Non-Profit, Fair Trade, World-Class quality products made by the poor, from around the world. Solutions to global poverty, environmentally sensitive designs that are made from organic, renewable resources or recycled materials. Transformation Happens!!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thistle Farms
Thistle Farms is a project of Magdalene, in Nashville Tennessee. They provide housing and jobs for women leaving prostitution, victims of domestic violence, and drug addiction. The beautiful handmade candles are made with soy eco-wax and essential oils. Packaged with a wonderful message: "Love Heals", these are $20 at Mission Gifts Fair Trade store. The room sprays are also made with a variety of essential oils and only $15 each. Recently featured on a 3 part interview on NPR radio, view the video and listen to the discussion here: LINK
We are so happy for the progress that has been made by God's grace over the years. Mission Gifts was started in 1990 by artist-missionary Robin Haines Merrill, in response to the needs she witnessed in Asia of people trying to leave prostitution and street life, after becoming Christians. Economic development projects were needed to sustain their new spiritual life and direction. 20 years later, here we are! The products you will see on this site are from various ministry partners from around the world, as well as many designed exclusively by Mission Gifts artists and designers. ENJOY!
NEW LOCATION!! Downtown Fort Lauderdale in Las Olas RIVERFRONT.
Street parking available with meters, or local parking garages.
300 SW 1st Ave (Brickell) unit #123, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. We are located mid-block and across from Pita Pit restaurant. 954-592-6021. Daily hours vary, so please call ahead of time to ensure we will be there. We're commonly open 11am-4pm, but it's best to call to be sure we're not "out & about". Visit us soon!
Working hard, to serve God and help others
Schools & Group Fundraisers!
You can have a "Shopping Day" at Mission Gifts Fair Trade Store to benefit your organization! Have fun shopping and socializing, and make money for your organization at the same time. Contact us for details: robin@christiancultural.com
or 954-592-6021
Out of the area? You can order Mission Gifts products in bulk to be sold by your students, club or organization, and make a percentage of the sales. Do something different and support Fair Trade!
Support Fair Trade!
DID YOU KNOW that Mission Gifts is one of the ONLY Fair Trade store in all of South Florida--Palm Beach County to Miami-Dade?? Sad but true! *Two churches have Fair Trade shops: "Miami Fair Trade" at Coral Gables Congregational Church in Miami and "SERRV" at First Presbyterian of Fort Lauderdale.
DID YOU KNOW that Florida is in the top three states for Human Trafficking?? Most Floridians are unaware of this terrible fact, happening right here. Mission Gifts Fair Trade Store serves as an outreach and educational center by selling the products made by rescued victims, and explaining the situation to our customers and guests. We also spend time with the community and raise awareness, train, and offer assistance in getting involved in solutions.
HELP US HELP THEM! All donations are greatly appreciated, and tax deductible.
Or visit our store and purchase one-of-a-kind items that support those in need.
THANK YOU for your care and concern.
March 17, 2010
The Significance of having the Grand Opening on St. Patrick's Day:
ST. PATRICK WAS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM. Florida is one of the top 3 states in the United States for human trafficking. MISSION GIFTS sells the products of people rescued from human trafficking from around the world. Patrick was kidnapped from his family's estate in Britain by pirates when he was 16, and taken to Ireland to work in grueling conditions for six years without pay. When he escaped, he returned to his family and studied to be a priest (Celtic). Liberated, he felt compelled by the love of God to bring Christianity to the land of his captors, which was mainly Pagan at the time (approx. 370 AD). He eventually was elevated to Bishop of Ireland, and upon death, became one of the first non-Roman Catholic saints. St. Patrick was a missionary and former trafficking victim, who was so empowered by the transforming power of God that his legacy is still celebrated around the world today, although it's largely lost its original meaning and has become a day of drunkenness. Instead, we will celebrate this day with its origins intact. Our Fair Trade gift shop and art gallery offers hope and escape to those who have been bound by prostitution and other forms of servitude. We trust that our Holy God will enable these people to CHANGE THE WORLD, just as St. Patrick did.
Human Trafficking is Big Business! It has currently surpassed weapons dealing on the black market, to become the second largest criminal activity in the world (behind drug smuggling). At Mission Gifts Fair Trade Store,"WE FIGHT BAD BUSINESS WITH GOOD BUSINESS!"Please support these economic justice programs in every way possible. Divert your shopping to us, and give generously when you are able. Look for ways that you can be involved to help change the economic and spiritual components of these tragedies in your community, and around the world. Every small action toward improvement will certainly help!
MISSION GIFTS is an economic development project that focuses on:-Persons leaving prostitution-Street Children-HIV-AIDS patients-Human Trafficking victims-Dump dwellers/scavengersMission Gifts represents more than 15 different ministries and economic development projects, in 7 different countries, and employs at least 1,500 people on any given day.
Have your next fundraising event, luncheon, social, or meeting with us!
Represented at Mission Gifts
Mission Gifts sells the economic development projects from the following organizations:Street Children: -Kanlungan sa Erma-- Manila Philippines Human Trafficking &Prostitution:-Samaritana-- Quezon City, Philippines -Tamar/YWAM-- Olongapo, Philippines -Christian Cultural Development Foundation--Philippines -Freeset-- Calcutta, India -Puresa Organics-- Nepal & India -Hagar/Stop-Start-- Cambodia, Viet Nam & Afghanistan -Nightlight--Bangkok, Thailand -Rahab--Bangkok, Thailand -Thistle Farms--Tennessee, USA. New Life Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Communities at Risk/Extreme Poverty:-Village Handcrafters--Antipolo, Philippines, ART.SERVE.INT-Uganda, Africa. ABAN, Ghana, Africa. Dump Dwellers/Garbage Dump villages:-XSProject--Jakarta, Indonesia. Flutemaker Ministries/The Kids of Cascabel, Nicaragua.HIV-AIDS Patients:-Christian Cultural Development/Mission Gifts--Manila, Philippines