a cord of 3 strands…

…is not easily broken!!
Ecclesiastes 4:12
if you’ve been around here for a while, then you know all about our deep love for Haiti. i’ve been able to travel there for the last 11 years, and with each year, i fall more and more in love with the country and the people. that nation has changed my life in more ways than i can even put into words!

we’re headed back there this week, and in some ways, it feels like we are returning home. i can’t wait to see my friends, and to see all that God has done in the last year!

last year, i was able to do some work in Haiti that combined all my passions, and i felt completely ALIVE!! i am thrilled to get to do that again!!

i get the absolute privilege (and i do not say that lightly…that’s exactly how i feel!) to get to work with a ministry called 3Cords.

3Cords is a social enterprise founded in September 2010 (after the earthquake) to train, employ, and empower Haitian amputee women and their families. Their mission is to provide opportunities to women that are deemed invaluable in their communities due to their physical disabilities, and to show them that they are both beautiful and valuable. They do this by training the women as artisans in a loving, community oriented environment.

each Haitian woman employed by 3Cords is either an amputee or a caretaker of an amputee. this ministry provides these women with a way to support their families and themselves. it is truly like watching redemption happen before your very eyes! i’ve said this before, but i can’t help but to think about the verse found in Isaiah 61:3, where One is being sent “to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.” that is exactly what God is using this ministry to do!

(photo credit)

you might remember this post from last year where i told you all about my time with these women. i also mentioned that they were working towards a website where those of us in the US and beyond could buy their products. well…that’s officially happened!!!

you can go to www.3cordshaiti.com to see a picture of each woman, to read some of their stories, and to buy some of the products that they make!

this ministry is expanding, and in the last year, a new building has been constructed so that they can now have their own space in which to work and organize. i am SO excited to get to be working with them!

one of the things that i’ll get to do this coming week is teach the women a new pattern, so that they can add it to their products that they are currently selling on the website. the pattern was created by my friend, Diana, and i am so excited to get to teach them how to sew this adorable reversible tote bag, with a pocket. here are some pictures of the bag style that i’ll be teaching:

i’ll also be bringing back lots of new products for the website, so be sure to check out the website for updates!

click on this link to take you to their website!

can’t wait to tell you all about it!