June requests

Good morning sweet Joy-Creators! As I'm sipping coffee this morning from my hand-painted Honduras coffee cup, I am thinking about how the weather this time of year is exactly like the weather on many of my trips to Honduras.  I wish I could go there more often and be with our artisans and encourage them. I wish I could take you to see how many women in Honduras have to live because there aren't good jobs for them, or they are trapped in the mindset of not being able to stand on her own without living with a man, who may or may not be committed to a faithful relationship with her. I wish you could see the change in our artisans as you continue to shop and share about Alegria and their handmade artisan jewelry. 

This morning, there are a few things I'm praying about that I want to share with you. Thank you for praying with me. I cannot hold the enormity of Alegria in my hands, but I trust the One who is holding it in His.

1. June - this is by Honduran law, the 14th month. What does that mean? In June, laborers in Honduras receive 2 months of salary.  It happens twice a year.  We save for it over the 6 months leading up to it, but this year has been hard. Tariffs are affecting us in many ways. Material costs are almost double in Honduras this spring, and the cost of getting our jewelry to the US is up quite a bit too with additional shipping costs and then the new tariffs. I am trying to stay committed to our artisans and keeping all 7 on staff. And I'm trying not to raise prices because sales are already flat for the year, and I don't think higher prices would help that.  Please pray that the Lord would open my eyes to how this can continue, and that we will find a way to pay the 14th month at the end of this week. To be honest, it just isn't there. 
2. Weather - during the summer, we survive with outdoor markets. I set up a tent and sell our jewelry at festivals and events. Well, this weekend, I set up in the rain for 1st Friday and sales were down, and then yesterday I was set up in the rain and mud at the Strawberry Festival, and they had to cancel the second day today because the fields are impassable due to mud. So this was about $2000 in revenue lost from rain this weekend.  (yep that would have paid 14th month). Please pray for good weather for the final outdoor festival next weekend, and if you know of any event happening on the 21st or 22nd in your area, I am looking for someplace to be to make up for this lost weekend.
   

Please do not be discouraged! I am not! We have some new stores ready to try Alegria and I have many more to call and meet with this week. Alegria is God's company and we just get to be a part of it. We get to be the hands and feet of Jesus to women in Honduras that do not have the opportunities we have here in the US. They are smart and talented and hard working. It is our JOY to share their work with others! And if you have your eye on some Alegria pieces, or you need some gifts this summer - please keep shopping. Most of what you purchase goes straight to Honduras! We keep the doors open in the US and keep Jenna's salary paid (although she is worth way more than what she gets.)  But the purpose of the company is to create jobs in Honduras for our Faith Home family of women - so that's where our money goes too.