7.24.2010

tukula give away

picture of Melissa Terranova and the child she took in temporarily

Here is where my heart (the new heart--the one that God is breaking) has been taking me of late...

Where Melissa and Joe Terranova are following Jesus one day at a time, one step at a time.
Where they are not just letting God break their hearts for the people of Uganda, but they're committed to doing something about it.

I think what struck me the most about this couple I have never met, but have grown to love is the simple way they present their story.  In Melissa's own words,
"I get asked very often what I do and why I am in Uganda.   My answer to question number one is: I own a business.  My answer to question number two is: I'm following Jesus.   
I am not in Uganda because I own a social business that works with young tailors - I am in Uganda because Jesus called me to be a disciple and I said yes...then he called me to leave everything again and I said "I'll go" - reluctantly but I said it. THAT is why I am in Uganda."
They created a small business called tukula (translated it means "we grow") to help assist tailors in Uganda.


 My heart nods in agreement with their vision:
"...to bring real and tangible solutions to the world of poverty and aid through different means than just “hand outs” but rather “hand ups”.  We work to help those in vulnerable conditions by using entrepreneurial principles and innovative projects to achieve sustainability. 
Our current focus is meeting basic needs (water and sanitation) of those in rural village communities through the excess profit we receive from our tailoring business.
Our ultimate focus is to serve God and others with grace, love and peace."
Not only have Melissa and Joe walked away from everything near and dear to them here in the States, but they've committed themselves to walking beside their brothers and sisters in Uganda, to giving them a "hand up" with flesh on it.

I want to give you a bag from tukula.  Your choice.

All you have to do is visit tukula and leave me a comment telling me which bag you would like.  That's it.  I'll randomly draw the winner in two weeks.  


Send prayers their way and let's spread the word!  
my mombasa carry-all from tukula
-------------------------------------

Lately, God has been shaking me to my core.  I've been staring into starving eyes from the comfort of my computer screen and falling apart.  Something just isn't right with our "prosperity" mentality.  And it's not that money is the entire issue.  It's our love for it.  Our belief that somehow we deserve it.  How quickly we forget that Jesus asked for it all; that it never really belonged to us in the first place.

I'm reminded again of another season in my life where God performed heart surgery.  I was so distraught because I didn't know how we were going to help the few persecuted Christians my husband had met on his trip to Saudi Arabia.  I reached for His Word, desperate for a "this is the way, walk in it" command from Him.  "What do we do, Jesus?" I whispered, distraught over our meager bank account and the desire to give what I knew we couldn't afford.  The first words I read through a haze of tears were "Feed my sheep"  (John 21: 15-19) Jesus was asking Peter if he loved him and after Peter's quick assertion, Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."  And then he asked a second time.  And then a third.  God couldn't have spoken any louder.  His words cut me to my quick.

Joye, do you truly love me more than these?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Feed my lambs.

Joye, do you truly love me?

Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.

Take care of my sheep.

Joye, do you love me?

Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.

Feed my sheep.

Yes, Lord, I'll do it.  Every day show me hungry people.  Don't let me turn a blind eye.  Don't allow my heart to become hardened or overwhelmed or my vision too narrow.

44 comments:

Holly said...

Wow, how truly awesome! I love what they are doing and the bags are really cute!!

I like the Mombasa carry all. I'm not sure if I would like the purple or the green more!

Claire said...

I'd love the Bukaya Market tote. If I dont win, I'll just buy it for myself anyhow! What a great ministry! Thanks for sharing!

Morgan Paige said...

What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing your heart.

I think the market tote is great!!

Heather said...

What a great ministry they are doing over in Uganda!
The Mombasa carry-all looks great!

Kristin said...

Joye,

You have such a beautiful heart! You know that God has been breaking my heart for the people of Africa too. My husband and I had a discussion last night about what are we supposed to do as Christians, what is enough, how much is too little, and I told him that I think when God places something before us because He knows we can help, we can choose to say Yes to Him or No. If we would all say Yes, when He asks, the world would definitely be a better place.

Everyone I know has a prosperity mentality. It drives me crazy! I feel like when I talk about the orphans at bible study and how I believe we are blessed so that we can help them, I just get blank stares looking back at me. No one gets it! :( Not even my husband. I have tried and advocated for adopting and he is just not going for it. I guess I can understand.....I used to not get it either and God changed my heart. I told the Lord that if He has planned for us to adopt, He is going to have to change my husband's heart too.

I love all of their bags and what they are doing! I would probably get the tote bag.

Do you follow the Ordinary Hero blog? They just had a fabulous trip to Ethiopia and it moved me to tears, reading about it!

Natalie said...

Thank you for that last part. You are so right. I needed to hear that. Amein.

MandyE (Twin Trials and Triumphs) said...

The market tote is beautiful...as is the story...and your post. Thanks for sharing, Joye!

Stephanie said...

What a great ministry! I will probably buy a bag anyway, but I still want to enter to win! I like the purple carry all.

Weza said...

I totally get the God is breaking my heart thing. I am gearing up to post about it on my blog. I would fill your comment if I told you about it here. Suffice to say, we can all do something, we are called to do something for the hungry, the unclothed, those in need. I am impressed by the vision and the action of the Tukula ministry. And LOVE the green carry all tote, but the blue clutch took my breath away.
xxx

Rachel~Wildflower Photography Studio and Wildflower Creative said...

Lovely post, Joye! What an awesome ministry! :) I love the Bukaya Market tote. Please enter me in your giveaway. :) Happy weekend!

Smiles,
Rachel

Lara said...

Thanks so much for sharing this ministry with us! I love stuff like this!

I'm thinking the Mombasa bag you got is awesome!

sara said...

The market tote- love it. Bright and cheery.

Thank you for this post. I am convicted and inspired.

Caitlin Ostberg said...

Joye,

I absolutely adore your blog! I love hearing about your family and what God is doing in your life. I think that the Mombasa tote in green is adorable, but mostly I just wanted to say hi and that I love reading what you have to say!

Mommara said...

This takes me right back to my heart home. Jamaica I spent a couple of months there and just was broken for the people, land, and the babies. We just went and helped. Anywhere and everyone but, in the end I was ministered to so much more. It was the most "awe" ful time in my life. Next to giving birth to Jackson. I understand that right now my ministry is with Jackson but, I still yearn to go again someday. I just have to wait until he calls. What a beautiful and precious thing these two are doing.

I love the Market tote colors. Thanks for showing this site!

xoxo

{darlene} said...

"Yes, Lord, I'll do it. Every day show me hungry people. Don't let me turn a blind eye. Don't allow my heart to become hardened or overwhelmed or my vision too narrow."
How beautiful this prayer is...

Love the carry all. Love that you are bringing attention to this.....

Loren said...

Oh Joye! What precious hearts they have! What wonderful work they are doing! We are all so blessed and honestly spoiled.

Bless your beautiful heart~ I know the Lord will do amazing things in you and HE breaks your heart for what breaks HIS!

Love and Hugs to you my friend

Southern Gal said...

I haven't been here in a while. I don't know why. I was looking at older posts on my blog and saw where you had commented on my Colors post. I clicked over here and see that your heart has been broken for missions. My daughter was just discussing her mission trip to Botswana with us today. It was 4 years ago, but is still a vivid memory for her. Broken heart for a needy people. My niece is in India right now. I expect her to come home changed also. Your heart is beautiful, Joye.

The bags are gorgeous. The Mombasa in purple as a gift for my daughter would be lovely.

Anonymous said...

I love your heart.

sarah said...

I just found your blog and love it. Would love to be entered into the competition, the Mombasa bag is my pick. Be blessed as you seek Gods heart. Sarah

McClain, Candace, Brett said...

Hi!

We got to meet Joe and Melissa when my sisters and I were in Uganda this year. They are amazing and I love that you're spreading the word! I"d love to be in the drawing as well. I LOVE the Bukaya Market tote!

Elle said...

Joy thanks so much for sharing.... first of all I love that little clutch that they make... secondly I am immediately following this blog... I need to surround my life and my heart with more people who have a passion for Jesus... and finally have you heard of the book Radical by Daniel Platt... if not google it immediately. It's so convicting I can't count the times I've almost walked away from it.... but also very honest.... you can hear Daniel's heart to see the wealthy American church leave behind this American dream and to care for our sick and starving brothers and sisters in Christ and also to spread the gospel to the entire world!

Abigail Jasmine said...

What a blessing you are to blog-land! Thank you for sharing your heart and your life for our Jesus!! :) All to the glory to Him! :)

What a wonderful give-a-way!

The Mombasa bag is beautiful..they all are! :)

~* God Bless!

Emily said...

I really like the Bukaya Market Tote! Thanks for posting about this couple and their work, Joye!

Kelly said...

Thank you so much for your comments about valuing what Jesus values. It is very difficult to do that in my affluent suburban town, even as a Christian. It is a battle I fight daily as I try to raise my girls.
I've written a couple of posts about this same topic at www.suburbanvolunteermom.blogspot.com.

God bless you!

Morgan Paige said...

Thanks for your comment! yes snail mail is my favorite! :)

carissa said...

what a beautiful ministry and i love the simplicity of her calling. i think we all could get back to the basics and focus solely on following Jesus. what peace and joy that brings! i love the help that "hand-ups" will bring. you are too kind to let us win a bag! and if i don't win, i'm going to have to buy one for myself! : ) i'm praying the same prayer you are! oh, i adore the mombasa carry-all!

Missy said...

I love the Mombasa Carry all! So cute!

That first picture made my heart just melt.

Erin Leigh said...

Hey beautiful - That clutch is purty cool!

Katherine Schultz said...

WOW! Absolutely beautiful :)

I hope you are having an amazing week..

K xx

Stephanie said...

Wow! What an amazing ministry - thanks for sharing! I love the market tote.

Julie said...

Bukaya MArket Toe is beautiful! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Traci Michele said...

I heart the green Mombasa bag! Oooh would I love one!

Charity Hildebrand said...

I just found your blog and I loved this post - love your heart! We have been on this incredible journey that past 2 years finding out what it really means to follow Jesus. It has been hard and uncomfortable, but also amazing, because I feel like God is breaking our hearts for the things that break his heart! So nice to "meet" you! You have a beautiful family!


Charity

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Wow, what a moving and heart-piercing post. Just amazing. And, the bags are beautiful, too...

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Praying for their efforts...

Danielle said...

Those bags are so beautiful. I did shed some tears. Awesome Ministry! God uses us in great ways!

Lauren said...

Joye this is so wonderful and exciting! You have such a beautiful heart and I love the way you listen to the Lord and keep it tender for the things He cares for. Thank you so much for offering this giveaway too! Honestly, my favorite bag is the one you picked! :P I can't wait to see what else God is doing in your life!!

Maria Trochelman said...

What a great ministry!! I LOVE the mombasa carry-all!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the market tote! What an awesome ministry/organization. :)

And I must tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts. They are always so uplifting & beautiful. <3

Julia said...

I really enjoy your blog :-) I am a missionary in Namibia and started reading your blog a few months ago.
Unfortunately my blog is mostly in German: julia-namibia.blogspot.com

If I am the lucky winner of the african bag, I would love to have the Bukaya Market tote.

Anonymous said...

Oh wonderful Joye! I try and help where I can also..I have a family in Uganda also that working for Jesus! and then there is Sabu...So many needs huh!.. Blessing on you for trying to help them...

I love the Bukaya bag...:)

Mrs Anne said...

How amazing is this?

YOU inspire greatness my friend.

the Bukaya market tote is just lovely.

TY for this giveaway and for having such an amazing ♥.

xo

Jill said...

Beautiful post. I love the witness you are to our Father. It is an amazing day when you here God's voice...everytime.
God bless you.

PaisleyJade said...

Wow - moving alright! I love the Mombasa carry all. xox

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