Gregory's Paper Airplane

   

   
   I'm so excited to introduce you to Benjamin Sherman, who at the age of 8, heard about how little children in Cambodia are being mistreated, and wrote a book about it. This book is called Gregory's Paper Airplane. Some of the proceeds from his book go to two different organizations that are working towards freeing children from human trafficking. (International Justice Mission, and Agape International Missions) 

 Gregory's Paper Airplane tells the story of a boy whose restless heart compels him to act 

after watching a TV show about Cambodian children living in an orphanage. 

   When I read about Benjamin and what he is doing for the children around the world, it really moved my heart. I am so proud of Benjamin! I'm so encouraged to see kids making a real difference in this world! I love this message, it doesn't matter how young or old you are, you can make an impact! Please consider buying this book for your kids. You can purchase his book here, and to learn more go to http://www.gregoryspaperairplane.com/.  

A message from Benjamin's Parents

Benjamin started writing "books" when he was 5 years old. By the time he was 8, he had written over 100 books, including “Gregory’s Paper Airplane”.  Revealing his entrepreneurial spirit, he opened up Ben's Bookstore in his bedroom and sells his books to willing customers (aka, Dad). 

As a dad, of course, I think all of his books are awesome.  But this one, which he originally titled "How a Guy Made Earth Beter by a Flyght of a Paper Airplane" (and which cost me $1, I might add), really touched me.  Ben told me he wrote it after learning about the enslaved children in Cambodia one day at church.  I was so moved by the compassion of the story; I knew I had to do something with it.  Although I did some editing and tweaked the storyline, the vast majority of the book stays true to Benjamin’s original composition. 

Our prayer is this story inspires you to help oppressed and less fortunate children.

Ben’s Dad  

Our hope is that readers of this book will look beyond their own world and be inspired to use their gifts and passions to make a difference in the world. Ben continues to speak at events in order to raise funds to help bring rescue, freedom, and hope to children here in the United States, as well as around the world. Because his compassionate heart moved him to action, our whole family is now on mission for justice!

Ben's Mom

   I hope this story inspires you as much as it has me.  I love that at the age of 8, a little boy joined the fight for justice around the world! Great job Benjamin!

Love,

Jessica

P.S. Benjamin is now 10 years old and still speaks at events to raise funds for justice!

Info, pictures, and video were used with permission and can be found at:http://www.gregoryspaperairplane.com/

10% off Starfish Jewelry!

Today is perfect for buying some jewelry for someone special! Why? For two reasons: the money from your purchase goes to Starfish and they are working towards giving hope to women who are exploited in Asia, and from now until June 15th they are offering 10% off of their products! Time to shop! Go to www.starfish-project.com to check out their beautiful jewelry today!

Love, 
jessica

Mother's Day Sseko Sandals Package!

Mother's Day is just around the corner! If you're looking for the perfect gift to show your Mum some love, check out the Sseko Mother's Day Collection. This collection includes one pair of Sseko Sandals, THREE pairs of Sseko straps, a snazzy cotton carry bag and a Mother's Day card (plus an envelope!) for $65. Everything you need to show your Mom love and appreciation!

Team Sseko now has FIVE moms with children ranging from 8 months to young adults! There are few things we love more than educating and empowering mothers to end the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Moms Rule!  

Mother's Day Collection

The Collection includes Teal, Brown & Leeta Straps.


To purchase this Mother's Day Collection or other straps go to www.ssekodesigns.com. Just to remind you, young women in Uganda are making these straps as a way to earn their way to receiving a college education!

Love, 

jessica

Pictures and information used with permission. To find out more about Sseko Designs go to www.ssekodesigns.com

New Spring Straps from Sseko!

Sseko Designs has new Spring straps! Check out their sandals and straps at www.ssekodesigns.com.

Also now available are straps in navy blue and pink!

Just to remind you, Sseko Designs is based in Uganda and these straps are made by young women who are saving their income from your purchase of Sseko sandals for their college education. You can find out more about Sseko here and here.

Love,

Jessica

P.S. Sseko Sandals range from $49-$52 (depending on the straps you pick) and additional straps are $10-$13.

Pictures and information used with permission and can be found at www.ssekodesigns.com

Rescue Her

   Wow, so the topic of human trafficking and sex slavery is one that I am just beginning to dip my toes in and already it has my heart hurting, longing for there to be freedom for each person. The injustice of it all.  It hurts the most to hear of the little girls being abused. I believe there is hope, there are answers, there are ways out...maybe we can all make a little difference...actually I know we can! Each life matters, each person deserves freedom and a healthy life free from mistreatment and pain. This is the same mindset that Josie Carignan had when she started Rescue Her. Each one matters.

Here is Josie's story:

My name is Josie Carignan. I am a wife and a mother of three wonderful children. Rescue Her was born out of the desire in my heart to do SOMETHING to help the helpless in the darkest places; victims of Human Trafficking. They can not help themselves. For a long time I wasn’t sure what to do, and I kept being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem. It is easier just to turn a blind eye. “What could I possibly do that would make a difference?” I kept telling myself.

One day that changed. I had one of those life changing moments with God. I felt him speak to my heart saying: “My light is greater than even this darkness. And it is ok that you can’t help everybody, but you CAN rescue one... and then another, and another.” And out of that moment Rescue Her was born. To sit and do nothing just was no longer an option. I believe that most people want to help, just like I did, they just need to know how.


When I started Rescue Her I was a stay at home mom living in a small town without any real financial means to make an impact. It took a lot of creativity and hard work to see the vision of Rescue Her become a reality. Looking at it now, seeing what God has done through the tiny steps of faith I took, it was worth every bit and I am amazed at the impact we are having as we come together and decide to act.

Maybe you, just like I did, want to do something, but you're not sure how. I hope Rescue Her is an answer to that question, and that you will come on board with us, and together we can rescue many!

Love,
Josie

Some Facts about Human Trafficking

   Here are some of the products you can buy from Rescue Her's website. The proceeds will go to help bring freedom to girls around the world. Rescue Her is partnered with SHE Rescue Home in Cambodia.

    

 

   There are so many ways you can be involved, buying these products is just one way. For more ideas click here.

Love,

Jessica

Photos, videos and information were used with permission and can be found at www.rescueher.org

Warning: You will never be the same again.

You can't walk away. Once you know you just won't be the same again. You can say that you don't want to talk about it because its too painful...but love faces pain and fights to bring healing. I also have avoided the topic and not really allowed myself to learn about and understand the pain in this world, but to do so means I am ignoring reality. A reality that millions of children and women face every day. Modern day slavery.

Will you choose once again to turn away from the pain in the world and pretend it doesn't exist? If we just pretend it doesn't exist then it won't effect us, it won't drive us to fight for freedom. Why do we want to pretend? Yes, its painful, but its extremely painful for those who are currently going through it. I want to be a person of compassion who is willing to face the pain to bring freedom and healing and restoration to others. Sure, I may only make a little difference, but isn't it worth it to try?

YES.

So, if you are ready to open your eyes for the sake of those who are trapped and be a part of them finding freedom...then please join me on this journey of becoming more aware of this issue of sex slavery/human trafficking. I know you won't be the same. I'm not.

Yes, it's scary. Yes, it's painful. Yes, it's worth it.

I will be focusing on this topic for awhile, and will be sharing about more organizations that are working to abolish sex slavery/human trafficking in the world, one person at a time. Some of the organizations that I have already written about who are working towards this goal are: Starfish, Sari Bari, International Princess Project, and Chains for Chains.

Together we can bring change to this world.

Love,
Jessica

Valentine Gift Idea #3 Give Prints

   I am excited to introduce you to Give Prints. Give Prints is another 50/50 company like Chains for Chains who are dedicated to giving. You can buy beautiful photography from their site: www.giveprints.com and 50% of the profits go to one of the charities they are supporting right now. The best part is that you can choose which of those charities you would like the money to go to. 


Give Prints has some really incredible photos to choose from. Here are some of my favorites.

Great news! Right now through Feb 8th, Give Prints is having a Valentines Day sale! $14 off of your purchase! Here is more info about the sale and the charities that Give Prints supports through your purchase. 

Go to their site www.giveprints.com to find out more and to purchase some of their beautiful photography.

Thank you to all our wonderful friends! In honor of Valentine's Day approaching and all the LOVE you all have given us we are having a LOVE 14 SALE!!!   $14 off our entire galleries! Now - Feb 8th.

Now is the time to send love to our charities and to your loved ones!!!

For every photograph sold you are helping to:

•     Transform communities in El Salvador. - ENLACE
•     Bring hope to children in Haiti. - Three Angles Children's Relief
•     Fight Cancer. - Praying for Katie & CHOC
•     Fight for children around the world. - DTJ
•     Free women from prostitution in India. -International Princess Project
•     Bring relief and hope to people in Japan. - Cru
•     Bring hope to the surf community around the world. - Walking On Water
•     Break the cycle of homelessness. - Weingart Center

Give Prints
To GIVE to others through photography.
Giving 50% of our profits to love people around the world.

Buy a photograph. Select a charity. 

   I know that this may not seem like a super romantic gift, but if someone you love really likes photography then its a great gift!

Love,
Jessica


Photos and information used with permission and can be found on Give Prints website.