May 2012
5 posts
3 tags
Upgrade Your Commute, Downgrade to 2 Wheels!
This month we take to 2 wheels in celebration of National Bike Month. May showcases the bicycle, the world’s most widely used and economical mode of transportation. Riding your bike doesn’t have to be a thing of the past, use tomorrow to make cycling a bigger part of your future.
Friday, May 18th is Bike to Work Day, so inflate your tires, polish those rims and hit the streets! Rides and events...
8 tags
(More Than) Word To Your Mother
Looking for the perfect gift to honor your mom this Mother’s Day? Want to back up your love with more than words? Don’t just tell her you love her—SHOW your love: honor your mother by empowering another!
Just like your mom, the mothers Plant With Purpose works with want nothing more than health, happiness, and a bright future for their families. But for most of them, providing their...
3 tags
Eyes Not to See
By Becky Rosaler
In Genesis, we find that humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Ex nihilo, it was out of nothing that God spoke the world into existence and continued on to the pinnacle of creation, you and I. If we are made in His likeness, then we are made to create as well.
It has been said that artists are often the prophets of a culture. I am constantly amazed at the way...
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Pray With Purpose this May
Thursday, May 3 is the National Day of Prayer. Today we are posting our monthly prayer letter so you can lift-up the work in which God has called us to participate in through prayer. Or join us tomorrow, the first Friday of the month, as the international family prays in unity for our programs.
BURUNDI
We praise God for:
The training on “Theology of Work” in the District of Vyanda,...
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The Other Other Percent
By Jimmy Lee, Development Associate
Today marks International Workers’ Day and in many parts of the world May Day rallies are being held where workers and laborers‑”the 99%”‑are gathering together to have their voices heard in large numbers. Here at Plant With Purpose, we support workers’ rights and greater inclusion of citizens in their country’s own political processes. But we also want to...
April 2012
6 posts
9 tags
Still Celebrating the Earth
By Shannon Pavell, Grant Writing Intern
As we reflect on Earth Day, we want to take a moment to congratulate and thank all those involved in making the San Diego Balboa Park EarthFair such a success. Even the San Diego gloom could not prevent the 60,000 people from joining together in Balboa Park on Sunday to celebrate God’s creation. The event included 350 booths featuring all things green:...
6 tags
It’s Our Nature…
By Sarah Lewis, Marketing, PR & Events Intern
It’s our nature that inspires us on Earth Day as we celebrate the life giving necessities of our environment. Earth Day reminds us all to take a moment to breathe in deep, and be thankful for trees!
We remember that every breath of oxygen taken has been provided by the life giving power of trees from its roots to its branches. On Sunday, April...
Why Trees Matter
Last week The New York Times featured an article about something near and dear to our hearts here at Plant With Purpose…TREES of course!
In his article Jim Robbins, author of the upcoming book “The Man Who Planted Trees,” describes the importance of these miracles of nature and the most essential benefits they offer the Earth and its inhabitants.
Trees are crucial to the survival of the planet...
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Guest Post ~ Live 58: Plant With Purpose
Today we have a guest post from Andrea Ward! Andrea writes the Jesus, You, and Me blog and shares about discovering Plant With Purpose through the 58: Global Impact Tour. We love her enthusiasm, her openness with her thought process, and encouragement to act. Will you join us this month as we raise the funds to plant 90,000 trees in the Dominican Republic?
For those of you in the San Diego...
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Pray With Purpose This April
The first Friday of each month, the Plant With Purpose staff, both in the U.S. and in our six international offices, come together to pray for our programs, our partners, and the incredible work God has called us to participate in.
This Good Friday we invite you to join us as we lift up these prayers and praises together:
[[MORE]]
Burundi We praise God for:
The International Director Scott...
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April Showers!
When it rains, it pours! This April we’ve been showered with some incredible opportunities and partnerships to restore the Earth, celebrate Easter, and transform the lives of the rural poor. It’s going to be a busy month!
We wanted to fill you in on some of the amazing partnerships that launch this month!
58: Global Impact Tour Together with the 58: campaign, we are working to fast forward...
March 2012
11 posts
2 tags
The Gospel Lived Out.
Ladies and gentlemen, today you are in for a treat.
Yesterday we shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez and her church in the village of Loma Verde in the Dominican Republic. We were so inspired by the idea of a church joining with Plant With Purpose to combat illiteracy that we decided to post about it again today.
Today Corbyn Small, Regional Representative shares his firsthand...
6 tags
Spiritual Renewal: It's as easy as A, B, C
Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez, an inspiring woman from the Dominican Republic. We’ve shared how Teodora engaged her community in environmental restoration and how she’s joining with others to foster economic empowerment.
Today we’d like to draw your attention to the spiritual renewal that is springing up in...
1 tag
Help Us In Welcoming Sarah!
There’s a new intern on deck in the marketing department at Plant With Purpose, that’s me Sarah Lewis, putting the ‘elation’ back in ‘Public Relation.’ What am I elated about you might ask? As the new PR/Marketing Intern, I have the opportunity to dig my hands deeper into the soil of Plant With Purpose’s mission and vision in communicating and promoting environmental restoration to a global...
3 tags
“Without Water There Is No Life”
Happy World Water Day! Today is the day to pause and reflect on our global consumption, current practices, and the future of this commodity: water. Let’s face it, we use a lot of water—to drink, to shower, grow food, to wash the dirt splotches off our cars. We all leave a water footprint wherever we go, and it appears that our feet are getting bigger!
For many of the world’s poorest people,...
3 tags
Create Your Eden Valley
After a couple of stormy days, the sun came out! The rains brought with them the life giving supply of water to the mountains, watersheds and our yards. Around here, spring has definitely sprung! Trees are sending out new growth. Hillsides are in full bloom. My Roger’s Red leaves are budding and the scent of freesia fills the air.
With the weather warming up, it is time to start getting your...
3 tags
Going GREEN in Honor of St. Patrick
Today as we celebrate our honorary holiday of Irish history and folklore, we find it an opportunity to ‘go green’ in more ways than one. During Friday staff devotions, we were reminded of some truths behind St. Patrick like that he was actually from Britain. He is one of the most well known survivors of child slavery as St. Patrick was originally captured and taken to Ireland at the...
4 tags
Saving Money, Sparking Hope
Last week we introduced you to a remarkable woman, Teodora Sánchez from Loma Verde, Dominican Republic. Teodora is a mother, grandmother, pastor, and empowerer.
Together with Plant With Purpose, she is overcoming poverty and empowering others to do the same.
One of the many hats she wears is the Village Savings and Loan (VSL) Coordinator. Savings groups are a way for community members to pool...
Meet Shannon!
Hello Plant With Purpose! I am excited to introduce myself as your new Grant Writing Intern, Shannon. Let’s start with the basics.
Name: Shannon Leigh Pavell
Date of Birth: March 29, 1987 (It’s coming up!)
Education: B.A. in Business Administration, Minor in International Development from Point Loma Nazarene University
Occupation: Figuring out life. Also, Health Club Associate at Kona Kai Resort....
6 tags
We’re celebrating women today!
Did you know that it’s International Women’s Day?
For most women around the world, the mere fact that they were born female places them under an incredible burden. Women are more likely to be impoverished, have less access to health care and education, and are the first victims and often the easiest targets in conflict areas.
At Plant With Purpose, we say that the poor are one of the world’s...
5 tags
With our powers combined...
Plant With Purpose has joined with the Planeteers at Project 7 to save the earth by planting trees.
Project 7 is an innovative company that makes “everyday products, for everyday people, that give back to seven areas for good around the globe.” And Plant With Purpose just so happens to be one of three partner organizations in their “Save the Earth” area.
So cruise on over...
2 tags
Pray With Purpose
We’ve made the leap into March, which means it’s time for another prayer update from the field! The first Friday of each month the Plant With Purpose staff, both in the U.S. and in our six international offices, come together to pray for our programs, our partners, and the incredible work God has called us to participate in.
We invite you to join us tomorrow as we lift up these...
February 2012
8 posts
6 tags
To Leave Poverty Behind
This song was recorded during a recent trip to visit our farmers in Barasa, Haiti. The powerful words and work being accomplished warms our hearts. Listen on as Pastor Jera Jules leads farmers in singing while they chip away the rocky hillsides in efforts to “leave poverty behind” and conserve the soil of Haiti.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION: Advance, advance, Advance, advance, We who are...
5 tags
Reflections on Ash Wednesday: Teach us to sit...
“Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still.” ~T.S. Eliot, Ash Wednesday
by Aly Lewis
I am a recovering perfectionist, or so I’d like to think. More often than not, I’m recovering from the ramifications of perfectionism instead of overcoming perfectionism itself. Most of the time, I’m recovering from a bruised ego and a worn out soul.
At the risk of sounding like one those...
3 tags
The Majestic Plastic Bag
by Becky Rosaler
I spotted one on the shoulder of the freeway yesterday! It made me wonder, “Will this Majestic Plastic Bag complete its journey and make its way ‘home’ to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?” What is this Majestic Plastic Bag that I speak of? Watch this 4-minute mockumentary that Heal the Bay created to learn more about the not-so-elusive creature.
Earlier this month, a...
Fatalism Kills
by Scott Sabin
Years ago, as a young naval officer, I heard a story from a friend of mine who had been assigned to train sailors from a foreign navy that was buying an older US warship.
This crew suffered from a fatalism that was crippling. According to his story, the ship was fitted out with the latest firefighting and damage control equipment. However, as the ship was being transferred to its...
3 tags
Join the Conversation
Share your love with someone special today with one of Plant With Purpose’s life changing gifts:
Cupid's Creeping Up On Us
Are you prepared?
Tired of the cheesy chocolates and fleeting flowers?
Want to branch out beyond the canned cards and candy hearts?
This Valentine’s Day, give that special someone a gift with a whole lot of heart. Plant With Purpose’s Life-Changing Gifts provide lasting and lovable ways to show you care.
Don’t just plant a kiss; plant a tree.
Show some bunny you love...
For the grant cycle, and beyond!
By Aly Lewis, Staff Writer and Grants Specialist
Last night I had the privilege of enjoying mouthwatering Mexican food with a fellow grant writer. We’re an elusive, behind the scenes bunch, so I don’t meet other grant writers often.
My new friend writes grants for an Indian reservation in Idaho. We talked budgets, we talked program management, we talked deciphering tax exempt...
3 tags
Join us in prayer this Friday!
As you may or may not know, the entire Plant With Purpose family (I’m talking from San Diego to Santo Domingo to Mount Kilimanjaro) commits time the first Friday of every month to pray for the transformational work God has called us to participate in.
We pray other days too, of course, but the first Friday of the month is a day set apart for prayer, reflection, and adoration—together in...
3 tags
Strength like a Sycamore Tree
by Becky Rosaler
But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
California’s varying terrain creates an assortment of...
January 2012
5 posts
3 tags
Plant With Purpose Welcomes a Fresh Face with a...
Please join in welcoming Plant With Purpose’s newest staff member, Becky Rosaler. As the new Marketing and Events Coordinator, she will play an integral role in executing Plant With Purpose’s marketing campaigns and PR efforts as well as planning our annual Planting Hope Gala!
You’re in for a treat today as she shares a bit of the incredible journey that has brought her to partner with Plant With...
7 tags
What’s Your Purpose?
by Aly Lewis
Recently I was posed the question, Why are you here?
Not why-do-people-exist or what-is-the-meaning-of-life, but why am I HERE at this juncture in my life. At this computer at this desk with these coworkers at this job to do these tasks.
One answer is this:
February 2006, Managua, Nicaragua
Plastic smoldered and filled the air in a hazy smokescreen that seared my eyes and bit at my...
Two Years Later: Remembering A Tragedy,...
Two years ago today, a catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti. 220,000 people were killed, 300,000 were injured, and over 3.5 million Haitians were affected.
For those who’ve devoted your prayers, your time, and your resources to partner with Plant With Purpose and the people of Haiti, we say thank you.
Two years after such devastation, let us take a moment to remember the lives that have been...
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year’s, blog readers! We are excited to usher in 2012, all bright and shiny with possibility.
But before plowing full steam ahead into the new year, we’d like to THANK YOU for your involvement in transforming the lives of the rural poor over the last year. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing Plant With Purpose with your friends. Thank you for your feedback, your...
December 2011
11 posts
Still Dreaming
This Christmas, we were thrilled to share with you the Christmas wishes of farmers from around the world. Just because Christmas has passed, doesn’t mean these farmers have stopped dreaming.
Bibiana’s dreams for the future remain as vivid as ever. Bibiana is an enthusiastic 11-year-old from the village of La Muralla, Mexico. Her elementary school teamed up with Plant With Purpose to...
5 tags
A Christmas Wish: Investing in the Future
It’s almost Christmas! Today’s Christmas Wish comes from Rafaela Leonidas Encarnación from Basima, Dominican Republic. Rafaela is the mother of an entrepreneurial family. With six children, Rafaela was always worried about making ends meet and feeding her family. She operated a small business in her village, selling various items to other community members, but the income generated from her...
4 tags
A Christmas Wish: Sharing and Living the Good News
Our next very special Christmas wish comes from a woman named Jocelyn Dieumène of Barye, Haiti. Jocelyn lives in a place where words like community mean something. In the five years Jocelyn has participated in Plant With Purpose programs, her income has increased as her small plot of land has gone from producing 20 pounds of beans at a time to 50 pounds at a time. She is now able to afford the...
5 tags
A Christmas Wish: Clean Water for Haiti
Forget the iPad, Christmas sweaters, and stocking stuffers, all Visnel wants for Christmas is access to clean water.
In Haiti, the place he calls home, clean water is hard to come by. Waterborne disease kills thousands of people there every single year, a fact that has only grown worse as the country continues fighting a cholera epidemic. In fact, contaminated water nearly cost Visnel his life...
A Christmas Wish: Peace on Earth (Especially in...
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! — Luke 2:14
We all have our Christmas wish lists, whether on Amazon or eBay or scribbled on some Post-its and stuffed into our coat pockets.
The rural poor have their wish lists, too. Their hopes are simple, really — the opportunity to make a living, food on the table for their families, a better tomorrow for...
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Retweet the Sounding Joy
It is officially twelve days until Christmas (crazy, huh?), and we would like to present… *drum roll please*…
The 12 Days Of Christmas (Plant With Purpose style)
On the first day of Christmas, My true love gave to me A Fruit Tree on a Hillside
On the second day of Christmas, My true love gave to me, Two Breeding Bunnies, And a Fruit Tree on a Hillside
On the third day of Christmas, My true love...
3 tags
Too Cool for School
Posted by Corbyn Small
We...
Coffee Makes Christmas Better
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … the jam-packed mall parking lots, the crowds, the pressure to buy things you don’t really need. But, hey, let’s not focus on the negative this year. Giving really can be a way to celebrate.
Take the Plant With Purpose Holiday Village Market gift guide, for example. We know, we’ve been talking about it a lot, but with good reason—things like groves,...
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O Christmas Reads
The topic of social justice has become a common phrase to throw around in conversations (and we think this is a good thing), but life-changing social justice is more than trendy do-gooder-ism. If you want to dig a little deeper, here’s a list of books we think might help.
Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People (Scott Sabin). OK, call this a little bit of self-promotion, but...
Feeling the Love
Our ears have been burning a little this last week. We’re honored to have had a few bloggers we respect write about our Holiday Village Market gift catalog.
Thanks to Rachel Held Evans for including us in her “My Favorite Things” list, and thanks to Simple Organic for the shout out in their Home for the Holidays highlights. Thanks also to Shawn Parr for his mention in a list of favorite social...
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Today Is World AIDS Day
by Beth Clayton Luthye
Today is World AIDS Day. It’s also my daughter’s 2nd birthday.
Before she was born, I bought a small Moleskine journal. I was going to use it to jot down observations and memories, those little moments I’d want to remember. It was a great idea, but I never followed through. I got as far as deciding on an opening quote: “Welcome to the world. Beautiful and terrible things...
November 2011
7 posts
Planting Hope Against Violence
by Audrie Peveler This fall I have had the awesome privilege to study abroad in the Dominican Republic. My love for Plant With Purpose and then interning with the incredible Aly Lewis were a big part of what brought me here. On Friday a friend from my study abroad program and I set out to the Plant With Purpose (although here it is still Floresta) office to learn more about what has been done...
3 tags
The Beauty of Everyday-ness
By Beth Luthye
Apparently there’s a little Facebook gratitude movement going on. I have a few friends who’ve been posting something they’re thankful for every day, with the tag “30 Days of Thanks.” I’m clearly late to the game, but I thought it would do my soul some good to squeeze in a little intentional gratefulness in honor of tomorrow’s Thanksgiving festivities.
There are many things I’m...
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Crazy With Purpose (Tempted to Fly Off Mt....
by Beth Clayton Luthye
Next year, a group of adrenaline junkies adventurers from around the globe will gather at the base of Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro. Not only do they plan to climb 19,341 feet to the top of the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, but once there, they are going to strap themselves into their paragliders and fly off the summit!
This will be the first time in more than...
3 tags
Living on a Prayer
The fight against extreme poverty can be overwhelming. Sometimes it’s hard to even know where to begin—what to say, what to do? We ran across this prayer written by Walter Brueggemann, and it seems like a pretty good start for those times when you just don’t know what to do (pray) or what to say (try these words).
“On Creation”
Yours—we gladly attest—is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
...