A veil, a flowing white dress, and a blushing bride. The strong, confident groom gushing tears as she walks down the aisle. For many this day is only a dream-especially in areas of the world were poverty and exploitation rob the hopes of many. But two of Mercy Market’s partners recently celebrated God’s goodness and rejoiced as they witnessed a pair of weddings to remember. Below is picture a woman entering her “get away” vehicle on her wedding day in Thailand. What a sweet celebration the Nightlight International staff had knowing that this woman had once been trapped in the sexual exploitation of the Bangkok bars. Now, rescued with the help of Nightlight staff and a believer in Christ, dressed in resplendent white- she was whisked away with her groom-such a beautiful picture of redemption and new life. And in the rural tribal areas of Northern Thailand, our partners at the Hill Tribes Resource and Development Center drove five hours over rough roads to celebrate with a former student, Ahtid and his new bride. Offered a chance to be sponsored and advance his education at the HRDC, Ahtid and his wife are now strong believers and have good jobs to… Read More »

I have an eye appointment in just a few days. I can’t wait! Now it isn’t that I have a deep love for doctor’s offices or for the process of deciding which prescription is the most accurate. (“is this better, or this? Number one or number two?” You know the routine.) But I know that my eyesight has been changing. I am squinting more frequently; seeing less clearly. So I want to get into that office and get this corrected. No, I NEED to get my vision corrected. I don’t consider quality eye care a “want” but a need. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did too. Contrast that with this recent statement regarding refugees in S.E. Asia: “eye care and glasses are highly uncommon. Most of these refugees cannot imagine the luxury of eyeglasses.” “ The LUXURY of eyeglasses”?? When did glasses become a luxury? We aren’t talking Armani or Calvin Klein. We aren’t talking latest fashion. We are talking about the basics of vision care. Getting an accurate prescription to allow for maximum vision-this should be available to everyone. You can help. Mercy Market partners with the organization Vision Beyond Borders. (we sell their really cool wool hats… Read More »

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them…” One of my favorite moments of the 2013 S.E. Asia trip was interacting with these children at a Hmong village in Laos. The moment captured in this picture is what I now dub “The Great Candy Run”. Initially shy, a few pieces of candy were given to those who were the bravest. Instead of eating the whole piece, each child took a bite and then sauntered over to share it with those who were still in hiding. Of course, the sweetness tasted led to a mad dash for more-strange white people or not. They were rewarded with more candy, which again was shared. I don’t remember seeing one child eat a whole piece of candy; it was always shared with a neighbor. This candy, and a LCD camera screen that turned around, led to some interaction of which I didn’t understand a word of—but I heard the meaning behind many of the giggles and voice inflections. As little bodies pressed in close to see, their tiny fingerprints soon covered my camera screen…and my heart. My heart ached for their circumstances—extreme poverty, limited health care, lack of education, poor nutrition… Read More »

Did you know? • Nearly 1 billion people don’t have safe water to drink. • A child dies every 15 seconds from a lack of clean water. • 115 people die every hour from diseases linked to poor sanitation, poor hygiene and contaminated water. • 1 in 5 children who die before age 5 worldwide, die of water related disease. • Children often walk miles every day to collect dirty water to drink. • Water related illness kills more people each year than wars and conflict. When I think about things that make up my day—water never enters my mind. When I think about things that might harm my children—water is not one of them. When I want a drink—I never think of having to carry it on my back or head for miles. I never have to choose between water and my children having an education. I never question it being safe to drink. I simply turn on the tap and instantly, I am quenched. This is not true for much of the world. Mothers, like me, watch their children die, due to unsanitary water conditions. Young girls, like my daughters, are denied education in order to fetch water. My… Read More »

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As we drove up to our home on that sub-zero December night, we were unsuspecting of what would meet us: our adorable family home was on fire. The end result was a gutted house, the loss of many cherished belongings and a year of rebuilding. But in the midst of the devastation, we were never homeless. We were never hungry or destitute. We never feared for our future. Friends and family surrounded us. Our community supported us. Insurance repaid us. How different our experience than another family who also had a house fire. They too came home to find their beloved house destroyed. They too suffered loss and devastation. But there was no insurance to cover the costs of rebuilding. And their community had no resources to share. For this family living in a S.E. Asian slum, such a loss could easily mean being forced to live on the streets or become enslaved to loan sharks. BUT FOR YOU—if you ever purchased jewelry from Nightlight through Mercy Market, you helped make a LIFE IMPACTING difference for this family. A daughter in the family had been rescued by Nightlight. She was a faithful employee who found Christ and was raising her small… Read More »

Yesterday was a “sea o’ green” as many celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. Curiosity led to some research of the man whom the day is about but who remains obscure throughout our modern celebration. Born in Scotland, he was captured by a raiding party at the age of 14 and taken to Ireland as a slave. For 6 years, he tended herds and filled the role of a slave, while learning the language and customs of his captors. Escaping around the age of 20, he was reunited with his family. The story doesn’t end there. A dream haunted him, one in which the people of Ireland, his captors, called out to him “We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more.” After being ordained as a bishop, this is exactly what he did. He returned to a place of darkness, suffering and pain. He lived in Ireland for 40 years, “a slave in Christ to this faraway people for the indescribable glory of everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is intriguing to think of an obedient man who was willing to return to his captors because he saw the value and worth of… Read More »

So many of the women who make Mercy Market products, like the the Karen weavers of Northern Thailand picture above, exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman. They work hard with skilled hands to provide for their families. But often times their circumstances do not allow them to receive a fair price or a living wage for their work. Mercy Market is proud to partner with these women of valor to help them use their skills to provide for their families in a dignified manner. If you have ever purchased a product from the “Hill Tribes Resource And Development Center” you are helping support these Karen weavers. Your purchase helps achieve the goal of Proverbs 31:31, to “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” -Katie

I have become an impatient “watcher-of-nature” in the last few weeks. I have been inspecting the barren trees for leaf buds, the brown hillsides for hints of green and waiting to see chunks of ice begin to flow down the river. I have been watching for birds and have even lifted the mulch to see if the tulips are starting to grow. (they are!) I cannot wait for spring; to see green grass and tender leaves, to smell flowers and feel warm sun. I cannot wait to welcome new life…new growth. This year, Mercy Market is praying for seasons of “new growth”. We are praying for change. We already see it in the ministries of our partner organizations. We hear of lives changed, communities growing and hands reaching out to help in unexpected ways. But—we are asking for more. We are asking to see the words of the Lord fall like rain…to bring growth in a whole new way. We are praying for new growth in our lives, in this ministry, in your lives and especially for those we partner with. Will you pray with us?? In His Hands, … Read More »

We’re so grateful for your partnership and for the amazing artisans around the world who make our products! (Click on the picture below to see it larger)