trade as one

our church is doing a series, subconscience.  our church has always been known for the out-of-the-box thinking and this series is no exception.
a couple of weeks ago our pastor asked if people would be willing to give generously and asked if they would give the shoes on their feet for others.  we weren't at church that weekend, unfortunately.  the response was amazing and over 4000 people walked out of the services barefoot.  bare. foot.  the count is rising as more shoes are coming in, literally by the truck load.  it's amazing what happens with a little bit of perspective.
this week we were challenged to eat only rice and beans for three days and to drink only water out of an aluminum cup.  the idea is that we will realize the endless choices that we, as Americans have and in the process also realize how much we can easily live without.  it's easy to say that you feel for people around the world, but it's another to gain a bit of insight into their real life.  rice and beans doesn't even scrape the surface of the conditions that people live in and with, but we have to start somewhere.  just like walking out of church barefoot.  some people have never owned a pair of shoes.
we were fortunate to have nathan george, the founder of Trade As One, at our church this weekend.  what an amazing story and an incredible heart.  i encourage you to check out the site, watch the message here and maybe order something you planned to buy anyway from trade as one.  the t-shirts are the softest you could imagine and the story behind them is amazing... 10,000 organic cotton farmers in india commit suicide a year.  these farmers have no way to compete with the industrial farms, who use harsh and dangerous chemicals to boost production.  the shirts are made from the organic cotton and are then sent to california.  there, the shirts are screen printed by men who were taken off the streets and out of gangs and given a new start with trade as one.  what an incredible way to help change the lives of people all over the world.
we had the opportunity to see the products up close and personal and the quality is not disappointing.  we are going to do some Christmas shopping from the site, we liked the things so much and found something for almost everybody on our list!
we are blessed beyond measure here in the USA.  the way that people live in parts of our country and around the world, and the trials that they face daily blows my mind.  i can't begin to grasp the struggles that others face.  i can only pray that one small change that i make will have a positive impact on someone else.

happy tuesday!
a