October 22, 2020

October 22, 2020

As you watch the nightly news with all of its stories of need (stories that are even more numerous these days due to the pandemic) have you ever wished you could pull open your shirt like Clark Kent and fly to the rescue?

You’d zoooom down to Louisiana and help hurricane victims or with your super-strength you’d deliver a mountain of boxes full of PPE gear to hospitals or you’d use your invulnerability to smother a bomb planted by terrorists (Is the Superman theme song playing in your mind?).

Well, let it play because you can do that! Iron your cape! You CAN come to the aid of people in serious need!

No, I haven’t been reading too many comic books, there really is a way you can be a superhero to a group of people who always struggle in life, even more so in the pandemic. I’m referring to the women of Amani ya Juu.

Most of you know about Amani, but for our newer members: Amani ya Juu is a Christian ministry to refugee women in Africa. When women enter countries like Kenya, fleeing their homes in other nations due to war, Amani ya Juu offers them a job, something that is almost impossible to get otherwise. These women are trained to make products that sell all around the world. While they work at the Amani compound, they are told about the love of Jesus.

We’ve sent four mission teams from Redland to Nairobi to work with the women and men of Amani and our own Cathie Burke has served as a missionary working with Amani for about 20 years.

November 7 and 8 is our annual Amani ya Juu fair trade craft sale at Redland (inside the ROC and outside in the parking lot). We’ll have TONS of beautiful Amani products available for purchase, items that will make great Christmas gifts. The hours are: Saturday, November 7, 9am-5pm and Sunday, November 8, 12pm-4pm.

This sale is always important. Every year our sale is one of the biggest they have in the U.S. But in 2020 it is even more important because for nearly five months Amani was closed due to the pandemic which means the women were not able to earn income. Thankfully, Amani was able to give them each a small stipend to help cover their rent, but with all those months without income, these women NEED us to buy their products.

So put it on your calendar! Spread the word! Social distancing will be enforced and you have to wear a mask, but plan on coming. Be a SUPERHERO!

Keep the SON in your eyes!
Mark

P.S. - If you can help with the sale by volunteering, contact Sue Adams