The Origins of a God-Sized Dream Blog Series Part 2
Have you ever had one of those moments when you look back and ask yourself, “What ever was I thinking?!!” I’ve had more than a few, but one in particular stands out in my mind. That time I decided to take a trip out of the country with someone I had just met over the internet.
The tale begins about a year before that particular moment in time… it was the fall of 2009 and planning was underway for the annual Studio Open House I held for my jewelry design business, “Blooming Light Designs.” Normally a solo event, that year I had decided to invite two of my artist friends to participate. With extra room to spare and an interest in balancing out the product mix, I began considering the possibility of inviting one more artist/crafter to join in on the fun. Thinking handcrafted bags would be a nice offering, I sat down at my computer to begin an online search for the right candidate.
I’m not quite sure how or why, but my search for those who handcrafted bags yielded results that included the term “fair trade.” Intrigued by what I had stumbled upon, I quickly abandoned my search for a local handbag artisan and began a quest to learn more about fair trade. One thing led to another and upon discovering that, at the time, a fair trade organization (SERRV) resided within 30 minutes of my home, I made an appointment to visit the following week.
While my search never did yield an additional offering for my open house, it did spark a desire in me to get involved and learn more about supporting artisans around the globe through fair trade. So I spent the remainder of that school year volunteering at SERRV.
As I labeled envelopes and catalogs, unpacked and tagged inventory, and assisted with the setup of an onsite marketplace for “handicraft seconds,” I came to learn more about the people behind the products, their struggles and challenges, as well as many of their local handicraft traditions. Through this process I found myself drawn to the beautiful colors, materials, and techniques employed in certain parts of the world, including Guatemala.
So back to the computer I went to search for organizations that worked specifically with artisans in Guatemala. And I soon discovered a local operation that served as a warehouse for two organizations that fit the description: UPAVIM and Mayan Hands. That summer I paid a visit to the warehouse and ended up volunteering there for the duration of the next school year.
While I admired the efforts these organizations made to support the physical and emotional needs of those they served, I longed to connect with ones who supported the artisans’ spiritual needs as well. So I found myself back at my computer one more time to conduct a search that included the words “Christian Fair Trade.”
That search was the most fruitful yet, as it yielded not only the name of a Christian organization that worked with artisans in Guatemala, but the opportunity of a lifetime as well: a trip to Guatemala to meet these artisans in person. Unfortunately, the fact that the organization was based in Kansas made it a bit difficult to simply hop in the car and pop in for a quick visit, so I began an email exchange with Karen, the founder of the organization known as Education And More. One thing led to another, and early the following May I found myself on a plane to Guatemala where I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Karen in person for the first time, connect with other like-minded women in our tour group and engage in an amazing shared experience together.
For eight incredible days we had the opportunity to visit Mayan villages and homes in the Lake Atitlan region of Guatemala, meet and get to know the Mayan women artisans, experience the culture and the daily lives of the indigenous people, and learn the art of ancient backstrap weaving.
For me, the adventure was an amazing study in contrasts:
-
- The rich beauty of the Guatemalan highlands vs. the clear evidence of abject poverty in the country
-
- The colorful costumes and warm personalities of the indigenous people vs. the horrible realities they faced in the aftermath of the Guatemalan civil war, natural disasters, and through the discrimination they experience
- The standard of living (lack of material wealth) vs. the quality of life (strong family values, sense of community and simple living) of the indigenous people
While I enjoyed all aspects of the adventure, the most meaningful experience for me was the chance to connect with the women artisans as they shared their weaving skills and other gifts with us. I developed a much greater appreciation for the work these women do and for their culture simply by spending time with them as they lived their daily lives. And, despite the language barriers we faced, I sensed we reached an understanding at a deeper level through the smiles, hugs, laughter and parting tears we shared.
Upon my return from Guatemala, I created a photo album chronicling my adventure. On the final page of that album I wrote:
“I pray that God will continue to guide my steps regarding the ways in which I may use the gifts He has given me to make a positive difference in the lives of the people I met during my trip and in the lives of all those He has yet to put in my path. May He continue to shine His light brightly in and through me so that all who I encounter may be touched by Him too!”
Shortly after my trip to Guatemala I transitioned into a new season of life when I re-entered the workforce after 10 years as a stay-at-home mom. As a result, at the time I assumed my adventure had simply marked an ending. But looking back I now realize it was truly only the beginning, for it served to prepare the ground for the planting of a God-sized dream.
