Coming Full Circle

First of all - a quick note of thanks to everyone who has been praying for the Clays and the the artisans at ApParent Project.  As you know, Tropical Storm Isaac blew over Haiti this past weekend.  Many people are still displaced from the earthquake and living in tents.  Tents and high winds/rain just don't mix.  All are safe and they are continuing to work to get them out of tents and into safer housing.  Here is the email I received from Shelley late last night:

"We're doing fine! We are going to use the "land" money to get people into rentals... Even though it is not permanent it will be better than going through this over and over! Should be able to help at least 30 families.

No deaths or injuries at all!! Amazing!

We still have no city power or Internet (only my phone is working for email)... But that's not unusual on normal weeks :) ha!

It's been pleasantly cool and life goes on.....

Tell everyone the prayers went up and Haiti was pretty much spared!!"

Xx

Shelley Clay

If you would like to donate directly to them to help get the artisans into rentals, you can do that here. Just click on the Donate to AP tab.  

Now - on a similar note - I have to share another great "Aha" moment that I had this week.  Bare with me as we go back in time almost two years.

Well, first off, let's go back a little further.  I have to say that if God had not put us at Ocean Park for the three years we were there - Haiti may never have been on my radar.  The people at Ocean Park were alredy involved with the orphange that was begun by the JBA (Jacksonville Baptist Association).  A handful of them were taking trips down and were very involved.

So, in October 2010, Russ went with a group from the church.  You can read all about that here:

Russell's Trip to Haiti

As you can see, a little guy named Kervens became attached to him and Russ came home prayerfully trying to decide what to do.  This was when we learned that the majority of orphans in Haiti have parents.  Kervens was not to be a part of our family but would be used to lead us down a much different path.  One of orphan prevention.

After much struggle over Christmas that year - How is it that we in America spend so much money on "Stuff" when people around the world are starving? Are uneducated? Are homeless?  Need clean water?  Need jobs?  You get the point. 

Though There's Pain in the Offering

All of this struggling led me to Apparent Project.

Here's where I had my major Aha moment.  Wow!  I read this now and see all that God has done and I am amazed!

I Get it!!!!!

The rest, as they say, is history.  Here I sit almost two years later, looking back on all the places God has taken me with this - including Haiti itself - and I am humbled and amazed.

In the last few weeks, I have discovered that this thing has come full circle.

Check out the AP necklace on the baby!  LOVE!!!

Now here's where it gets fun. (As if it's not already!)

So - in October of 2010 Russ went to Cabaret Children's Home in Haiti and became friends with David Garrett (JBA's Haiti Champion)

By December of 2010, I am selling Apparent Project Jewelry and collecting/shipping cereal boxes to Haiti.

After many months of collecting, selling, talking my head off about AP, the Lord opens the door for me to go down there and stay for a week.  I go in February of 2012 and by this time I have sold about $10,000 in jewelry for AP.

I come home KNOWING that God was going to do something BIG - but not quite sure what or how.

We are called to Hickory Grove and the people embrace it like you wouldn't believe.  The word is spreading and I am going all over Clay County and Jacksonville talking about it, selling it, collecting boxes, etc.

In the meantime, David Garrett resigns from the JBA position to take a new position at a church.

First Baptist Orange Park is getting ready to take a group of people to the Cabaret Children's Home and Russ sees a post on Facebook about them raising money for the trip.  He calls the pastor and tells him about me and about AP's new Fundraiser Bracelet program.

I go to FBCOP and speak to them about the bracelets and tell them all about Apparent Project.  I also meet Ryan and Stacie Rouse.  They are ALL over Apparent Project and excited!!!!

Shortly after this, Ryan announces that he has been offered David's position at JBA and that he and his family will be moving to Haiti some time next year.  So now he will be in charge of organizing all the churches taking trips to the orphanage as well as funds for the orphanage, etc.

Ryan takes his team to Haiti and comes home with a TON of AP Fundraiser Bracelets!

Whoo Hoo!!!!

At least 10 Different churches in the JBA are now selling the bracelets.  Half the money goes back to Apparent Project and the other half goes to Cabaret Children's Home - where this whole thing started!

100% goes back to Haiti!  How awesome is that!?  It's helping an existing orphanage as well as helping to prevent more orphans.

I sit here dumbfounded.  I KNEW this was going to take off - but I also didn't see the how/when/ where.  I also knew that I couldn't do it all - it had to involve more people.  

As I continue to sell and talk and collect boxes, the word has gotten out.  I've done another $12,000 in jewelry sales just since February which makes $22,000 in total sales.  That figure blows my mind!  And Christmas is coming!  I cannot wait to see what God is going to do this fall!

I've been able to spread the word about the fundraiser bracelets and they are being sold all over Jacksonville now (as well as other cities thanks to my blog and Facebook) - and helping many good causes, as well as the artisans in Haiti.

Shelley has had to hire more people to keep up with the demand and our church is sending ridiculous amounts of cereal boxes down there to help her keep up.

Please know that I sit here writing all of this very cautiously.  I know that I am one person among so many that are doing things like this for AP all over our country and Canada.  I do not take any of this lightly and I am in no way, shape or form trying to "toot my own horn".

When I put this all together in my mind last week, I didn't know whether to jump up and down or just sit and weep.  Actually, over a period of time, I've done both.  This thing just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Only God knew where this would go two years ago when I was struggling with something as simple as Christmas gifts.  How many times do I struggle with things, get an idea in my head or wrestle with a new concept and just pass it off as being stupid or exhaustion or even easier - hormones?  It's too "difficult" to face - so we just ignore it.  The idea of where it could lead, the changes it could create or what the solution could be is too hard so we pass it off and make excuses.  If we are not willing to be teachable - how much do we miss out on????? 

Once again God has proven himself faithful.  I am so thankful that I fought through the struggle.  That I was willing to be teachable.  In my own mind, it's like I look around at all that has transpired and God whispers "well done."  We don't always get to see the results of our obedience - and I'm sure there is sooooo much more that I do not know about.  But I am thankful for the little glimpses He gives me.  It inspires me to keep going - knowing that I am doing exactly what I was called to do.  Apparent Project is my heart and my passion.  God has put that in me and He is doing amazing things with it.  He has used it to change my life.  To educate me - to give me a heart for the poor - to give me a platform to help - to give me an even greater purpose.  ALL that has transpired is because of Him - and I get to be a part of it.

Being obedient to God's calling on our lives is the absolute BEST place to be.  EVER.   It's not always easy and often requires new forms of faith.  But when we follow His plan for our lives, we have a sense of purpose and passion.  We are who He made us to be.  There is such freedom and joy in that - no matter what comes our way.  And that becomes contagious!!!! And when He give us glimpses of all that He is up to, we are humbled and amazed that he chose us to be a part.  Goodness knows, He doesn't NEED us - but He loves us and desires to use us - to teach us - to teach others and to bring insurmountable joy to our lives.  What an awesome Father we have.

Christmas is coming - I have a TON of jewelry.  I will be receiving Christmas ornaments and things soon.  Make your Christmas gifts count this year as you support the artisans in Haiti and make your friends and family aware of the need.  It's a win win situation!  I am already booking parties, etc.  Let me know if you would like to host one.

Until next time - I'll just keep singing this:

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name


10,000 Reasons by Matt Redmond