mercy ships | 1000 Fields of Roses

Giving Twice

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Angel 2018 pink

I know it’s still November. Sorry.

As some of our gifts need to be sent overseas we’re in the process of sorting them out. For the past few years we have sent the sort of gifts that aren’t really gifts, as such, to the recipient of the cards – chickens and vegie seeds and mosquito nets, health and education and livelihood gifts that are sent to those who need them, with a card sent to family to tell them what’s been given 😀

There are a lot of different organisations you can get these from. Here’s some we’ve used in the past or may use in the future – now is the time to give if you want to send cards on in time for Christmas!

These are some of the paper ones I’ve received this year, but catalogues can be found (and ordered from) online.
Compassion is a child sponsorship programme, so there is always the option to sponsor a child – any time of the year! Tear Fund partners with local Christian development organisations to help people across Africa, Asia and the Pacific to lead their own development initiatives. The catalogues for both of them are good places to go if you want to provide gardens, livestock or health and education initiatives for those who need them.
Oxfam is a great place to go for the same type of things. They also sell fair trade goods online or in shops if you’d prefer giving a physical gift – you should be able to get the cards in store as well.
Mercy Ships gift catalogue provides physical gifts such as t-shirts, mugs or a lovely looking necklace, with proceeds going to fund free, world-class surgical and other health care through hospital ships.
International Justice Mission (IJM) works to end slavery of all types by partnering with law and social work professionals across the world to restore justice to the poor. Choosing a gift from their catalogue means you are helping to rescue a victim of slavery or sex trafficking and helping provide aftercare so they can find a better future.

All of the links (click on the brownish text) are Australian based – look for these organisations in your own region if you’re interested. This next catalogue is based in Britain, but we have used it before. I liked the Good Gifts catalogue when I first saw it because there were different sorts of gifts from the other catalogues, encompassing other countries as well as tackling poverty in Britain. This year’s catalogue includes gifts such as destroying weapons left in recent war zones, funding a 3-year degree course for an African or providing a visit to a theatre, opera or concert for a child who would never otherwise have the chance. There are also environmental gifts such as funding a stretch of hedgerow or helping clean the ocean of plastic.

A lot of charities have Christmas catalogues, so it’s worth checking your favourites. Even if they don’t have specific Christmas gifts you could try donating on behalf of others and sending your own card to let them know. This also holds true for other occasions throughout the year – and remember you can always donate at any time, either a one off or regularly 😀

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Thinking....

on November 28, 2018 at 7:57 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Christmas Gifts, Compassion, Good Gifts, International Justice Mission, mercy ships, Oxfam, Tear Fund

Tea For A Reason

Just sent off the money raised at an afternoon tea at my place a couple of weekends ago for a great organisation – go have a look here – Mercy Ships provide free health care for people who would not be able to have access to health care otherwise. It’s really worth having a look at the site to see what they do! The afternoon tea was specifically to raise money for the women’s health programme, particularly issues relating to pregnancy and childbirth.

It was a good afternoon – we watched a DVD about the work of the Africa Mercy, then talked about it all, while eating biscuits and drinking tea in pretty teacups…

🙂

We have friends on the Africa Mercy – if you want to read a more personal view, here’s their blog –
Rothwell Recap
Enjoy!

Published in:

on June 7, 2016 at 8:30 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Afternoon tea, mercy ships, Rothwell Reacap

Hope Will Come

It’s the first week of school holidays here… we had a lovely time housesitting at the beginning of the week, and have just been catching up and resting the last couple of days…
I’ve had a bit of a chest infection/not sure what/sick-but-not-sick sort of thing going on the last few weeks, so most days end with me slumped tiredly on the bed, reading or being online. I haven’t been able to walk as much lately as I would like to, so that’s not helping with the energy levels..

I have friends who live and work on the Africa Mercy, a 16000 tonne hospital ship, operated by Mercy Ships, which provides free medical surgeries to the poorest nations on the earth. They are volunteers, giving their time and expertise to change the lives of individuals who would otherwise live shorter, and more difficult, lives.. if you want to read more, here’s their blog.

So… what does one thing have to do with the other? 😀
..On days like today, when I’m about fed up with my body not working to full capacity, I’m reminded (again..) that I live in a country where I can go down to the local hospital should I need to. There are many doctors in this area, and alternative practitioners as well… I have access to clean food and water, and I am not likely to succumb to something that should be an easily preventable disease, or be eventually strangled by a growing facial tumour, or become infected with a parasite from unclean water… I do not have to know what it would be like to be slowly dying, or see my children suffering, and know that there is no hope available, and that I wouldn’t have the money to access it even if there was..

Mercy Ships casts a bright ray of light on a dark world. God is honoured, and people are rescued…. and there will be many more stories like this one..