This Roller Coaster Ride

In truth, today is probably not the best day to sit down and try to write this blog post. I'm kind of a worried mess right now. You know, crazy doubts and questions racing through my mind at unreasonable speeds. How's this going to happen? Was that the right decision? Oh crap, here's another bill to pay? Why are things not coming together faster? Are these risks worth it?

Have you ever been there?

So obviously I'm there right now. This journey of starting and growing SoloHope has been full of ups and downs--very similar to a roller coaster ride. At times, I want off the roller coaster. I want to throw in the towel and quit. I want to whine and complain and say it's too hard!

But then I take a step back and remember...

I remember the smiling faces of our artisans. I remember how vulnerable they were as they shared their stories last month. I remember the pride our artisans had when they showed me their new cookware. I remember them posing for pictures beside their new comals (stoves). I remember singing happy birthday in Spanish to our artisans and sharing cake with the kids from the community. I remember the laughter we shared over my inability to catch a guy (yep, that topic comes up in Honduras too). I remember the joy as they talked about having the ability to send their children to school. I remember their gratitude as they thanked me for starting SoloHope. I remember how so many have come along and stood beside me in this journey. I remember God is faithful.

And then I remember why I am doing this.

Is this journey easy? Heck no! It is by far the hardest thing I've ever done. But is anything of great value ever easy? I know, cliche but nonetheless, true.

Bear with me for a minute as we talk some Southern cooking. (I have a point, I promise.) In the South, our mamas can make the best homemade mashed potatoes. Maybe the same is true for mamas of the North. But you can't beat Mama's homemade mashed potatoes. They are the best but they do take some time to make. You have to peel a bazillion potatoes, then cut them up, boil them and then drain them. Then you have to add milk and butter, grab that hand mixer (or potato masher) and start beating those potatoes until they're fluffy creamy mashed potatoes. It takes some time but when you're done, those mashed potatoes are oh so good!

I can't really say the same for instant mashed potatoes. You open a package, pour "the contents" in a bowl, add water or milk and then put them in the microwave. Sure, they're easy and fast to make but I'm sorry, they just aren't the same. And believe me, you can tell the difference. I can't stand instant potatoes! But often times I find myself longing for that concept of instant potatoes to be applied to my life.

You know, Lord, why can't SoloHope be instantly successful? Why can't it be easy? Why can't it be a risk-free process? Why can't I have a little extra money in the bank so this process doesn't hurt so much?

Anything of great value takes hard work and time and patience and perseverance. It doesn't happen overnight. For all the people we like to call "overnight successes," we weren't there with them as they put their blood, sweat and tears into their businesses and organizations. We didn't see the inner workings of their minds to know how many times they almost quit. We weren't there with them to account for all the time, some of them years, before they became an "overnight success."

It's worth it.

I know that SoloHope is worth every frustration, every tear, every disappointment because I have seen the impact. I remember for what reason I started this journey and I'll keep running hard.

Lives are worth it. 

Hope renewed is worth it. 

Families empowered is worth it.

Women overcoming poverty is worth it.

Dreams resurfacing is worth it.

I'm not gonna quit. Does the thought run through my head at times? Yes. Obviously. But I thank God for the determination He's given me for SoloHope. I thank God for the opportunity to work with such amazing women in Honduras who are inspiring me every day. I thank God for sending people who are giving of their time, resources and talents to make SoloHope a success. I thank God for this idea that grew into a vision and then a reality. I thank God for not sending me out to walk this journey alone but going with me every step of the way. And I'm not gonna lie, I thank God that we will not always be in the same place as we are at this very instant. I thank God that things will keep growing and succeeding beyond my wildest dreams because in fact, they already have.

-Emilee

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory... Ephesians 3:20-21

Looking Up

For the few mornings, I've woken up to be welcomed to another full day in Honduras. Right outside my door is the wall that encloses this beautiful tucked away family owned hotel. It's a beautiful stone wall with lush green foliage growing about its foundation. A burst of color will break forth in the form of a flower on the wall. It's a beautiful wall. But it is a wall nonetheless.

I wonder what it would be like to live within these physical walls all my days and the only hope of another world was to look up. To look up to a sky where birds fly freely and the stars shine brightly and the rain pours refreshingly. 

These last couple days in Honduras, I've thought about walls a bit (as you can tell) because I am learning about walls we sometimes feel trapped by. A couple days ago Ashley and I began meeting with the SoloHope artisans. They knew we were coming to capture their stories on video. We could tell it meant more than either of us could have imagined that someone wanted to know their stories.

Their stories were heartbreaking. Their stories spoke of walls that had held them captive. Walls of broken families. Walls of poverty. Walls of hurts and pains. But in midst of their stories were glimpses of looking up. Looking up to a place of freedom. Of peace and joy. Of hope. They looked up to see more than the walls they had known in their lives. And as they have looked up, the walls have begun to fall, no longer there to hold them prisoner.

One of our artisans shared how at one point she had become so discouraged and disheartened by her hardships that she walked through the doors of a church looking up. Looking for hope. The members prayed for her and told her a big blessing was soon to come into her life but she would have to fight for it, to continue looking up. As she recounted her story, the blessing came, she shared, two years after the church members prayed for her and it was a job with SoloHope. 

Walls of lack and poverty have begun to fall as their eyes have shifted from the walls that encircled them to look up to the skies of freedom and hope. These women inspire me and give me a determination to keep looking up beyond the walls of doubt and fear and failure. Their stories have greatly impacted me. I feel honored to know each of them and to have the opportunity to work with them as they are talented, loving, determined women who show me the power of looking up everyday.

Like & Share

We just reached 600 Likes on Facebook! 

I happen to think that's pretty exciting! More and more people are learning about SoloHope and our story to renew hope in rural Honduras and beyond.

In a little over two weeks, I'm headed back to Honduras and coming along for the journey is photographer, Ashley Stephen. This girl has been a God-sent for SoloHope! You know the gorgeous photos from our Summer 2014 Collection you've been seeing on all our social media channels? She did that! Talk about talent.

And a servant's heart.

 Ashley has blown me away with her willingness to offer her skills and talents to serve SoloHope and the women behind it. In May, we go for many reasons but our focus will be capturing the story of hope we are seeing unfold in rural Honduras through photography and video.

Fabulous photographer, Ashley Stephen, and myself

More people than I can count have told me "You need a video."

I could not agree more!

I want you to meet the women behind SoloHope. I want you to hear their voices. To see their faces. To hear what having a job has meant to each of them and their families. I want you to see the Honduras in which I have fallen in love with your own eyes. We can't load all of our Facebook and Instagram followers onto a plane but we can bring Honduras to you. Through photo. Video. And our beautiful handcrafted products.

We want to continue to tell the SoloHope story to the best of our ability but also have tools available that you can become a part of helping us share that story. A video is a fabulous way to just that! So then soon we'll be celebrating 1000 Likes! And then 2000, then 5000 and then...well, you get the point. :) You are part of this story!

So often I am asked how can I support SoloHope?

Here's some very practical things you can do right now!
1) Visit www.solohope.org and order your favorites!
2) Follow our social media pages! Then SHARE our pages with your friends!
        @solohopeorg on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
3) Tell a friend about SoloHope and our story to renew hope through intentional trade.
4) Pray for our artisans and everyone involved with SoloHope.

This is an exciting time of learning and growing! Thank you for your support and encouragement to follow after the King! It's all for Him. That His HOPE and LOVE may shine and shine bright!

Happy Easter, Friends!

The Canoa Bag

We were all laughing and having a fun time but the bus was soon to leave so we were preparing to say our good-byes and bring an end to our 2013 SoloHope Christmas Party at Dilcia's house. Lots of yummy food had been eaten. Even flan for dessert! Secret friends had been revealed and gifts opened. It had been a fun day and it seemed all but the hugs good-bye had been done.

Until...

Dilcia, our first SoloHope artisan, approached me and handed me a lovely Christmas gift. I stared in absolute shock as I realized what I was holding. It was a beautiful canoe shaped bag (thus the name "canoa" Spanish for canoe) designed by Dilcia herself. Complete with a braided strap and zipper, the bag I was holding was stunning and a true work of art.

I looked up at Dilcia standing there with her mama close by awaiting my reaction. And a reaction I had!

"Que bonito!" // How pretty!

"OMGosh!!!"

"This is amazing!"

"Me gusta mucha!" // I love it so much!

I could tell Dilcia was pleased by my reaction. And looking at her mom, I could tell how proud she was of her daughter. It doesn't matter how old we get, mothers are always proud of their daughters regardless of culture or country.

Right then and there, I knew what our next product would be and it wasn't long before Dilcia was teaching our other SoloHope artisans the design!

The Canoa Bag represents more than a fun and unique bag or a new SoloHope product. It's about hope. Poverty steals. It steals dreams. It steals peace. Joy. Creativity. Hope.

Hope renewed.

It's a process. It doesn't happen overnight. But I'm seeing glimpses. Dilcia designed this bag from her own creative mind. She's dreaming. Thinking outside of the box. And creating a product that has peaked quite the interest. I'm so proud of Dilcia. And Maribel. And Karina. They are beautiful talented young women and I am so honored and thankful that I have the opportunity to work with them!

Quick Facts about the Canoa Bag...

1) "Canoa" is Spanish for canoe.
2) In two days, the ladies can make 3 bags each. That's about 6-7 hours in each bag!
3) Yes, it made of pine straw!
4) The Canoa Bag is featured in 4 colors: Fuschia, Violet, Navy, and Sunflower.
5) This is the first SoloHope product designed totally and completely by one of our artisans.

Order the Canoa Bag at www.solohope.org.

Injustices

I debated long and hard as to where this blog post belonged--on my personal blog (which feel free to check out at emileeconnell.blogspot.com) or here. The content of this blog does not directly describe (though it does to some extent) the conditions and experiences of those working with SoloHope but it does directly describe the reason why I started SoloHope.

For 10+ years now, I have had the opportunity to be a part of missions in Honduras and a couple other places and I have come face-to-face with the ugliness of the broken world that we live in. I see children dressed in dirty rags with bloated tummies from malnutrition. I hear accounts of abuse and rape that leave me heartbroken and angry. I see sickness that I do not understand. These are injustices.

A few days ago, I went with some fellow mission friends to a home in a remote area on Honduras's beautiful mountainside. I've seen some really bad places over the years but this one had to be the worse. The home was more like sticks crisscrossed together to form walls. The dirt floor was scattered with rotting vegetables and dirty rags. On the floor, sat a piece of metal on top of a few blocks with a small fire beneath; this served

as a stove. Black smut caked the walls and ceiling. There in the midst of it all sat a beautiful little girl of 11 years. She sat alone at the time. A neighbor said her father had probably gone to find liquor as he is known for drinking too much and too often. Her mother died a few years before. This little 11-year old is not the only child trying to fend for herself. There are a few older siblings who work outside the home and then two younger children. I have since thought about that home and the little girl over and over again. The sad truth is she is one of many living in such conditions in this world. It is an injustice...

This past week seems to have also been a week for people to share with me deep heart hurts. The stories of abuse that have been entrusted to me make my heart ache and at the same time, infuriate me. In Honduras, who do you tell? Who do you report abuse? Or rape? This is never spoken of. In many ways, abuse is considered normal here. People in positions of authority, respect and yes, even those supposedly representing the Father, have stolen life, innocence and childhoods from their victims yet have received no punishment for their actions. This should never be. A child, a teenager should never be forced into a life of abuse. A child should never be beaten or sexually abused anywhere in the world. Under NO circumstances is this okay...EVER! Allow this to be public service announcement as well: research the organizations to which you give money. Do NOT under any circumstances assume that because someone is doing a "good thing" that they are a good person. I can tell you firsthand that such a belief is a falsehood. Judge the fruit. The horrifying reality is that many have suffered abuse by the hands of those doing a "good thing" and this can only be described as one thing...injustice.

Each day since I've been back in this beautiful country, I have gone to check on a good friend who loves the Lord with all her heart. For the past few weeks, she has laid in bed with sickness. She can barely speak. Each day a fever comes and she is tired. This friend has been like my sister and reminds me so of my mom. She has a heart after her Lord. She has a smile that lights up a room because within her lives the Light of the world. She has faith that moves mountains. And yet she has battled this disease that wishes to take her voice and her life for years now. I don't understand. We have prayed. We have seen her well and then a relapse or flare begins. We read Scripture that says she is healed because of the Son's sacrifice. I don't understand. She loves the Lord. She has served Him faithfully and wants only to be well so she can continue to serve the King and share with the people of the mountains the Good News. But still she is sick. Injustice.

All over this world are injustices. Truthfully it's easy to get overwhelmed and feel that you can do nothing of impact or to try to fix everything at once which is not good course of action. But we can all do something. That's why I started SoloHope. I wanted to do something. I can't do everything but I can do something. I look at the women I am working with and I have seen how much they have overcome themselves. The pains, the hurts, the loss that they experienced and yet they have overcome. I say it all the time but I am truly humbled that God would give me this opportunity. I am honored to have watched an idea in my head develop into a vision for the future and that vision gradually become a reality. It excites me to no end  to see Dilcia, Maribel and Karina begin to catch the vision of SoloHope and begin (on their own) a list of women they hope to see eventually come to work alongside them with SoloHope. I love seeing their eyes sparkle at new possibilities, new hopes, new dreams. I see a joy there that I didn't see before. There is only One who can bring that joy. No, life is not perfect but maybe, just maybe, life doesn't look so scary now.

No, I can't fix all the world's problems but I can't and won't sit back and do nothing. And neither should you. Go to the King. What is He speaking to your heart to do to fight the injustices of this world and to bring joy? It just takes a willing heart.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act with justice and to love mercy and 

to walk humbly with your God." 

Micah 6:8

Visit www.solohope.org to learn more about how we are fighting injustice, renewing hope and bringing joy.

Coming Back

I wish I could explain what this place does to and for me. It's like coming home. Everything is so different from my life in the States but oh how I do love this place. Something happens to me the second the airplane lands and I look out the small window to see the tiny adobe buildings scattered about lining the runway and the lush green plants that invade my view. It immediately puts a smile on my face and a calm over my whole being. What most people don't know is that almost every time I get ready to leave for a trip, I don't want to go. People ask am I excited and honestly I don't know how to answer so my response usually ends with not much more than a shrug of my shoulders. But the second I'm here, all that disappears and a peace and calm overcomes me.

That in itself is fairly ironic for this place that feels like home is usually anything but peaceful and calm. Honduras represents such unrest and poverty that peace is rarely a word used to describe this beautiful nation. Poverty tries and has succeeded for many years to wrap chains around the people. Violence has rocked this nation to its core. The evidence of that is in the heavy military presence that once wasn't there. But I suppose it's those things that assure me that I am right where I am supposed to be. I am feel peace, calm and safe knowing I am right in the middle of God's will for my life.

My arrival yesterday was non-eventful (except for that one flight attendant thinking that bump was something breaking off the plane mid-air but it wasn't). When I got off the plane and walked onto Honduran soil, everything began to click over to my Honduras life. Yes, one of my first thoughts was "Don't flush the toilet paper." followed closely by "Don't get in hurry." That pretty much summarizes life in Honduras. Okay, maybe not quite but close. I got through customs, found my bags, switched phone chips, bought a baleada for lunch and then went to find a taxi, which wasn't hard to do. I felt truly accomplished when I was able to tell him where I needed to go in Spanish and then haggle down the price for the taxi ride because I already knew the going rate.

When I arrived at the bus terminal, I found my bus fairly quickly and was able to shoot a text to my mom to let her know I was here, something I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do. In an effort to interrupt communication between gangsters/drug lords in prison with those on the outside, the Honduran government has basically cut cell service. Most Hondurans have been without cell service for 15 days but somehow smartphones still seem to be working (thank God for my iPhone!).

Riding the bus is always a fun experience. I don't think you've truly seen Honduras until you've seen it from a bus (and the back of a truck). I sat by the window and let the wind tangle my hair. I took in the sounds, the smells (the smell of sugar cane was the best) and the sights. Every time I see these beautiful mountains, I am overcome by the fact that I serve the God who created them. There is one scene of this valley in the midst of all the mountains and the rays of sun seem to highlight it perfectly, I can't help but wonder what the people who had the privilege of being the first to see it must have thought. I am certain they stood before it staring at the majesty of it all and said to themselves or aloud "This is where God must live." It is that beautiful and there's no picture I could take to show you that; you'll just have to set eyes on it yourself.

I arrived in La Esperanza right before the sun was beginning to set. I caught a taxi to the hotel I'll be staying at this month. It's in front of my good friend, Margot's house and the owners are so very sweet. I unpacked my things and organized a bit and truly I love my little room--nothing fancy but simplicity is so....simple and refreshing.

Today I've visited with friends, bought a few things to make sandwiches and have so enjoyed walking in this beautiful sunshine! Tomorrow the SoloHope work (or fun) begins and I am confident that God will again as He always does bless this time and use it to draw me closer to Him as well as those who work with SoloHope. Pray for us. We have lots to do and now I can truly say I'm excited about this month. Pray that we don't lose focus but keep our eyes on Him and remember to see the beauty and peace of His presence all around us.

I lift up my eyes unto the hills--

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heave and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

1 Year!!!

It's December 1st and not only is just hard to believe it's this time of year again but it's even harder to believe that today SoloHope celebrates 1 Year in business! 1 Year of adventure! 1 Year of learning and growing! 1 Year of hope! 1 Year of many years' dreams becoming reality!

A year ago, I was speaking at a youth event in Cairo, GA sharing my heart for missions and also announcing the launch of this new business that was about so much more than business--it's about hope! It was amazing to see the beginnings of this dream becoming reality. The next day, I put on my Verizon uniform and went back to work at my full-time job and even I didn't know what the future held for that upcoming year.

I didn't know that a year later, I would be sitting in Honduras writing this blog having quit a secure full-time job with the best co-workers four months earlier to take the biggest risk of my life. I didn't know that I would at times feel like I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't know that I would have this amazing team of people come on board to help grow the vision and mission of SoloHope. I didn't know how much work creating a new product would take or how much I would love the process. And more than anything I truly had no idea how much SoloHope would impact the lives of the women who make the products--Dilcia, Maribel and Karina. I didn't know the impact it would have on their families. I mean, that was and is the whole point but I just didn't have a clue.

Our new products!

This God-adventure has been more than I could have ever imagined but isn't that what was promised.

          "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according
           to his power that is at work within us..."   ~Ephesians 3:20~

This year has been that more than I could have thought to ask or imagine. I think about the beautiful blessings that have come from this year.

Maribel being able to continue her son, Fernando's education
Dilcia and Maribel installing hornilla (form of wooden stove) in their homes
Adding a third SoloHope lady, Karina
Being able to share the vision of SoloHope with multiple churches, groups, chance meetings
Launching a website (twice)
Creating two new products this year 
Dilcia (and her mother) getting to Skype with her sister who she had not seen in a year
Backyard Bible study in Dilcia's backyard for the kids in the community
Lela, who manages SoloHope Stateside, visiting and getting to know the ladies behind SoloHope
Hope being renewed!

The list could go on and on and I'll probably post this blog and think why didn't I mention this, why didn't I mention that. I can't mention everything. I don't even know if I know how to communicate it. But know, please know that this year has been special. We have loooonnnnng way to go and sooooooooo much to learn but I trust that I serve a God who can totally handle it. May this God-adventure continue and I am so excited and curious to see what the 2nd year for SoloHope will hold!

Remember to pray for us. Also go check out our beautiful website www.solohope.org! We have some amazing sales going on this weekend. Perfect time to do some impactful Christmas shopping (I think I just made up a word--impactful?) It's all about renewing hope.

Blessings from all of us at SoloHope! Thank you for making our first year AMAZING!

TIH, This is Honduras

Okay, okay, I know it's actually TIA (This is Africa) but a few years ago, some missionaries I knew here in Honduras jokingly started saying "TIH, This is Honduras." The connotation of that saying carries some truth with it. Honduras is a whole different world and sometimes it just is what is.

Recently I returned from the Conference on Honduras in Copan Ruinas. It had been 5 or 6 years since I attended. This conference is the largest gathering of non-profit and for-profit organizations working to better the future of Honduras. Unfortunately the representation of Christian organizations seemed to have decreased (possibly due to issues mentioned below which kinda bothers me). It is at the conference that I learned some startling stats. Honduras is this small little country in Central America often compared to the size of Tennessee with a population of 7.9 million people. However this small country has a host of BIG problems.

• 2nd poorest country in the Western Hemisphere
• Approximately 64.5% of Hondurans live below the poverty line
• Highest murder rate in the world (you read right—in the world!)
• Over 3000 murders this year alone
• Increasing gang and crime activities (mostly in the larger cities)

The increase in gang and criminal activity has deterred many international volunteers from coming to Honduras which as I learned at the conference has greatly impacted many of the organizations that depend on these volunteers. However you can't blame people for being concerned about their safety and security. Heck, even the Peace Corps have pulled out.

Fortunately I live in the departmento of Intibucá which is positioned in the beautiful mountains of Honduras thus sheltering us from most of the violence found in the larger cities. Although our remote location protects us from the many of the negative issues facing much of Honduras, it also shelters us from some of the progress being made in Honduras. Though things have vastly improved since I began visiting this area 10 years, the roads are still exhausting. Cars take a beating here. Grocery stores don't carry many items that you would think would be commonplace. The electricity goes off at a least once a week for few hours. That may take place in the larger cities as well; honestly I don't know. No one has addresses here. (Try ordering Chinese without an address--very interesting!) There are no chain restaurants found in this department/state which may be a good or bad thing. No Subway, Starbucks, McDonalds or even Wendy's which seems to be the fastfood restaurant that's the first to venture out to new areas in Honduras. So of course, I often crave fastfood!

For the most part, the pros of living in these beautiful mountains of Intibucá far outweigh the cons and I would not change my location in Honduras for anything. Especially when I think of the climate--oh perfecto! The problems that Honduras faces are many and will take much time (and the Lord's direction) to resolve and reverse. So many of the luxuries we have in the States, we simply take for granted. Like drinking water from the facet. Like flushing the toilet paper. (You have no idea how many times I think oh I wish I could just flush the toilet paper.) Like knowing that your children will have access to a quality education. And if you don't believe that the US has an excellent education system, come down here and let me show you. In the States, everyone has a car and complains if they don't get the closest parking space. Here, you walk, take a bus or taxi or even a horse or oxen cart. In the States, bills are delivered to our mailboxes or emails. Here, you go pick up your bills and then go stand in line at the bank where everything is paid. I could continue with these contrasts but you get the point. Things are different here. TIH. Life in America is a gravy train even with a "government shutdown" so think about that the next time you brush your teeth with that facet water. ;)

And pray. Please pray for this country. Pray for the many organizations, businesses and volunteers trying to make a difference in Honduras. Pray also for this country's government that its leaders will have wisdom in how to rid itself of the violence. Pray for the elections coming up in November that the perfect leaders for this time and season will be elected and go forward to help impact Honduras for the better. Pray for the people of Honduras for the destiny of their country truly lies in their hands. Pray that they choose life, choose blessings, choose Him.

Some Days are like Tuesday

Some days are hard. Some days are exhausting. Some days I want to run back to the States where things are so much easier. But some days are like Tuesday. When you begin to see with your own eyes, change. When every dime, frustration, doubt, fear, question suddenly becomes worth it all. And when you glimpse of hope.

Tuesday was a busy day for all of us (all included Mera translating, Margot helping and myself). Wednesday I was scheduled to leave to go to a conference on Honduras so I was trying to get everything done before leaving. That meant going to Santa Cruz for our weekly English class at the school that morning. After class ended, we went to have lunch with a very special and vibrant lady named Lilian. The tamales she made were delicious but unfortunately we had to eat and run.

Run to see our Solohope ladies which was about 30 minutes from where we were. It was so important that I saw the ladies before leaving because we are preparing to ship our first box to the States for a Christmas photo shoot when I return from the conference. We had been putting the final touches on a necklace (Oops! Did I just let that slip!) and needed to make sure it was completed.

When we arrived at Maribel's house, it was later in the afternoon so Dilcia and Maribel's children (they are all sweet friends) were home from school and ran out to meet us as we walked up to the house. As we exchanged greetings, I caught a glimpse of their work in the corner of my eye and pretty much ran to see the beautiful necklaces they had perfected. Oh I am so proud of them!

We sat down and started talking about different color combos I would like to see the necklaces in when I return from the conference. After which, I took a deep breathe and prepared to hint at how many bracelets and other items I would want made in time for Christmas. I asked did they want to know now or when I returned. Now they said. I told them item by item and watched my translator's face as even she was nervous about translating the amounts.

I was prepared for them to say it was too much. That they couldn't do it. But they didn't. Instead they thanked me. They thanked me for the work. I started crying. I whispered, "It's an honor." and truly it is. I don't know why I had the reaction that I did. Maybe because my thoughts trailed to people in the States fussing about their jobs not wanting to work (been there) and here before me sat two ladies with their children gathered around them filled with gratitude. I was so humbled and suddenly filled with such determination. A God-given determination to see this project, this business succeed. It is about a new life for these families and I will work my a-- off to do whatever necessary to see them win.

Twice I have recounted this story. Both times tears joined me again. When I talked to my mom about this experience and again started tearing up, I said I'm not exactly sure why I keep having this reaction. My mom with ever so much wisdom said what I couldn't seem to articulate. "It's seeing this vision you've had for years come to fruition, seeing the change that it's actually making, the difference these women are experiencing in their lives."

It's real now. Not a dream in my mind. No longer just a vision on paper. It's a vision coming to fruition. A dream coming to life. There are real lives being impacted--not just the idea of lives being changed but real life people, families being changed. And that is why it is so overwhelming. I wish I could take what I'm experiencing and transplant it into your heart and mind so you would know exactly what I'm talking about because I fear I am not communicating my heart effectively.

This is just the beginning. There's a lot of work to be done. There are deadlines to be met. More difficulties and risk to be seen. But as we all joined hands before leaving Maribel's home and prayed together and thanked God that He was there with us. He has gone before us. He has prepared the way. He is in our midst and I am thankful. We are all so very thankful.

Visit www.solohope.org.

It's More Than Killing a Chicken

So yes, I really did kill a chicken with a machete. And I learned a good lesson in the meanwhile: Do not say "I want to learn..." unless you are serious. Last week when I was meeting with our Solohope ladies, I mentioned one day wanting to learn how to kill a chicken. For them, this is part of their normal lives of living in rural Honduras and I genuinely do want to understand their daily lives and routines. However, when I said one day, I did mean it; I just thought that day would be much further away.

Usually we meet at Dilcia's house to work on Solohope projects but yesterday we went to Maribel's house for the first time because Maribel wanted Mera (my translator) and me to "know" her home. After we finished talking about Solohope orders and new products (be excited!), Maribel and Dilcia said "We have the chicken ready for you" only in Spanish. I'm sure my eyes got wide!

I asked for it so here came the chicken and the machete. Let's just say killing a chicken is quite an experience! Maribel and Dilcia and Mera laughed at me so much and I was right there with them kinda in disbelief of what I was doing. (Check out the video at the bottom but I do seriously kill a chicken so be warned!)

Maribel teaching me how to remove the feathers.

But it's more than just killing a chicken. It's about doing life with these women. It's about getting to know them and their stories. What's important to them. What they do and don't do. Like Dilcia told me after I killed the chicken that she can't kill chickens because she's too scared--wait, what?!?!

It's about breaking bread. It's about hearing their heartaches and triumphs. It's about learning what their hopes and dreams are for their children. It's about seeing how Solohope is impacting their lives. And friends, it is impacting their lives.

In the last year, Maribel has added a kitchen onto her home and had a stove installed. Dilcia had her stove installed around the same time. This is huge, y'all! Yeah I know from our American perspective, we may look at this picture below of Maribel's stove and think that's not big deal but it is! Oh, it is! Before, cooking would have been done outside over a fire no matter the weather so think about that for a minute.

A traditional wood stove in Honduras

Truly, it's an honor to work with and get to know these women. Solohope is so much more than bracelets and.....you'll find out soon ;) but it's about the hearts of these women.

Have you purchased your Solohope bracelets? Be a part of something more...something bigger than ourselves. Go to www.solohope.org to place your order.

 

3 Things about this Video!

1. I am not crying; I'm laughing. Probably because of that old saying "I laugh to keep from crying."

2. I am not angry. I am simply trying to quickly put the poor thing out of its misery.

3. I got really Southern--I actually sound like someone from the backwoods.

Oh, this Place!

Oh, how I love this place! Over the past ten years, I have travelled to this country more times than I can count but as the plane prepared to touch down in Honduras, I couldn't stop the smile that tugged at my lips. I had arrived to my home for the next four months (...maybe longer).

The next three hours as I rode to La Esperanza (the city I'll be staying in), the handicraft of the our Father simply amazed me again and again as looked over His beautiful creation. Mountains. Valleys. Beauty. Oh I've seen it all before but there's something about the beauty of this country that never EVER gets old. If you can look at this creation and fail to believe in its Creator, you really are a fool (Psalm 14:1).

I arrived in Honduras on Sunday. The first few days have been spent getting settled and assisting the missionary, Lavearn Brooker (President of Lantern of Hope) I am partnering with on a couple different projects. That meant going to Santa Cruz, a community I have had the privilege of working with for several years in partnership with Lantern of Hope. It was such a sweet reunion with the people. The children would run up to me calling my name "Emilee". How precious is it to be remembered! And oh how I remember when these little ones were, well, smaller, shorter. Now some of them are challenging me in height.

This precious little girl is Emilee. Yep, she was named after me! She had definitely grown.

Today I was especially excited to meet with the Solohope ladies, Dilcia and Maribel. This is at the heart of my time here in Honduras. My sweet friend (and translator), Margot, went with me to Buenas Aires where Dilcia and Maribel live. The journey to Dilcia and Maribel began with a walk to the bus station and then a bus ride, then catching a mototaxi and then a little more walking to Dilcia's home.


When we arrived, Dilcia's daughter, Oma ran out to meet us. She led us behind the home to where her mother and Maribel sat working on bracelets in the gentle breeze. I was overjoyed to see them. We began talking and planning and discussing ideas. The excitement in their eyes matched mine. I showed them sketches of some new products I have had in mind and asked if they thought they were possible. They were enthusiastic and said they would begin on the samples. The joy of doing this goes back to one thing though--Jesus.

I am constantly reminded of James 2:15-17...

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

The point of Solohope is to meet a physical need so then a spiritual need can be met. And we are in the beginnings of meeting both. Margot, who has such a heart for giving Jesus, and I asked Dilcia and Maribel could we do a short Bible study with them each week. They said yes! Which I must admit in the Honduran culture it was improbable that they would have said no but it's a start of planting seeds.

After we waved good-bye to Dilcia, Maribel and Oma, Margot and I started the trek back to where the buses depart for La Esperanza. As we were walking and talking, we heard someone behind us but did not realize they were calling for us. Soon little Oma comes running up behind us to catch us to give me my pen that I had left sitting on their table. It was just a pen but they did not want me to be without it. I'm not really a crier but if I'm honest I could begin to feel the tears start to form. How much that meant to me. It is these precious memories I will forever treasure in my heart.

What an honor it is for me to be able to be here. Thank you to all who make it possible. Like Lela and Dilcia who help make up "Team Solohope". They shared the heart of Solohope with the WMU group at Magnolia Baptist Church in Cairo. I am so thankful for them! Thankful for the ones who listened to the vision and heart of Solohope. Thankful to ones who bought bracelets last night (and of course, any other time, like right now ;) go to solohope.org and purchase yours!) I am thankful to God for making this all possible. How humbled, honored and happy I am!

News

This is a newsletter I sent out a few weeks ago about my upcoming time in Honduras and my heart
behind going. Enjoy.

"I have starred at this computer screen so many times trying to determine how to write this letter. Usually I love writing to my support system about what God is doing in my life through missions but for some reason, this one has been hard. Then this morning I was reading in James and read this:

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him,  

“Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs,

 what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”               

                       James 2:15-17 

That’s what I feel like God is calling me to do, to put legs to my faith. On August 18^th, that’s exactly what I’m doing. I’m getting on a plane and I’m flying to Honduras where I will be for at least the next four months. This is exciting and nerve-racking all at the same time but I know this is where God is leading.

In December 2012, I launched a business called Solohope (Spanglish for “Only Hope”) where I am working with a couple of ladies (Dilcia and Maribel) in Honduras who are making bracelets that are handcrafted of pine straw and thread. It is a beautiful unfolding story that I feel absolutely honored to be a part of. For the longest, I’ve had this vision of working with women in third world nations to create products from their available resources that could then be resold in the States. It has been amazing to watch God’s perfect timing unfold and this sustainable vision begin to come together.

Over the last year, I’ve had the privilege to work with Dilcia and Maribel and develop and improve products over quite some distance. (Technology is amazing!) Although we’ve made it work, communication has been hard when needing to communicate changes to products, colors, new products, etc. and I had begun to see a need to be on the ground in Honduras to continue to grow this project and prayerfully see it expand possibly to other countries. I’ve tossed the idea around in my head for a while but truthfully had grown somewhat attached to my lifestyle of consumerism and convenience in the States. But God….

He has worked on my heart. I assumed He would make my dedication to the growth of Solohope available through a completely different means than what I see now. I was certain He would send me a husband who would say “Emilee, you just quit your job and work on Solohope.” Ha! God did not meet those expectations! Instead He is exceeding them. He is having me turn to Him as my ultimate Source, not a husband, not myself but Him alone.

I am beyond excited for these next few months. I ask for your prayers and support. The overwhelming prayer request that I have is for wisdom. I will be doing a great many things I have never done before and feel completely unprepared for but thankfully I serve the God of wisdom. Please pray also for someone who feels lead to keep Solohope running and growing Stateside.

I will be going to Honduras under the covering of Lantern of Hope, Inc. (LOHI) and will also partner with Ms. Lavearn (LOHI missionary) on various projects she has in place now. I am so thankful for Ms. Lavearn’s encouragement and mentorship over the years. She has always believed in me and has never believed impossible. It will be a privilege to again get to work with her before her transition. Pray for her work.

Each of you have been a part of my family over the past years and my adventures in missions. The journey continues and I’m so thankful to have each of you along for the ride. You can learn more about Solohope and purchase your Solohope bracelets at www.solohope.org and also follow my personal blog www.emileeconnell.blogspot.com. Love you all and thank you for your prayers and partnership!"

Story of a Song! {Video!!}

I love a good story. I love to read books with a great storyline and escape into another person's world and experiences or a different time in history. Perhaps that's why I keep saying "Be a part of the Story" for Solohope. Solohope is a redeeming story in the making and with many stories of God's faithfulness wrapped into it. Like how the song for this new Solohope video was found!

I've needed to make this video for the longest but due to a lack of time or various other things, I just haven't done it. I began to pray a couple weeks ago for someone to help with Solohope. For me, asking for help is one of the hardest things to do. I want to be this strong individual who can do it all on her own. Well God didn't make us to be isolated islands. So I did what any control-addict seeking rehabilitation would do, I prayed for help.

And the prayer was answered in the form of one of my coworkers, Jason. And so begins this crazy outrageous story of a song. Jason asked how he could help and I told him I needed a video that I can show at "Solohope Parties" (details to come). He jumped right on it and had me send him pictures and video that I had of the beautiful bracelets and their handcrafters. Then he asked what music I would like. I really had no idea but sent him a song I liked but wasn't sure would fit.

The next day Jason sent me a link to a video he had completed. This song I had never heard before began to play and I told him how much I LOVED it! He then proceeded to tell me how he found the song. He found a USB drive at gas station in Doerun, GA and dropped it in his car's cup holder where it sat for a couple weeks. Finally around the same time he was working on the Solohope video, he popped the USB drive into his computer with the intention to wipe it. But he soon saw church power points and music. I'm not sure what prompted him to pick this song called "My Hope" (or if it was even labeled) but he did. It was a perfect fit for the video. Jason was able to find the address of the USB owner and mailed it back. With it, he included a link to this blog.

End of the story, right? One would think. Until a couple days later, when my roommate, Stephanie, gets a message from a guy in Sale City she went to high school with saying that he was the owner of the USB drive that Jason found in Doerun that held the perfect song for this video you're about to watch!

Stephanie's former classmate made the connection between Solohope and Stephanie through seeing her picture on this blog from an event she helped keep me organized and sane at. Apparently he had no idea what had happened to the USB drive and was probably surprised when it arrived in his mailbox.

Ok, so I thought it was great story!

Trying to run and grow Solohope is whole new experience for me. One that if I'm truthful, I feel completely inadequate for but through this story, it's like God saying to me, "Emilee, I've got your back." Sometimes that's easy to forget in the midst of needing to do this and needing to do that and this and that. But He does, He has our backs. If He cares that much about a song, how much more does He care about our lives, the lives of those being impacted by Solohope and more specifically about your life? A whole heck of a lot!

Hope you all enjoy the video! Send me your feedback!

The Catch-up

Whew! It has been too long and it is time for some serious catch-up because there has been a lot going on with Solohope!

At the beginning of February, I went down to Honduras to spend a few days working with the ladies who are making the Solohope bracelets. It was so much fun! Dilcia and Maribel are two very talented and creative women who willingly deal with my horrible Spanish and crazy American ideas! Below are a few pics from the trip.

Favorite!

Beautiful hands

Maribel

Dilcia



Oma, Dilcia's daughter

Ana, Maribel's daughter

Just pine straw and thread!

Maribel, Me and Dilcia

Our first annual company party! Without each person around this table,
Solohope would not be possible. So thankful!

Also in February, I had the awesome privilege of sharing about Solohope and missions with the Wednesday night crew at Providence Baptist Church in Cairo, GA. They probably have no idea what an encouragement they were to me and my heart. And it was loads of fun watching them sort through bracelets, try this one and that one on, match these colors and those colors! Great night for sales ;) This church truly has a heart for global missions and I was so grateful, encouraged and humbled by their support.

No, I'm not singing but if you know me at all, you know I'm very
animated in my expressions and love to talk with my hands!

Providence Baptist Church Wednesday Night Service

Skipping ahead to March which by the way is almost over too! March 16th I set up shop at Byne Christian School's first Body, Mind and Spirit Market Days. I was so thankful (seems to be a reoccurring theme=Thankful) for my friend, Stephanie Patterson, who helped keep me organized that day. We had a great time sharing the story of Solohope and helping people pick out their favorites. It was so much fun because towards the end, people were coming up and saying we've been hearing the story of Solohope all day and had to come see the bracelets. Love some word of mouth! Not only did we get to sell lots of bracelets but some great connections were made as well as some very thoughtful suggestions.

My friend and great supporter of Solohope, Stephanie and myself

Beyond that, some other fun highlights: working on a video that tells the story of Solohope, plans for a website coming very soon and fun giveaways coming up on Solohope's facebook page tonight!

I am learning that starting and moving forward with Solohope is a learning experience and there's LOTS to learn but I absolutely LOVE it! My prayer is that I give it my best and then leave the rest in His hands.

The Countdown

Oh wow, it's been a while since I've updated the progress and happenings of Solohope. Sooo let's see.....

• Solohope Facebook page launched! Aiming for 113 "Likes" by the end of 1/13 so we can have a drawing for some bracelets!!! Still have some "Likes" to go and only a few days left but hey we can do it! Go like Solohope! Like right NOW :)
• Now order Solohope bracelets online at www.etsy.com/shop/Solohope!!
• Great contacts have been made in regards to Solohope moving forward and people learning about the mission!

The big thing, however, comes this Saturday when I head to Honduras to work with Dilcia and Maribel, the two ladies who make the Solohope bracelets! The countdown is definitely on!!!!! I am so excited to share with these ladies all the work and progress that has taken place once the bracelets have reached to the States. These ladies live in a very rural area where they don't even have electricity so they have no idea all that's been going on and I can't wait to tell them all about it!

Keep us all in your prayers Feb. 2-6. May it be a fun and productive time together!

The Progress

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted but the work has definitely continued in my absence of blogging about this new endeavor called SoloHope!

Literally a couple hours ago, the hundredth bracelet was sold! How exciting is that!!!!!!! Totally exciting!!!!!!!! What is beautiful is knowing that this really can be a sustainable income for the ladies in Honduras and that their children's education will be sponsored. For each bracelet sold, $2 goes into an education fund for their children. Right now that fund is at $200 which may not seem like a lot but that's enough to sponsor 2 children for an entire year! And we're only 18 days into the business! Now that's being a part of an amazing story!!

Sunday, I hosted a small open house, SoloHope: A Part of the Story. It was a lot of fun and gave friends who've been asking about the bracelets an opportunity to see all of them and pick out their favorites. I am ever so grateful to all that came.

Today was another mile marker crossed for SoloHope as they can now be purchased in a local store called Sugar Magnolia's. It's right here in Albany, GA on Dawson next to Backstage. It's another pretty cool story how that happened! I have noticed this store's window every time I drive by it and finally I had to stop in. I found the cutest little French market full of beautiful treasures. As I put my purchase on the counter, Christina (Sugar Magnolia's owner) commented on my SoloHope bracelets. I of course told her the story and she offered to carry them in her store and a week later, there they are! Go check it out if you're in the area.

The next project is having a way the bracelets can be purchased online. That has been the most asked question. So stay tuned...

It is amazing to see this network evolve of people spreading the news about SoloHope and the beautiful story behind these bracelets! I LOVE it!!!