if you live in southeast michigan...

I'd like to direct you to Ali's blog: Amani is Coming.

I traveled with Ali and Theresa to Kenya back in May, and what they are doing here in the States to respond to their experience is thrilling and challenging. The vision for even taking this annual trip to Kenya is exactly this: that members of our church, so gifted and well-equipped in many ways, would apply their skills and their hearts to loving the needy. Please consider attending this event on November 8. It is open to the public and is being advertised throughout Ann Arbor.

We have purchased a diaper bag for the little lady (sturdy and stunning, totally unlike anything you'd find in an American store) and a little bag full of stuffed animals (Kevin actually got it for me in Nairobi at the Amani headquarters on Mother's Day). You won't be disappointed--the products are designed with Westerners in mind.

Here's some more info from Ali:

"We're writing to tell you about a non-profit organization in Africa and how you can help refugee women just by doing your Christmas shopping. This organization is called Amani Ya Juu, Swahili for "Peace from Above" or "Higher Peace." It's a program that started in Nairobi, Kenya but reaches out to refugee women from many African countries. Women are taught sewing skills and gain experience in purchasing, bookkeeping, design, and more, while seeds of peace are sown in their lives through cross-cultural relationships and Bible study.

The beautiful things they make are then sold in Kenya and around the world, and every single penny spent on their things is put back into the program, to give the women a fair wage and to continue training other women.

Saturday, November 8, from 11am to 3pm, we're bringing Amani to Ann Arbor. There will be many products for sale, ranging from journals to bags, kitchen and home decor to kids toys, beautiful jewelry, and more. Everything is unique, made by hand from African materials.

There will also be a raffle. The money from the raffle will go toward buying a new sewing machine for the women in Nairobi.

Please stop on by to learn more about Africa and purchase some unforgettable Christmas presents that really do give back!"

Amani sale
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 11am-3pm
New Life Church Building -- 1541 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor, MI 48104