Where hope lives...

18 countries + 1,000 jobs + 6,000 boxes + countless lives redeemed = one year of Fair Trade Friday

This August we're celebrating 1 year of Fair Trade Friday. A year of redeeming lives and consumerism.

Last year while I was in Africa, The Mercy House Kenya launched Fair Trade Friday as an avenue for women to empower women. I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I can't tell you how many times I had asked my best friend what more we could do. This was a new avenue to do that. Sometimes I keep my pieces and sometimes I give them away as a way to spread awareness. 

Maybe you've wondered, but isn't it just accessories? 

Well, sure. 

Fair Trade Friday stands for so much more than that though.

You're empowering women around the world. 

You're not giving them a handout. You're partnering with them. You're giving them the dignity of providing for their families. 

To us it's just accessories. More gorgeous necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and bags. 

To them it's so much more than that. It's the ability to live in a house, feed their children, drink clean water, or send their kids to school. You're bringing hope, redeeming lives, and redeeming consumerism.

"Probably one of the most profound moments was in a mud home in Kenya talking with a woman we were buying paper bead bracelets from a Fair Trade Friday box. She grabbed my hands and squeezed them tight. She looked me straight in the eyes and said, 'Tell the women in American that we need them to keep buying what we make. Tell them it is feeding my son and two daughters. Tell them not to forget us.' I will spend the rest of my life reminding these marginalized women they are not forgotten." - Kristen Welch

So, what can you do? 

You can sign up for a one time box.

Or get on the wait list for Fair Trade Friday.

Every box shares a story. 

Every box empowers women.

You can be a part of that!

Find out how here!

Updates from us!

Updates from The Hennis Family

We're really sorry it has taken so long! 

This summer has been crazy for us so far! It started off with Joe taking 7 classes at The Baptist College of Florida for the summer semester and not working at Sonny's for that time. Kendall and I headed off to Grand Isle, Louisiana for a mission trip with our church! Our group ministered to people from around the world. We shared the Gospel with people on the docks at night as they were fishing. Kendall handed out 8 tracts to kids and told them Jesus loves them!

After that week, Kendall and I flew back so I could take my class to become a realtor. It was an intensive week and I passed the class test with a 92 out of 100. The following Wednesday I took my state exam and passed that as well! Now, I'm on to the world of real estate! Our goal for my job is to be able to pay off our house while Joe finishes school so that we can get to the mission field! So if you need help or know someone else who is interested in buying, selling, renting, or investing in Brevard County let me know!
 

  

Kendall wanted to share that she turned 7 on July 9th!

We wanted to share you about our upcoming trips. Unfortunately, we had to resign form our trip to Ecuador. We were extremely disappointed that we would not be able to go, but we trusted that God had different plans. The reason we did not go is because the organization decided that they did not want our daughter to go. We had already had an agreement with the organization before this that she could go but it really does not matter. This is unfortunate but we gave our word to her that we would do a family trip a year or we would not go. We have made a commitment to God to go on one family trip a year. With that being said, we found out why God wanted us to stay. That week there were two important things that happened that I was able to be apart in. I had the honor to preach that week as well. So as always God's plans were perfect. 

Some exciting new is that we will be going to Haiti in September! Yesterday we got our tickets for our trip so we're really excited! We will be traveling into Port-au-Prince and then drive an hour and a half north of the capital to Titanyen. This area was once the prime dumping grounds for bodies from the earthquake. An estimated thirty thousand people are buried in this remote area. The organization for this trip is Truth Evangelistic Ministries, they have operated in this country for the last thirteen years and have continued to develop the area of Titanyen. We will be building a structure in a local community that will help the organization and the people do life together. In addition to this, we have the opportunity to share the Gospel, have discipleship meetings, and nighttime events. We will be gone from September 5 - Septermber 12. Our team purpose is to show the love and compassion of our Lord to the people of Haiti.

In October, Jenn will still be going to Guatemala with World Help. World Help is a faith-based humanitarian organization serving the physical and spiritual needs of people in impoverished communities around the world. She will be there from October 19th- October 25th. While there the team will care for malnourished children at the Operation Baby Rescue center, visit remote Guatemalan communities and perform medical clinics for the villagers and pass out shoes, work at St. Luke's Hospital and Kelly's House, interact with with orphans at the Hope of Life children's home in Zacapa, as well as visit the Feeding Center at a community based around a trash dump. She will need about $2,000 for this trip. This includes all in-country transportation, lodging, meals, international medical insurance, and airport fees.

The ways to take part in these trips is to pray and when we ask pray, nothing is going to be accomplished in our own strength, we need the Power and Voice of God. Another way to partner is if God lays it on your heart after praying is to donate. All donations are tax exempt and taken through Crosswalk Community Church. Their address is 77 N. Carpenter Rd. Titusville, FL 32796. Please put Hennis Family Mission Trips in the memo line.

If God leads you to give could you send us an email that you did so for our records? We would REALLY appreciate it! We thank you for your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you!

In His Love,
Joe, Jenn, and Kendall
 

Shelfie: The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren

Book Description

Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance—even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her new place mean leaving home behind?

About the Author

Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I'm a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I'm an adventurer -- having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that's why my characters can't sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another -- they're too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories, that I hope inspire and entertain!

Book Review 

I loved this book! I wish I had read the other books in this series before this one for more information on the characters. I wish the storyline had been a little more developed. I finished feeling like I had missed something. I will be finding the other books in this series and reading them and then rereading this one! I love Christian fiction and this one is a favorite!