classes, education and life skills,” said
educated. They are subjected to physical and sexual abuse.” She also argued that most
Kristen. “Really, they are given a family to
view women as the “backbone of society,” that they work hard, provide for their families
love them.”
and defend their children. “These are the kinds of women we serve. We want to remind
Kristen says that her organization is much
them that God has not forgotten them.”
more than a physical house… it is a place
Mercy House has not only changed the lives of the young women it serves, but also has
of hope. In addition, Mercy House reaches
changed Kristen and all her family’s lives as well. “Before [Mercy House], there were lots
women in not just Kenya, but in a number
of trips to Target and a lot of time and money spent on myself with personal aspirations
of different countries through the ministry
for success,” Kristen said. “After [Mercy House], I’m incredibly busy, but what I do matters.
of Fair Trade Friday. “We seek to empower
I have purpose. I have a beautiful community who says “yes” with me and I fall into bed
women all around the world through fair
exhausted every night.”
trade product development as a means of
employment.”
The Fair Trade Friday initiative is a monthly
Kristen is driven for her cause. “I’m compelled to serve in this way because I have been
served. I’m compelled to give because I have received so much. I’m compelled to love
because I am loved. What I do matters and it is eternal. It will last longer than I do.”
subscription-based club that delivers a
“There are so many ways to get involved,” said Kristen. “Locally (Houston) we have hands-
box of 3-4 beautiful fair trade items to a
on service opportunities regularly. Through our online store (shop.mercyhousekenya.org),
subscriber’s door. “Think cute accessories,”
you can shop, host a home party, join Fair Trade Friday, or become a monthly donor.”
added Kristen. One-time boxes are also
Kristen says sponsorship is how Mercy House meets its monthly budget, but all of these
available for purchase to ‘try out the
areas of involvement are valued greatly.
club’ or to give as a gift. Kristen wanted
“I’m a mom. I don’t have the right education or credentials to do any of this, but I said
a consistent way to provide jobs for the
“yes” and God is doing the rest. And the best part is that so many other mothers – hundreds
young women Mercy House serves. “We
– have said “yes” with us and that has created a beautiful story.” ◘
believe in redeeming consumerism. In
America, we are going to buy, so let’s buy
things that matter.” Women are paid a fair
wage to provide for their families and are
also offered support by non-profit partners.
“In America, we have opportunity. I didn’t
see that in Kenya,” Kristen explained. “We
raise the money and support a completely
indigenous staff in the country. Our flagship
ministry is in Africa, but through Fair Trade
Friday, we are working in 14 other countries
to empower women.”
Each ministry of Mercy House is geared to
provide hope. “Women are one of the most
LEARN MORE:
The Mercy House
Ste. 115-110 8000
Research Forest Dr
Spring, TX 77382
mercyhousekenya.org
oppressed people groups in the world,”
Kristen began. “In many countries they
don’t have rights or the opportunity to be
PERFECTLY MIXED, PERFECTLY MATCHED
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