Sustainability

Last month, we ventured out to a small village in northern Thailand, Lamphun, to find handwoven fabric made by the locals. Our dear friends, Pitak and Em, have family there, and they were able to introduce us to artisans and show us around. Over the past few months, we've been researching information about fair trade goods and how to ethically source our products.

There are many different reasons for doing so, but here's a few of them.  First off, our women are hand crafting the products here at SC, but we want to make sure the fabric and supplies we're using aren't supporting unfair work or slave labor. We want to source everything from safe, fair environments. 

​Secondly, poverty and the lack of job opportunities in villages across Thailand is one of the main reasons young girls are sent to Bangkok to work in the sex trade. We would love

to provide fair employment opportunities for people in these villages. This creates an opportunity to work alongside, build relationships, and reach out to people all over Thailand. 

Third, our desire is to help the ministry become more sustainable, and so we're working to create new products and find more stores to partner with around the world. Sustainability will allow for us to employ and support more women and children in our program. ​Our hope and prayer is that more people will have the opportunity to hear the gospel here!

We had a great trip meeting and building connections with the local people of Lamphun. The people of Thailand make such beautiful things! We are excited of what's to come! We are currently working with the students here to create new products with these fabrics!

​We are also setting up a jewelry workshop and learning how to make metal jewelry (you can learn so much online these days!) We're really excited to for this new business at SC and to teach and work alongside these women. Working alongside the students here is such a great way to build relationships and have intentional conversations. 

Meet Som (name changed for privacy). We met her on our first trip to Thailand, and she is so dear to us. We're so thankful to get a front row seat to how Jesus has been working in her life. We've seen such a transformation in her! After discovering her love for jewelry here at SC, she decided she wants to start her own jewelry business! It was so fun to show her the new workshop- her eyes immediately lit up! She's really excited to learn this new skill in jewelry making. I'm sure she will teach us so much as well!

One thing for sure is that the Lord has taken us out of our comfort zone and stretched us this year. We've seen in tangible ways how He uses our weaknesses for His glory and how He equips us even when we're inadequate. We're so thankful for each one of you! Thank you for supporting, praying, and reaching out!

Also, check out our last two blogs- "The New Has Come" and "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told!" Our home church sent these out last month, and we wanted to share them with you all as well! 

Currie & Mary Blake