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The HOPE Doll Project

The project started from a deep sadness and hopeless feeling in my heart when reading story after story about the plight of the Syrian Refugees. Stories about babies born on over crowed  dinghy’s, children falling overboard and washing up on beaches, women being raped, fear enshrouding families and a desperate loneliness and sense of loss. People who fled for their lives, leaving literally everything behind. As an immigrant I know these emotions, except that of running from death. In agony I called out to God, “How can I help?”

After days, I woke up one morning remembering a time that I said to The Lord that I do not want to work with the brokenhearted. I saw how He changed my heart. My heart was engulfed in tenderness not just for the refugees, but for those that hurt for a myriad of reasons, in my city, my country, my homeland – all over the globe. What can one woman do for a world in pain? Then the picture of the HOPE Tea Doll danced in my thoughts. Joy flooded my soul and immediately I drew her, found tucked-away fabric, sewed, wrote the note, added the tea and there she lay! A soft little ray of comfort to hold close to a heart with the calming fragrance of lavender and a message of HOPE and encouragement. Bringing a splash of HOPE when needed most.

The next day as I looked at her with the how-it-all-works plan configuring in my head , I thought, “How silly. Really now!” Doubts, fears and embarrassment declared this foolishness. I ran to Jesus. He simply said: “It’s not silly. You know I use who you are and the details of your story to share my love and HOPE in dark places”. Yes, tea is so much part of my story . . . asking women to set aside the hurried cup of coffee for the quiet, languid sipping of tea. Catching and sharing stories in my genes. (My mom wrote children’s stories for the radio in South Africa). Giving gifts my love language and making them by hand a passion. So yes, it’s what I have to offer. I would do it no matter how odd or difficult the task. It was obvious – this was not my grand idea, it was His – our creative God. So in obedience to His leading, the project began.

What a privilege it is for us to bring God’s HOPE and light where it is needed! Your monthly contribution will provide the purchase of the Dolly’s stuffing, shipping costs, card stock for the notes, tea, lavender and when we run out of donated fabric, the fabric.

As a visionary, if God so wills it, I can see a place where there are rows of tables, sewing machines, writing stations, tea-packing and shipping. A project that sends HOPE Tea Dolls all over the world. The women working there will be those going through hard times that need a safe, God-centered place to recover and gain strength.  What about a tea and lavender farm . . . the dream is endless. Thankful God knows what’s next! All we know for now is the very beginning. It is enough for today!

Here are further ways to contribute:
*  Donate cotton fabric (shipping would be at your expense)
*  Sew HOPE Tea Dolls (pattern will be given)
*  Write cards of HOPE (exact template with size and words will be given and what card stock to use)
*  If you would like to be a HOPE Tea Doll Giver (depending on number of dolly’s available at any given time)

If you would like to have us  send a HOPE Tea Doll to someone specific:
*  Share name and address
*  Additional cost of $5.00 per dolly; $10.00 if international

I am so excited to see what God will do, knowing that perhaps we will never truly know how far and meaningful each Dolly’s reach will be.