LOVE GOES: New Ministry to Mommies

I can't say this is an official work of the church plant here in Espoo, however the ladies are greatly involved. But I can say that it is something I really like to do.

"Well what is it?!" you ask.

Gift baskets or Gift bags to mommies with new babies. (not old ones ha ha ha)

The purpose: to have the opportunity to show the love of Christ, how it overflows in the life of the believer to share His love to others in a practical way.

The idea is if possible, to first provide these things for the local body (if someone were to be impregnated) and then to the community around us.

For example, Sally (names have been changed to protect the innocent, [insert cough here]) from the church plant mentioned her friend. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share the love of Christ and be creative! Just recently I received an email and two pictures from Sally saying how surprised, shocked and grateful (at least that is what I understood in Finnish) they were.

How do I round up these items?

1. I ask the local body of believers

What better way to see the church giving what they already barely have. Most of our church-plant fellowship are students and/or poor. Some with families of their own. STILL, they are giving and donating! Plus it helps us rid of the things we don't need anymore!

2. Donations

Tell businesses your church is helping mothers with gift baskets and bags. I did this with Mikko's step-sister. She works for Kipling/Jansport distributers. She was able to give me five really nice bags for FREE! They make great diaper bags and we would just stuff them. She also works for Korres, a natural beautycare shop that is based in Greece with many stores around the world (ie. Helsinki). I got some nice samples for the mothers too!

3. I look out for sales and mega discounts

It is not cheap to live here. Really. I save on costs and wait till JYSK has their crazy sale on baskets and blankets. The basket I got for Sally's friend was 75% off because this one store was closing, it was 5 euros!

4. Takes 10 euros (13.63 dollars) for a bag of diapers. I prefer to buy the Muumi diapers because they are some-what kinder to the environment than the normal throw-aways.

So what do you think? I am loving it!