Last fall, she was complaining about wanting to be passionate about her work. So, being the good friend I am (ha, ha!) I put my thinking cap on and tried to figure out Kim's passion. Isn't it nice to have friends like me? I'm kidding! Anyway, I have known Kim a long time and I knew she had always had an interest in owning a store, either with bed and bath linens or some other home decor items. I also knew that she felt there was a need for a bakery in our town. During my August trip to Kenya, I met some missionaries who were partially supported by a store called Back to Africa Store, based in Niceville, Florida. I started thinking about Kim. When I returned home, I approached her with my plan for her passion...again, ha, ha! (Disclaimer**I love talking about Africa, but I try not to be annoying about it. I usually wait until I'm asked!**) My proposal went something like this: Kim, I think you should either consider opening a bakery in Coppell or an online store with eventually a storefront selling home decor items and give all of the profits to Africa, namely Kenya, and even more specific possibly the Virginia Home?
She dismissed the bakery idea fairly quickly, didn't really want that kind of responsibility and cost of an immediate storefront, but I could see a bit of spark regarding the online store. I don't think it was a coincidence that she was planning a trip to see her grandmother the very next week to of all places...Niceville, Florida! She visited the Back to Africa Store showroom while she was there, and talked with the nice and helpful ladies, and the spark was igniting! Alas, within a month, the idea of The Burlap Heart was born!
The Burlap Heart online store will go live next month. Kim has selected items directly from Kenya as well as some handmade items from her own two talented hands (and the hands of some very talented friends) to feature at The Burlap Heart. She will be giving the profits to the Virginia Home in Nakuru, Kenya for such things as new uniforms, playground equipment, and who knows what else God has planned! It's exciting! She will be having an Open House, May 8th and 9th to showcase all of the wonderful items she has found (or have found her). You should stop by!
It's been fun watching her passion grow. When I approached her in the fall, I didn't know what would happen. I mean, I've been passionate about Kenya for over a year, but I know that it's not for everyone. Her love for home decor items was already there and the excitement of the online store was definitely fun, but Africa? Why Africa? She was intrigued because Africa was so important to me, so she decided she needed to check this place out. She not only jumped right in with both feet, but she took the ball and ran with it, and SHE SCORED! She came to me the other day with some exciting ideas for the Virginia Home in the next year. Stay tuned for those! She will be raising money for these ideas, but all of us really need to support The Burlap Heart (and get some cute new things in the process) because that is more money to help these precious faces:
For details to Kim's Open House, send me a message. I'll be there for sure (I'm her best worker!) and we can talk about Africa if you want! Incidentally, so many people have asked me two things this past year: How can I help and/or when can I go? This summer, probably in July, we will hosting an evening to discuss both questions. I am hopeful my friend, Tom Stickney of African Christian Outreach, will join us. Would love to see you there!
Let's continue to watch Kim and her igniting passion together! You go girl!
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