The (in)mercy Project Launches!

Today, I’m proud and honored to be part of a project that launches here – that will have repercussions around the world. (in)courage – you’ll be familiar with them by now – has partnered with Mercy House Kenya to take journey together "(in)Mercy" to raise funds to provide essentials for the safety and sustainability of Mercy House and its 12 moms and 12 babies. There are five very specific ways that will enable Mercy House Kenya to move confidentiality forward in its mission of serving women and children – all before Christmas! Each phase will be represented by a group of bloggers from the (in)courage community who has felt a special affinity for that particular phase.

Now, I won’t be writing until November (so you’ll have to check back and see what part of the project drew my heart), but I have some amazing friends that I’ve met through the (in)courage community who are writing in Phase One that you just need to meet. Each has her reasons for writing, each has her own special voice, each has been blessed by God with a way with words and a crafting of language. I hope you’ll take a moment and visit these friends of mine and learn more about the (in)mercy project.

Karrilee at Abiding Love, Abounding Grace
She was one of the first that I met. Once of the first Five Minute Friday writers to say hello over Twitter; to welcome me in; to make me feel at home. Since then, this friendship has grown as we’ve discovered one thing after another in common – so many things to make us kindred spirits – and so many ways to pray and support each other. I’m looking forward to November, when I finally get to say hello in person and welcome her into my home.

Alia Joy at Narrow Paths to Higher Places
I adore this architect of words and am so grateful for her coming into my life. Another FMF friend who shares the West Coast time with me, Alia’s words are a beautiful balm and inspiration whenever I land on her page. She is also the giver of much wise advice – that I turn to time and again as I grow on my journey as a writer.

Vanessa at Hearts on Guard

Photo by Bess Brownlee

I have to say, I’ve never met anyone who encourages quite as much as Vanessa does. She’s fairly new to blogging, but you’d never know that with all the talent, skill, and passion she employs. In addition to a beautiful voice that she writes her story with, she lifts up, exhorts, and brings light to other writers who need a long distance hug, a tweet to bring them a smile, or an email to let them know that they are not alone.

Kris Camely at KrisCamely.com
Her book on the Lenten Season, Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement, has completely moved me. And I can’t even write to her about it yet because I keep going back and reading pieces over and over and over again. It’s another online friendship that has been nourished by (in)courage, and one where I’m a little tentative in the light of her gifts, and yet always overwhelmed by her generous spirit.

There are more writers … twenty-four in all in Phase One. And I hope that you’ll enjoy the writings of the ones that I’ve shared here. Maybe you’ll see more. If you’re interested, you can donate through the widget on my page or theirs. Learn more about Mercy House. Learn how God is moving. Learn how taking situations that could be so terrible and turning them for His good. Let’s help bless them for Christmas.