Those of you who receive my newsletter or read my previous post talking about Purchase Effect, have already shared in the birth of this business. Some of you have given me great advice for business, administrative, financial, marketing… etc. I am so thankful for each and every one of you who have offered your wisdom and experience to help make this dream come to life. The Story of Purchase Effect is very much my story as well. Today I want to share with you my story….
Purchase Effect comes from an idea 2006, but it dates even farther back that that…. all the way back to a small boarding school in the foothills of the Andes Mountains and to a bustling capital city built as a circle within circles, where my family first lived on the field. As a Third Culture Kid (a TCK), so much of the person I am now reaches back to those days and then forward through the rest of my life, as I’ve seen need overseas, wanted to help, but felt helpless to find a real way to do it. I knew it was a bigger than I was… their need. I knew that I couldn’t help every single one in the way that I wanted to. I remembered their stories and shared them with those I met in the States, and often heard the same thing: “Is there a way I help? I wish there were.” I realized that if these stories had a broader stage, their impact would be that much greater, as well as the possibility for real and beautiful change. The idea, the dream I had, was bigger than just one person.
As all great stories are.
Something I’m good at is shopping. And while that sounds silly to some, I’ve found that the ability to give that “it’s just so perfect” gift is a gift in itself, for that person feels as if he/she has been seen… and know that they matter- as if someone has heard their story. I love making things beautiful, and I feel like God has given me an ability to do so through decorating. But I’ve found that what makes something “pop” is the story behind it… telling about the old woman who sells blankets to support her family, a blanket that now keeps someone in the States warm at night. When I lived in Bolivia, my boarding school had a hand radio we used to communicate and that was it. We returned to the States every few years. In many ways, we were remote from the world we came from and at teams, from the world itself. As technology and inventions have changed, we now are all just one bad night’s sleep from the other side of the world. We are all connected in a way that we couldn’t perceive thirty years ago.
That connection is the key.
This business, this dream is a way to promote an international market and
community, a way to make a lasting impact, to bring the needs of the
world to everyday life in the States. After all, people buy Christmas
and birthday presents, wedding gifts, and things to decorate their
homes… why not help someone at the same time, and get something
beautiful in the process?
community, a way to make a lasting impact, to bring the needs of the
world to everyday life in the States. After all, people buy Christmas
and birthday presents, wedding gifts, and things to decorate their
homes… why not help someone at the same time, and get something
beautiful in the process?
So back to early 2006, when this idea came to me. I shared it with Don and a few others, but the time didn’t seem right. I put it in the back of my mind, but it was always there, reminding me of something important, something I was meant to do.
Then, last summer, I shared the dream with a few others. First, my friend and co-worker, Kristen, one night over dinner. Her response was “How can I help?” Then I shared it with Seth Barnes, the CEO of AIM, Clint Bokelman, my direct supervisor, both businessmen who said, “Do it. We feel the Spirit of God behind this dream.”
I had so many questions, too many to fit into my head. As the days and weeks passed, those ideas multiplied. I feel sorry for the people I got to with my questions, even though they are patient with me! As my big brother says… “eat the elephant one bite at a time”, refusing to give in to the fear that this dream is just too big. Trusting that I am following what the Lord has set out for me and trying to be faithful with what has been given to me to do.
The first step was to get merchandise.
Last year, when we went to Costa Rica, Kristen and I scrounged up whatever
spare cash we could find and came back with merchandise: beautiful,
Costa Rican wood, pottery, and of course, the handcrafted clay birds
made by Jose and his family at Artesanias Ecologicas El Tucan.
This business, which employs 7 different families in Jose’s extended
family network also helps provide for a drug rehab center for men. When
we sell items from Costa Rica, a portion of the proceeds go to that
rehab center.
spare cash we could find and came back with merchandise: beautiful,
Costa Rican wood, pottery, and of course, the handcrafted clay birds
made by Jose and his family at Artesanias Ecologicas El Tucan.
This business, which employs 7 different families in Jose’s extended
family network also helps provide for a drug rehab center for men. When
we sell items from Costa Rica, a portion of the proceeds go to that
rehab center.
Then, in the DR, we met Ramona, who sits by the side of the road
and weaves baskets every day. She is disabled and has horrific, chronic
pain in her knee. Yet she sits and creates; for this provides for her
family.
and weaves baskets every day. She is disabled and has horrific, chronic
pain in her knee. Yet she sits and creates; for this provides for her
family.
In India, our host hooked us up with a provider of the best of
Indian products: scarves, bags, pillow shams, and jewelry of the most
beautiful colors and design. When we bring these goods to shows, we tell
the stories of the little ones at Asha House
and how a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to help feed,
clothe, provide education, and keep these little ones safe and in their
home, their home where they are loved and learn the good news of Jesus
Christ.
Indian products: scarves, bags, pillow shams, and jewelry of the most
beautiful colors and design. When we bring these goods to shows, we tell
the stories of the little ones at Asha House
and how a portion of the proceeds from the sale will go to help feed,
clothe, provide education, and keep these little ones safe and in their
home, their home where they are loved and learn the good news of Jesus
Christ.
Lastly, in Thailand, we met woman after teenager, pre-teen after
child, being sold, pimped out, and abused for the sake of pleasure. We
walked the streets of one of the most notorious Red Light Districts of
Bangkok, buying Cokes for the ladies of the night who dance on the
stage, hoping for those few precious moments to tell them that they are
beautiful and loved for who they are. There we learned of Rabab Ministries Thailand,
located in the heart of Patpong, who reaches out to the bar girls,
gives training for practical life skills, and walks them through the
restoration process. Again, we found more vendors, a woman named Bea with the most beautiful beaded bracelets, a merchant with a store full of embroidered bags, a different shop owner wearing a t-shirt with the logo The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, who had rack upon rack of
fisherman pants/shorts. And after we brought these goods–and more–back
to the States to sell, we began to tell the story of those who walk the
streets of Pat Pong.
child, being sold, pimped out, and abused for the sake of pleasure. We
walked the streets of one of the most notorious Red Light Districts of
Bangkok, buying Cokes for the ladies of the night who dance on the
stage, hoping for those few precious moments to tell them that they are
beautiful and loved for who they are. There we learned of Rabab Ministries Thailand,
located in the heart of Patpong, who reaches out to the bar girls,
gives training for practical life skills, and walks them through the
restoration process. Again, we found more vendors, a woman named Bea with the most beautiful beaded bracelets, a merchant with a store full of embroidered bags, a different shop owner wearing a t-shirt with the logo The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, who had rack upon rack of
fisherman pants/shorts. And after we brought these goods–and more–back
to the States to sell, we began to tell the story of those who walk the
streets of Pat Pong.
Thanks to friends willing to host shows and connect us to those
with craft fairs, we’ve sold a large portion of the goods we acquired
last year and need to get more–a great problem to have! Checks have
been sent to those ministries mentioned above where there was profit. It
excites me that because someone bought a scarf for her mother for
Christmas, little Bagawan at Asha House will be able to eat chicken one
extra meal a month. The “Purchase Effect” has already begun!
with craft fairs, we’ve sold a large portion of the goods we acquired
last year and need to get more–a great problem to have! Checks have
been sent to those ministries mentioned above where there was profit. It
excites me that because someone bought a scarf for her mother for
Christmas, little Bagawan at Asha House will be able to eat chicken one
extra meal a month. The “Purchase Effect” has already begun!
We’ve started slowly, putting in an extra $20 here or $10 there
where we could. We’ve prayed that God would take our pennies, given in
faith, and multiply them beyond imagination. It’s a slow start and we’re
fine with that, but we’ve made it to the point where we re-invest money
from sales in new products or expenses, meaning that after the initial
small investment we made last year to purchase the first items, we are
operating on a cash flow basis. Which means no debt. We dream of the day
when this LLC is running fast, when goods are steadily coming in and
going out… and most of all, Purchase Effect
will be able to send more and more financial help to those who need it,
that the stories of these men, women, and children will spread
throughout the world, and the average consumer will be able to impact a
life simply by purchasing a handbag or scarf. This business acknowledges
our culture’s growing social consciousness and desire for fair trade,
up-cycled products and mindfulness of the earth and its inhabitants; the
recent shift we’ve seen in how we view our lasting “footprint” upon
this planet. This is practical missions and missional living, meeting
the above mentioned social desire with a venue for activism, and
possibly a way for myself to tentmake in the future as a supplement to
support. It’s a way to connect those of you who contact me and say, “I
want to help that person or that ministry; what can I do?” It’s a tool
for promoting relationships, because we tell you the stories and connect
you to those your purchase will directly help.
where we could. We’ve prayed that God would take our pennies, given in
faith, and multiply them beyond imagination. It’s a slow start and we’re
fine with that, but we’ve made it to the point where we re-invest money
from sales in new products or expenses, meaning that after the initial
small investment we made last year to purchase the first items, we are
operating on a cash flow basis. Which means no debt. We dream of the day
when this LLC is running fast, when goods are steadily coming in and
going out… and most of all, Purchase Effect
will be able to send more and more financial help to those who need it,
that the stories of these men, women, and children will spread
throughout the world, and the average consumer will be able to impact a
life simply by purchasing a handbag or scarf. This business acknowledges
our culture’s growing social consciousness and desire for fair trade,
up-cycled products and mindfulness of the earth and its inhabitants; the
recent shift we’ve seen in how we view our lasting “footprint” upon
this planet. This is practical missions and missional living, meeting
the above mentioned social desire with a venue for activism, and
possibly a way for myself to tentmake in the future as a supplement to
support. It’s a way to connect those of you who contact me and say, “I
want to help that person or that ministry; what can I do?” It’s a tool
for promoting relationships, because we tell you the stories and connect
you to those your purchase will directly help.
This is a perfect complement to the skills and passion God has given me. In all the things that I do and all the abilities God has given me, I’ve found that my heart and the summation of these gifts is that of Storyteller–whether it’s in decorating, photography, or verbally sharing the needs I’ve witnessed. This is how I strive to live, for
wherever I am, whether at Olive Garden or a market in New Delhi, I try to
talk with the people behind the counter… to get to know them.
Something we teach on AIM trips is that we are never really “off duty”
as Christians… there’s no such thing as a vacation. And the mission
field isn’t just during certain planned ministry hours; it’s on the 15-passenger van ride to a canal or while looking for souvenirs in the market.
wherever I am, whether at Olive Garden or a market in New Delhi, I try to
talk with the people behind the counter… to get to know them.
Something we teach on AIM trips is that we are never really “off duty”
as Christians… there’s no such thing as a vacation. And the mission
field isn’t just during certain planned ministry hours; it’s on the 15-passenger van ride to a canal or while looking for souvenirs in the market.
After a winter with our first sales, we need more merchandise! So the week of, March 6-12, 2012, we went to Antigua, Guatemala, to find and bring back more beautiful things to sell, and most of all, to
meet people and be a minister of hope and healing wherever the
Lord sends us. I am full of joy; for I feel as if I am living my dream. Thank you for the prayers!
Antigua is a place I know well; my parents lived in Guatemala
for 9 years and I visited often. We’re met with old friends, as went where God led.
meet people and be a minister of hope and healing wherever the
Lord sends us. I am full of joy; for I feel as if I am living my dream. Thank you for the prayers!
Antigua is a place I know well; my parents lived in Guatemala
for 9 years and I visited often. We’re met with old friends, as went where God led.
Secondly, I want to direct you to our Facebook page! Our website is still in progress, but we have a page you can order from on there, just by posting in the comment section. And please “like” us! That would make my day.
And third, please check us out in person! Currently, we’ve appeared
in local home shows, craft fairs, and flea markets. We will continually post our whereabouts on our Facebook page, so you can come see us. Please come check
it out! It would be great to see you. And if you’d like to host a home
show, let us know. We’d love to come!
in local home shows, craft fairs, and flea markets. We will continually post our whereabouts on our Facebook page, so you can come see us. Please come check
it out! It would be great to see you. And if you’d like to host a home
show, let us know. We’d love to come!
I’ll leave you now with the description of Purchase Effect from our fliers, written by Kristen.
Everyone
wants to make a difference.
wants to make a difference.
Mankind as a
whole searches for meaning-answers to questions we can’t answer and the
knowledge that we matter. All the while, we ask: “What’s the point of making a
living if we never actually live? What will people say about me when I’m gone?
Does my life matter at all?”
We know
there are bigger troubles in the world, possibly in another country or even as
close as the other side of the tracks. We know there are people who are
hurting; whose lives have turned upside down-or might never have been right
side up in the first place. Little ones who are sold into sexual slavery,
hungry mouths and eyes pleading for relief; places where child soldiers march
in the night or where AIDS threatens to take the lives of every soul within the
country’s borders. Problems too big to fix on one’s own; problems we want to
touch and somehow relieve, but don’t know how or even where to start.
It’s not an
imprint we seek, a fossilized record of a good deed; it’s the knowledge that
our lives had some kind of fluid power, a ripple effect that started small and
grew greater and greater upon impact, so that the end result is a the world
that will never again be the same.
This is the
Purchase Effect.
Each piece
we sell comes with a story-a person the purchase directly impacts. We’re not
interested in just selling you a product. Our passion is to create a venue for
international and mutually beneficial relationships.
Now you can
shop and change the world at the same time.
shop and change the world at the same time.
**Logo designed by Tim LeBreche. Photos by us, Connie and Kristen.
