We try to teach our girls the value of QUALITY... kindly suggesting color combinations and ways to improve, pointing out stains and badly finished work... so they can earn the joy and satisfaction of work well done...  People might once buy something badly-made out of sympathy... but a well-made product will have buyers coming back... and bringing others...

Among the pile of things we have to sell at the International Fair, there are half a dozen ugly, odd-colored bead turtle key chains... If I had seen Ruth Shirley, I would have talked to her about it... but fortunately I didn’t...   The rest of the story in a bit...

For the International Fair, we spend hours in getting a spot, setting up, organizing and selling...  Why?  Because selling a little beaded cell phone charm, change purse or bracelet or hair scrunchie is SO much more than just a sale...  

 

*  It is our students learning that obedience is the way to go...  “He who steals, should steal no more... but work honestly with his hands...” Ephesians 4:28...

*  It is our students seeing tangibly God’s faithfulness in providing for their every need...

*  It is encouragement for the beaten down...  For someone to buy what THEY have made is a tangible lesson that they AREN’T “good for nothing”, they CAN do something, they do have VALUE...

*  It is HOPE...

-  Mariela wants to save up for a much needed operation ($300 – 400 US)...  (yet she still spent some of her earnings to buy a cold pop for the volunteers at our stand to say THANKS...)

- Ana María needs to buy a gas tank (hers was stolen) so its easier for her to cook... but even more basic than a gas tank, shower head, door or window for her room is food for her kids...

-  Tania, Basilia, Sebastiana, Roxana, Mery Z., Judith, Ana Gabriela and Mery A. all need for the basic necessities for their daily life.  If there is any money left over, they can have it in their “savings account” at El Jordan for any unexpected need...

Back to the ugly turtles...   Last night at the fair, a volunteer told me that Ruth Shirley is ready to give up...  She started coming to El Jordan several months ago... but her boyfriend still wasn’t ready to leave his bad habits behind...  He apparently came “home” (the wooden room where Mery used to live), saw Ruth working on her beaded things... and flew into a rage... throwing out her tiny little beads, grinding them into the dirt...

She was/is a hair from abandoning her 2 month old baby girl and going back to the streets... (she’s had at least 3 other kids who are no longer in her care...) She gathered up the beads that she could... washed them off... and made some key chains...   What do you think selling those turtles means to her? 

It is a matter of life or death.

That is why this fair means so much to us... and why the sacrifice of energy and time isn’t even an issue... That is why even though we’re not naturally good venders, we get out of our comfort zone and TRY... because we know what is on the line... and it is much more than a $0.50 US sale!

SO... when WE see how God favors us and our students, opening the way before us... how do you think WE feel?  It is absolutely amazing to be front-seat witnesses of God’s grace, mercy and power...

First, we saw Him GIVE us a double-spot in the artisan section... FREE spots in the fair!! ...without even whining, crying, or pleading!  We sent a letter to the other organization that used to give us a space at the fair... but because of their ever-increasing internal bureaucracy (plus a new group of people in charge – including the secretary) and our decision to not force the issue, we assumed we wouldn’t get it... On Monday, 4 days before the fair started, they phoned US to say that we had a space... plus two entrance passes for the 10 days... 

Wow... Both spaces are quite hidden... and our first nights of sales was disappointing...  Again, its not the amount that is important, it is the VALUE of that sale... We pray and hope... and pray some more - that things will sell especially for those who need it the most...

Our artisan spot was right in a back, dark, hidden corner... Very few people where even making it by the stand... Pray... pray... and pray some more... There was really nothing more to do...

Even when they didn’t have time, the guys at our shops spent a LONG day/night (36hrs) welding together a roof for our outdoor stand because to buy one was just too expensive...  Everyone has worked together, going the second and third miles to make things come together... We have all done everything we possibly can...

And then... last night, we saw God act on our behalf...

The artisans went to complain that they had been stuck in a hidden corner of the fair... The fair’s manager came by last night to see what could be done...  He started re-arranging stands so there would be better visibility...  He came by our stand (at the very, very back) and his helper said, “Oh... this is the center?” “Yes” he said, “very presentable... Can you move your stand?  Move to the entrance...”  (the very best spot!!!)  Who cared about the fact that our little roof was screwed into the cement pad, that our boxes etc weighed a ton, that the tool needed to unscrew it all was 20min taxi ride away, that the new spot didn’t have lights (but God provided that for 5bs ($0.90 US), that we would have to pack everything up and set it all up again in a matter of minutes (the whole ordeal took about 45 -1hr)... Of course we can move!!!!  It was at this point that tears came.  Our volunteers, volunteers from the other children’s home selling with us, other venders who were selling other items, even our caretaker who came flying in taxi with the right tools all pitched in to help... it was amazing to watch not one ounce of selfishness fall, everyone helping everyone, believers and unbelievers working together.. we were moved and when it was all over, stood back and said wow... look what God did!!!  The emotion was high and real... God you gave us more then we could have asked or imagined!!! (We thought the free spaces were amazing!)

The last shall be first...  Out of the 40 or 50 stalls in the artisan section, without any pushing, shoving or demanding, we were moved to the most visible spot...   THANK YOU GOD...

There are 7 nights left  in the fair...

Could you pray that God will continue to bless our students by bringing people to see, appreciate and buy their products?

We are waiting in anticipation to see what God is going to do...

Thanks for being a part of it all through your prayers...

Because HE is faithful,

Heidi and Corina – for all of  “our” kids...