Apparent Project

Jarod was assigned to make a video for his Broadcast Communications Class at school.  This is what he came up with.  So very proud!!!!





Feel free to share!!!

Quick Update

Quick update on our sweet Helen.  The Dr.'s appointment went well on Wednesday.  She will have a Mastectomy on May 21 and as long as her lymph nodes are clear, (which they pretty sure that they are)  there will not be a need for radiation or chemotherapy.

We are extremely excited and hopeful with this news.  Please continue to pray with us as the surgery approaches.  Pray that all will go well and the lymph nodes will be clear.  Also pray that Helen can keep busy and keep her mind occupied so she does not become too overwhelmed.  She is doing very well.

Original Post - Won't You Pray With Us?

Thanks again!!!!

Until Next Time.......

Recycling Oil Drums

I love Croix des Bouquet.  

 

It's an area in Haiti where they recycle the 55 gallon oil drums into beautiful works of art with nothing but a hammer and a nail.  Shelley uses their work in many of the Apparent Project necklaces.  It adds such a unique look.

When we traveled to Haiti last month, I asked Shelley if she would take us all there.  It's completely and totally amazing to pull up into the neighborhood and hear the tink-tink-tink of the artisans working.

Shelley has found a metal artisan who is willing to take special orders.  We sent Shelley our requests weeks before we went and Claude Pierre worked on all of them.  When we went that day, we were able to meet him.

Russ thought big and ordered an entire verse of scripture.  He has a HUGE wall in his office at church that needed something unique.

Claude Pierre didn't quite have it finished yet, but he showed Russ what he did have.

 

Russ and Claude Pierre

By Friday, he had it all finished and delivered it to the Apparent Project House for us.

And today - it made it to the wall in his office - 

 "From an oil drum to a work of art 

proclaiming the riches of God's grace."

 ~ Russell Franklin

 What a wonderful piece of art work that Russ will enjoy for years to come.  

And being able to meet the artisan - priceless! 

Until next time......

 

From Their Point of View - Part 2

I asked everyone from our Haiti Team to share a little about what they experienced while on our trip.  I thought you would like to read all the different perspectives.  Here's the second one -  Enjoy!

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Guest Blogger - Donna Minigh

I am personally amazed at how this trip gave me a more intimate relationship with God, a deeper relationship with my husband, children and a closer relationship to the members of my church family that went on the trip. This trip also started many new relationships that will continue to grow: with two amazing people Shelley and Corrigan Clay and with the people of Haiti. When I planned to go on this trip I didn't know what to expect. Even though I did have some anxiety, I knew GOD had his loving hands on our team the whole time.

Momma who wanted to give me her daughter

I told myself there would always be things that make you anxious, and some decisions will in fact, be life-changing. I realized that even if you do try to plan everything perfectly, you will inevitably face challenges you couldn’t have predicted. Have enough faith in yourself and the people in your life to believe that, no matter what happens, you’ll figure out how to deal with it and move forward from there. I was not prepared for the mother who approached me and wanted to GIVE me her child (yes I said give).  I thought why would a mother want to give her child away? And it hit later that night, it was because she loved her sweet baby girl so much that she would be willing to let someone have her sweet Jessica. Because she could not provide for her child, this is the big picture people, which is why we sell and buy the beautiful jewelry made from the Apparent Project so mothers and fathers can keep their children.  

Teaching CPR to the artisans

I realized why God sent me to Haiti, so He could show my team and I how much He loves all of His children. He touched all of our hearts bringing us from an entirely different country and culture; to reach not only the hearts of others, but our hearts as well. He must love me a lot because my heart was over flowing with love and compassion for the mothers, fathers and children of Haiti.

It was amazing to see how the Haitian people recognized God’s abilities, yet struggle with so many of their daily burdens. I am telling you this today, whatever issue that you are struggling with, let it go and let GOD take care of it. I’ve seen families living in unimaginable conditions, and yet their smiles were infectious, and their eyes were full of joy, not despair.

 Please continue to keep the Apparent Project, Shelley, Corrigan and their four lovely children in your prayers.

God Bless,

Donna Minigh

Learning pottery from the artisans

Until next time.....


From Their Point of View - Part 1

Being Stretched - It's Always Worth It!

Yesterday was our quarterly Board Meeting for Apparent Project.  This time we were all over the country and Haiti so we met for an hour via conference call.

Being on the Board is still very overwhelming to me.  It brings up all my fears, and insecurities.   I worry that if and when I open my mouth, all of my lack of knowledge will be revealed.  I feel very small and unworthy but, I am still new and  still learning and I know that God has brought me to this place for a reason.  I also know that God does great work in my life when He takes me out of my comfort zone.  So as uncomfortable and insecure as I may feel, I will continue to plug on, seeking His guidance in the middle of it all.  And trusting that all the other Board Members and Staff will be patient with me as I walk through this process.

It's funny  -  in the last few years I have grown the most confident, the most secure in who I am and what my purpose is in life.  It's just like God to bring something in that shakes all that up - keeping me humble and relying on Him.  The wonderful thing is - no matter my confidence level - He still uses me.  I think that is pretty awesome!

The Clay County Fair ended a week ago.  I have been in a 'coma' all week trying to recover.  It was a great experience.  Ten days, over 40 volunteers, many connections and over $5000 in sales!  We were all able to talk to so many people and the potential is huge!  We handed out lots of literature about Apparent Project, their fundraisers and my info so I can come and do my presentation with other churches, schools and community organizations.

After ten long days working our booth, I've been doing a lot of evaluating as to whether or not all that time was "worth it."  Not a good question to ask yourself when you are tired.

Yesterday, during our Board Meeting, Shelley mentioned that that morning alone she had two different moms stop at the gate outside of Apparent Project and try to give her their babies.  My heart broke.  It's a good thing we were all on the phone as I sat there crying.

THIS is why I sell.  THIS is why I give up ten days to run a booth and tell people about Apparent Project.  THIS is why I go around talking to churches, etc.  These moms are desperate.  They love their babies and want them to live.  It's so sad to me that giving your babies to orphanages is so 'normal' in Haiti.  Shelley walks through her community and people are constantly asking her for a job.  She desires to employ as many people as possible. So - we have to continue to spread the word - have parties - sell the jewelry.  As the demand grows, she can hire more artisans.

So - Yes.  The fair was worth it!  We raised $5000 for now and laid the ground work for future sales.  We helped to support the artisans and allow them to keep their babies.  As word grows, we will help employ more people.

As Mother's Day approaches - I can't think of a better gift for mom.  A beautiful piece of jewelry that allows a mom in Haiti to keep her baby.  Won't you consider having your own jewelry party?  Do you need to raise funds for an adoption, a ministry opportunity or another cause?  The Fundraiser bracelets are perfect for that! 

You don't have to be as involved as I am - just volunteer to do one party.  Order a box (no cost up front), have your friends over, tell the story and sell the jewelry.  When your finished, mail the money and the leftover jewelry back.  It's that easy!  For more information - click here.

You have followed my blog - you've read how it's changed my life.  How Apparent Project is changing the lives of the artisans.  Won't you give some of your time to help spread the word?

Lives depend on it.

Maybe it's a little out of your comfort zone.  I promise you - it will be worth it!!!!




Until next time.....

From Their Point of View - Part 1

I asked everyone from our Haiti Team to share a little about what they experienced while on our trip.  I thought you would like to read all the different perspectives.  Here's the first one -  Enjoy!

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Guest Blogger - Rick Rivers 

 

I traveled with a group of ten people from Hickory Grove Baptist Church.  The trip was in support of Apparent Project.  I would encourage you to check out their website at apparentproject.org and learn more about their efforts for poverty alleviation in Haiti.  They are not perfect but I believe they are making a big difference in many lives in Haiti.

We were able to paint three homes in a local community called Clairvil.  These are post-earthquake homes built by Apparent Project.  They are 10’ x 10’ one room homes that are 2’ x 4’ frame with plywood walls and a metal roof.  It would have been possible to just drop off the paint and allow them to do the work themselves but had we not stayed in the community and painted these houses we would have missed out on what I think was the most vital part of the trip, relationship building with those living in the community.

We were also able to use the skills we use on a daily basis.  I was able to install some locks to help with some security issues.  Others taught basic first aid to the group leaders at Apparent Project.  We worked on some newly acquired space that will allow for expansion and will provide opportunity for employing more people.  We spent time watching and learning from the artisans as they created beauty from recycled materials.

I learned so much from those who had so little.  I now have a new perspective on what poverty is and a genuine appreciation for what we have.  It was a blessing to be part of this and I hope to return in the future.

A closing thought for you to ponder.  Poverty is not about material things but more about the relational distance between those that have and those that don’t.

God Bless!

 Until next time.......


From Their Point of View - Part 2

Won't You Pray With Us?

We returned from Haiti and entered a whirlwind of activities.  The first being Easter Sunday.  I was
so thankful that we were heading to Russell's parents for our annual Easter dinner after church that day.  We were exhausted and I was thankful I didn't have to worry about cooking.

It was during lunch, after the kids left the table, that Helen let us know that she was having a biopsy done.  She had found a lump in her breast and the Doctor was concerned. 

Cancer is never an easy word to hear.  I don't care who you are.  It brings so many emotions all at once.  Breast cancer for Russell's family - well, it's a little more intimidating.  Russ has several cousins who have had it and have done great.  But, both Helen's sister and daughter (Belinda) have died from it.

We said nothing to the kids, especially since Jarod remembers his Aunt Beau (that's what the kids called her) and plugged away.  I have been so thankful to have the Apparent Project Booth at the fair to keep me busy.  Last Wednesday, while setting up, she went in for her biopsy.  The Doctor was honest and let her know that he was still concerned but she could come in the following week for the results.

That was today.   She went for her appointment and was told that yes, it is cancer.  The doctor seems very optimistic.  The specialists will gather now and set up a treatment plan.  She returns on April 24 to find out the best treatment for her situation.  We will know more then.

Russ is in North Carolina for a conference this week.  We chatted on the phone tonight - he is very positive about it.  We decided to go ahead and tell the kids as many of you are praying and we didn't want them to find out from someone else by accident.  Both took it well - they had lots of questions and I answered them the best that I could.  We had a special prayer time for Nana this evening.  I am praying for peace and healing - but also that God would allow my kids to really see Him in all of this.

I am so thankful for Helen.  For the wonderful mother-in-law that she is and for the way that she
loves my kids.  She's an awesome Nana to them and such a huge help to me.  I say it all the time but I could NOT have asked for better in-laws.  They have loved me - my family - well.

This hasn't surprised our Heavenly Father at all and He will use it to bring us closer to Him and to each other.  It's been more than 10 years since we walked this path - I pray that our faith will continue to grow and we will all see His love and power in new ways.  That we won't miss a thing that He has for us to learn.  There is always a reason that He allows suffering to enter our lives - may we all walk through it trusting that He is in complete control and knowing that He loves us more than we can comprehend.


Won't you pray with us?