This week, Holley Gerth’s God-sized dream team is
sharing about our favorite nonprofit organizations. Why? They are God-sized
dreams in action.
If I’d been asked this a month ago, I wouldn’t have had an
answer. There are nonprofits I support and ones I think are important and
needed, but one that moves me…I couldn’t name one. And then I attended the Jumping Tandem Retreat and was
introduced to Vi Bella.
Vi Bella means “beautiful life”. We chose the name because it is our aim to help women live the beautiful life that God intends for them. ~ Vi Bella
Vi Bella founder Julie Hulstein told her story of how a
mission trip to Haiti in June 2010 turned into a God-sized dream to help women
there living in poverty, unable to feed their children, with no jobs to be
found.
She described “mudpies”—small cakes made of mud, seasoning,
and fillers—baked, and fed to the children. Mudpies give the stomach a sense of
being full, but provide no nutritional value.
With the abundance of food we have to choose from, it’s hard
to fathom having to feed my daughter mud to stop the hunger pains.
Julie expressed coming back with the feeling that she had to
do something to help…and Vi Bella
was born.
We started Vi Bella solely to provide jobs for women who were living in extreme poverty in a country where employment is scarce at best. We felt that by providing women with good-paying jobs in safe, encouraging work environments, we could help sustain positive, long lasting change in a way that gives women the dignity of helping themselves and their families. "Sharing the love of Christ by providing life-changing jobs for at-risk women" is still our mission statement, and our main goal. ~ Vi Bella
Vi Bella now employs women in
Haiti, Mexico, and the United States—women who needed employment opportunities
or a second chance in life…women who stand taller now because they have a sense
of purpose and a way to provide for themselves and their families.
Vi Bella jewelry spreads love and fellowship across cultures by providing a sense of purpose that rejuvenates once-tattered lives. You’re not just collecting a piece of Vi Bella, you’re helping create a beautiful life.
“I came that they may have life, and have it to
the full.” John10:10b NIV
A month ago, I didn’t have a nonprofit
organization to speak about, now I have one that has captured my heart. Please
visit Vi Bella at www.vibellajewelry.com to read more of the
story and to learn about the artists, the jewelry made from recycled materials,
and how Vi Bella gives back to their artists’ communities.
To help in the small way that I can, I am hosting an online
Vi Bella party. It’s going on now—from Tuesday, May 14—Thursday, May 23.
To view their beautiful jewelry, click here: Vi Bella Jewelry.
**If you decide to place an order, Please write Laura Rath Book Party in the Special Instructions box
on the order form. Thank you! (See example below.) Orders will ship as they are placed, and not wait until the party closes.**
Do you have a nonprofit near and dear to your heart?
In Christ,
Laura
Linking up with Holley
Gerth, Soli Deo Gloria, Sharing His Beauty, #TellHisStory, Winsome Wednesday, WholeHearted Home, and Coming Alive Ministries.
Order Form Example:
Shopping Cart
ITEM
|
QTY
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PRICE
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SUBTOTAL
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Tax: $0.83
Shipping: $3.95
TOTAL: $12.74
Special Instructions
Ohhhh, I love this challenge from Holly. I always like to hear about the kinds of organizations which capture the hearts of loyal supporters.
ReplyDeleteDear Laura
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful organization! Yes, it is heartbreaking to think that a mom is so desperate that she feeds her children mud because she has nothing else. Thanks for sharing your new friend.
Blessings
Mia
Thanks for sharing the story of Vi Bella. I love hearing about women who are being given a hand up to help themselves live better, healthier and more beautiful lives!
ReplyDeleteCartwheels! Confetti! Loud music! Chocolate Cake!
ReplyDelete^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
That's what I'm feeling on the inside -- like a party -- because you chose to highlight ViBella, from all of the nonprofits out there.
As a woman who has visited these artists, and who has met their families and visited their homes, I want you to know that what you're doing here today makes such a difference, Laura. Such.A.Difference. So grateful for you.
Love, Jennifer
Oh Jennifer, you make me smile! Thank you for stopping by and leaving such an encouraging comment.
DeleteI hope that at the very least, the Vi Bella name and story will get out there and become better known. It's such an inspiring story and just makes me want to help in the small way that I can. And of course, the jewelry is beautiful!
Mmmmm, chocolate cake sounds good now!
YAY! ViBella! I am smitten with them, it's true. And with the entire crew of women who work and who serve. What a thrill to see them highlighted here!
ReplyDeleteHow neat! Going to check them out now.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite non-profit in this season is Manna House, a local food/clothing place for the homeless and needy. We get to volunteer there often and are always, always touched by God's generosity that we see and get to hand out.
ReplyDeleteI love how Holly has asked others to share about a not-for-profit. What a wonderful way to bring awareness to organizations that have touched others hearts. I'm a military family so most of our support goes towards military efforts, but you have inspired me to check out ViBella. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Beth
This sounds like a blessing. Thanks for linking up this week at WholeHearted Home.
ReplyDelete