Global Focus Week

We are on the campus of Liberty University this week participating in their Global Focus Week. The funds raised will go toward completing our building project in La Concordia, Nicaragua. 

Another Nicaragua Project Update

Our project is Nicaragua is still coming along nicely. They have finished the outside of the restaurant and are now working on the windows. The work is also continuing inside. It will not be long now. 

We just want to thank all of you who support our this ministry by purchasing from our shops at 1219 and 919 Main Street in Lynchburg, Virginia. 

Nicaragua Project Update

We would like to give an update on this year’s mission project in Nicaragua. As we have shared earlier, we are currently in the process of building a patio restaurant for the family of one of our artisans. 

In the past, the family has always cooked, sold, and delivered food from their kitchen to the surrounding community. As the project progresses, we are hoping to have the grand opening in July of this year. 

Again, we would like to thank all of our costumers who support our business and help us to make projects like this, and others, a reality for families in third world countries.

Our New Director in Nicaragua

My name is Moises Rayo Garcia. When I was ten years old I worked as a car watcher for a pizza shop here in Esteli. I eventually ended up helping a lady with cleaning at her house, doing miscellaneous chores and washing cars at a nearby car lot. It was there that I met Mr. Luis, Mrs. Spearman's father. He offered me a job helping him. I did not have a father, so Mr. Luis and I became very close. I appreciated him helping me through my years of high school. He became a father figure to me. Sadly, when I was in my 11th year of school, Mr. Luis passed away in 2018. It was then that Mrs. Spearman offered me a position that required me to live and watch over her mother. Part of my new position required that I drive her mother around and I didn't have a license, so she paid paid my way through driving school, and I have been living in her home ever since. Through the Spearman's support, I finished high school, and am now a university student with only two years left in my degree in Political Science and International Relations. I have already completed an associates degree in Human Resources. 

This year has been very tough for everyone, Nicaragua is no exception. The Spearman's have offered me the opportunity to be the director of "Tejiendo Vidas International" which is a ministry that helps artisans throughout the world. She came to Nicaragua in December and trained me to be able to teach other artisans wire wrapping techniques. My job now is to find and train other students, so that we can help them finish their schooling like I did. Sadly, most students here in Nicaragua end up dropping out of school because of the economic situation here. I am grateful for the opportunity and especially the blessing of being able to help the youth in my country through this position.

Mujeres Central de Cooperativas

Jannett just recently spent some time in Esteli, Nicaragua visiting a fair trade coffee maker called Las Diosas who uses the profits and premiums from their coffee sales to provide health and education for women and children for a ministry called Mujeres Central de Cooperativas. We are now carrying their coffee in both of our locations in Lynchburg.

The Journey Has Begun!

We are very excited that Angela has been able to raise enough support to go to Spain as a guidance counselor to missionary and third culture kids. Also, we are so appreciative to our loyal customers who made it possible for us to be a part of her journey.

Monthly Artist Spotlight

Diana Ferrell serves desperately poor women and families in Uganda through Compassionate Women Initiative (CWI). Thanks to her vision, guidance and oversight about 300 to 500 very sick children get medical attention and treatment monthly. Thousands of helpless widows every year are learning life and job skills.

CWI partners with Wise Choices for Life (WCFL) to inspire a change of thinking among the youth, women and men. That they can make an informed decision on Sexual and Reproductive matters.

The CWI Craft Studio is one of their sustainable projects. The Craft Studio specializes in making cards with the uniqueness of beautiful multicolored Kitengi materials. The Studio also designs crown earrings, bracelets of beads and threads, scrunchies, headbands, and Kitengi animals. The purpose of the studio is to raise support for the CWI ministry projects so that CWI will not have to go to outside sources to continue its ministry into the future. The Craft Studio gives back to the community by offering free craft training to unemployed or underemployed women in the communities. These training can help empower women to generate their own income or add to their income to earn a living to help their families.

Here at Spearman Artisanry, we carry several of the items made by this ministry here in our Lynchburg locations as a way of supporting the work of Diana and the work of CWI.

Compassionate Women Initiative in Uganda

We have cards for every occasion thanks to Diana Ferrell with Compassionate Women Initiative in Uganda. Through her ministry, desperately poor women and families in Uganda get the medical attention and treatment that they need. Also, thousands of helpless widows every year are able to learn valuable life and job skills that include poultry farming and their craft studio. Every card you purchase goes toward helping this ministry (http://cwimission.org).

We are Proud of Angela

We had the privilege of being able to teach Angela as a high school student at the International Christian School in Lima, Peru. Wonderful family. Now, we have the honor of being able to financially support her as she pursues of calling to Missionary Kids (MKs) and Third Culture Kids (TCKs) from expatriate families through the guidance department at Evangelical Christian Academy in Spain

She just recently wrote to us and said, "Thank you for your gift! Because of your contribution, I am one step closer to starting my ministry in Spain! I praise God for you and for your desire to support me and give towards the work He is accomplishing through international Christian education. Please pray for me as I continue to raise support and prepare to move, settle, and begin work in Spain.

If you would also like to support Angela, please use this LINK.

Land Purchase!

We were blessed just recently to be able to purchase a piece of land for Moises Rayo and his family in Esteli, Nicaragua to build their own home. A special word of thanks to all of our supporters for helping make this a reality.