even longer.

forged in Hope

Forged in Hope is an artisan group supported by Mercy House Global, located in the heart of Kibera slum. The founder of the group tragically passed away of typhoid several years ago, but his legacy continues under the vision of his wife, Maureen. She has built a strong jewelry business and created opportunities for others to provide for their families. Mercy House Global is proud to partner with this talented group of skilled artisans.

helped me become the leader that I want to be, just like a shepherd entrusted to care and watch over his flock. As a leader at Forged in Hope, I'm able to serve for the greater good.

Mercy House has allowed me to pursue my Masters Degree in Business Administration so I can better serve my artisans and improve their quality of work. The ability to meet my family’s basic needs is a blessing and I will always be thankful to Mercy House for providing this opportunity.

thrive

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 bonus content. In addition to the floral art to print or use for your phone's lock screen, we've included a digital download with 5 things to consider when facing difficult times.

r trade subscription clu FAIR TRADE FRIDAY

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.