Tuesday, February 23, 2010

OH BOY OH BOY!!

THIS is what I have been working on for over a year now. I really wanted to let everyone know that ALL profit we get from this book goes DIRECTLY into the projects introduced. We make NO profit. I am not paid and all of my work is entirely volenteer. I love what I do and I would not chose to be paid to do anything else :)

Any feedback would be appreciated...




To learn more about WHY we are making this book, check out the video on this site:




To help us print this book, please pass this link to all your friends: kickstarter!


CHEEERS!
steph

Monday, February 22, 2010

Hand-made goodness!

Hand-made things make me O so happy. Once I am done with the BOOK I can start focusing on my fine art and SEWING!

// side note: please send fabric! :) \\

I want to make these, but until I do please take a look at Dottie's store and blog! So cute!







Dottie Angel = :)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

justice for all...

      We must pursue justice, defend the orphan, stand with the poor, stop the ruthless, and protect marginalized women! Living lives of comfort comes with responsibility: without active participation in laboring for justice, our lives are without meaning.

-Carla Brewington, Director of Harvest Emergent Relief, January 2010

I'm ready. I want to be sent. I want to DO something. But I know for now I am called to become that voice for those who otherwise would not have a voice without my help. So, how DO I help, you ask? My role here in Pick a Pocket is graphic design, web design, and photography showing the world what is happening. In our Book 30 Days (the project I've been creating the designs for with my the past year) we tell the stories, share our pictures, and invite YOU to help out.

One of my passions also include video. I got my first camera from Santa in 10th grade and have been trying to learn how to edit ever since. My new flip does the job... to an extent. I recently discovered the new Canon 7D. It takes HD video with super crisp shots at 24/fps (the rate cameras film at for the big screen). I don't know when I can, but I am determined to get this camera. I want to show the world what India, what Ethiopia, what Kenya looks like from my eyes. I mean who WOULDN'T want to see a video like this in high quality?



besides video making, i've been artsy fartsy lately :)

my newest necklace + my newest painting =

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Born into Brothels

It's such an inspiring story for our ministry. If you haven't seen it, you're truly missing out. You can search online and watch it for free on youtube.

I was so excited to see one of the main characters (Avijit Halder) hold on to his talents and continue his education. You can read his story here: From a Calcutta brothel to a New York university

We dream of seeing one of our girls get this far! I know it's possible, we just have to stay focused. Pick a Pocket really needs help with administration. We'd love to set up scholarship programs as well educational programs for children in Ethiopia and India. But that's where you come in. We need teachers, disciples, people willing to give their time to these children. And especially someone who knows how to manage finances and organize a non-profit. This is where living in America makes sense. One day it will happen. But right now it seems as though that is thousands of dollars and hundreds of people away. So we will continue to rent our small homes in Ethiopia and give our small amount of time and huge amount of prayers to the women and children in Brothels across Mumbai.

How I would love to see this girl with an education and not living on the streets of India



The movie continues to bring Hope to Children in Calcutta. Visit their website: Kids With Cameras

Monday, February 15, 2010

Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices

I'm really excited about this a new book I came across today.



"Where does your chocolate come from? Does it matter if your coffee is fair trade or not? It matters–more than you might think. Julie Clawson takes us on a tour of everyday life and shows how our ordinary lifestyle choices have big implications for justice around the world. She unpacks how we get our food and clothing and shows us the surprising costs of consumer waste. How we live can make a difference not only for our own health but also for the well-being of people across the globe. The more sustainable our lifestyle, the more just our world will be. Everyday justice is one way of loving our neighbors.We can live more ethically, through the little and big decisions we make every day."


Words of Justice
Zechariah 7: 9-10 This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'

This is so exciting to have all this information in one book. I've been researching for months things like food miles, fair trade chocolate, and coffee (which I'm pretty sure I drink a large percentage of the worlds' consumption.) Through this book I hope to turn my knowledge into action and be able to teach others' about the importance of really watching what you eat. Hopefully someday soon I will live in a climate that allows for a veggie garden.

How we live can make a difference not only for our own health but also for the well-being of people across the globe...

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Solomon

A little update from Ethiopia

So a few of you know the story of how Pick a Pocket was founded and why. Well, the story starts with a man named Solomon.



I met Solomon in the Mother Teresa home in Addis Ababa last year. He was so frail and fragile those few days we went to see him, but each time we went back I could see his face light up a little more. He has been in and out of the home for a few months. He is still weak due to his HIV, but just went through some miraculous healing after taking a fall and spending the night in the hospital.

He has requested only a few things: a coat, new sneakers, and a radio. Yesterday my friend Taylor brought a new radio to him as a surprise. It warms my heart so much to here how such a simple thing can brighten up someones day so much. Especially after all that he has been through.

Because of his illness Solomon as has trouble walking so the team is now in the process of finding him a wheelchair. They are also helping Solomon find comfort in his new home. We've secured him a place with a small church in Addis with his friend from the street to accompany and take care of him. I cannot wait to someday go back and see Solomon again in his new home. i cannot describe the commitment Liz, Taylor, Nathan, and a few others have made to make this one mans life so much better. They are all such an inspiration to me.

I hope someday we can all find our own Solomon, and get the chance to change someone else's life :)

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Your tithe could end poverty

Shane Claibourne is one of my heroes. I first heard about him several years ago when a friend went on tour with him and his book Irresistible Revolution. The book changed my life. If you watch one video this week, I ask you watch this one. There is a way to end poverty in our generation and all it takes is you. Your tithe. God called us to live in community. Acts 2 tells us how to do it. Listen. Live.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Africa, Water, and Hippos

This is not about Pick A Pocket, but is something that I personally support. It's called the Hippo Water Project.



Its about helping children, women, and workers getting more bang for their sweat. It helps transport larger amounts of water in an eco-friendly way. It's simple. The cavemen thought of wheels, the Hippo Project thought of round tanks small enough for kids to push to their final destinations. I just think of how much easier this would be for so many of the children I met while in Africa who get up before sunrise everyday to provide water for their families. These children, mostly orphans or are the youngest of 12 or maybe 15 other family members, have to carry heavy buckets back for their family's supply everyday. It's a grueling task that something this simple could help relief millions, even if it would just cut down 2 or 3 days of work, that's an extra day for a child to play with his friends. To sleep and get enough rest to complete his/her 8 hours of sleep.

for the rest of your day I challenge you to see how much water you use. my friends from the Karo tribe have to hike half a mile to carry back their pales, much of the time smaller than a shoebox. think of how much time and effort could be saved



just a thought and don't forget to check out their website http://www.hipporoller.org :)

but first check out this super cute video about the Hippos produced by Peter Macomber!!!