Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Is there such a wonder drug? There certainly is. It is called thanksgiving. Being grateful. Giving thanks. http://bit.ly/cvzsnA

Sunday, June 27, 2010

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Open Heart, Open Home

The interludes in the dance that is our life—when the music changes, or the silence intrudes—can be life-altering. They can be inconvenient, embarrassing, annoying or painful, but after we’ve lived awhile, we begin to understand that they are never outside of God’s intents. Sometimes, we need to stop dancing. http://ping.fm/DtOZZ

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Daily Inspiration

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in
spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1 3:6

Monday, June 21, 2010

Laughing Again

After a long season of sorrow, the major kind, I decided to fill my life with the kind of people I liked, people who knew how to play. And I was happy again, and we laughed together doing unimportant but life-giving things—cooking meals, canning peaches, going to movies. http://ping.fm/hoPpc

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Great News! The Global Bag Project Has a Sustainable Model in Kenya.

This last fiscal quarter, through Home Parties, Bag Parties in a Box (which arrive in the mail), and through the generous invitation of Heartland Church in Rockford, IL who invited us to be their “Cause of the Month” for all of May, Global Bag Project raised $17,000 in donations. We humbly praise God for this generosity.


Right now, 8 bag-producers and one Kenyan project manager, Mary Ogolo, are involved in our growing adventure. Whenever we sell a bag, we can truthfully say, “This helps to feed a child in Kenya.” Whenever Carla wires a check to our Global Bag Project bank account, we are well aware that carrying these reusable grocery bags in the States is not only good ecological practice, it is helping our African co-workers pay school fees ($300 per child per year), pay rent ($200 a month in the Kibera slums—truly a place you do not want to live), and pay for a sewing space for the sewing cooperatives that are forming ($50 per month). A small bag of sugar and corn meal and a small bottle of cooking oil costs about $8. These items are used to make ugali, the East African ‘bread” that is a staple at most every meal.


On average, an experienced sewer can earn $18-30 a day sewing GBP bags. That’s $600 a month or $7,200 per year. That is a FAIR (more than fair) wage!


This is thrilling to us! Here are some ways you can help, ways that have been tested by other GBP supporters:


l. Hold a bag party. We will ship a bag party in a box with host instructions. We have had sales from $400 to $1,500. These parties take about 1an ½ hours and are a delightful event.


2. Purchase an industrial strength sewing machine. Some of the African-made sewing machines are breaking under constant use, so we are changing to sturdier models, which cost $350-$400 each. We will give you the name of the bag-maker along with her photo when she receives the sewing machine.


3. Hold an office party. Sell the bags at lunch, breaks or after work. If you can play our “Every Bag Has a Story” DVD, great! But the bags often walk off the coat racks or the tables on which they are displayed.


4. Make one of our first renewable micro-credit loans. Some donations have been given for our first capital investment toward establishing a sewing cooperative, but we are getting ready to set up small loans for those women who demonstrate entrepreneurial initiatives.


5. See if your church will take the Global Bag Project on as a Cause of the Month.


To participate in any of these events, contact Carla Boelkens, Global Bag Project Director at carla@globalbagproject.org or visit http://HungrySouls.org or http://KarenMains.com.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Global Bag Project

Karen Mains is also part of an international team of men and women heading the Global Bag Project, a micro finance enterprise for women who live in developing areas of the world. The idea is to sell reusable shopping bags, made by Third World bag-makers, to provide sustainable income for them. Visit www.GlobalBagProject.com if you are interested in learning more.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Writer Mentoring

Karen Mains is currently involved in writer mentoring. She and 11 other people are teleconferencing for one hour, twice a month, in order to become better memoir writers. A waiting list is now forming for the new Cycle. If you are interested, please contact Karen at the Hungry Souls office, info@hungrysouls.org.