Semillas de Esperanza: Open for Business

As we finished up with our 3rd official meeting, I continue to be amazed at how God is working through this whole process, and how talented these girls are! These earrings have all been made by the girls only by copying a model of a pair that I have made, and I don't think it will be much longer that they will need to copy from me before they start coming up with their own amazing creations. I have also been very impressed with the ambition I am seeing from each of the girls, and how they are naturally working together in groups based upon their talents and abilities. The older girls seem to be taking the younger ones under their watch, and are genuinely producing quality jewelry.

This past Saturday we had 30 pairs of earrings, and within 1 day I sold 22 pairs to co-workers of mine. The goal was to have enough ready to sell for a group that Melvin is currently working with, and now I barely have anything to show them! While sending out support letters in the states, I had several people volunteer to be a representative of Semillas de Esperanza by selling for us stateside, and I'm afraid that most of the jewelry will not even make it out of the country before being sold!

This whole process has been a wonderful reminder to me of when we are serving in the capacity that God created us for, how natural the fit seems. I am not struggling to make this whole process work, forcing it to be something that its not. But rather, because I have been obedient to what God was putting in my heart, I am seeing the fruits of my labor and the blessings and POTENTIAL that God has in store.

A small goal of mine was to create a weekend retreat at Lago de Yojoa for the girls where we could continue building relationships as well as have a time to teach and disciple them with bible study and other activities. Many of these girls have never really been outside of their neighborhood, so to spend an all-paid for weekend at the lake would be an unforgettable experience for them. This past Saturday, I was approached by a friend of mine, Anna, who works for a Christian organization from Denmark, and she has a team coming in July that would like to completely sponsor the retreat as well as plan the entire thing! Please keep this in prayer that it would come to be, and that this will all go smoothly as well.

With this retreat being paid for, this frees up some of the money made from sales to be used for other areas. One thing that I have felt is the need for these girls to be in school. Most of them are no longer in school because of financial reasons, and if this program could even sponsor 1 or 2 to be able to attend school once again, I will find it well worth the effort. However, this can only be done if I continue to have support from the states. I have been overwhelmed at the amount of generosity I have seen from my family and friends in this ministry, and I am putting out the call to all of you to please let others know about this ministry! I am compiling e-mail addresses together so that I may send out newsletters and updates online, so I appreciate your help in this matter.

Once again, thank you to everyone for believing in this endeavor. I can't explain to you the joy I have in working with these girls, and I couldn't do it without you! Please take a look at some of our products, and hopefully I can start putting some online for internet sales and orders.