Matthew 25:40 (and some fabulous jewelry!)

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:40

Every once in a while, we stumble upon something that inspires. That uplifts. That shows the goodness of humanity.

This is one of those things.

I met Nancy when I taught her children, but I didn't really know much about her amazing story until this past year.

I'll let you read about it in her own words...

While on a mission trip to Mexico 9 years ago, I met a then 15-year-old girl hanging around the park waiting for her mother. Her name was Patti, she went and stood beside me and with leftover wire the women had been using for crafts, Patti stuck a piece of wire in her mouth and out came a beautiful flower. I recognized there was something special about that flower, went and got an interpreter and suggested that Patti try to make jewelry.

That was 9 years ago. Today Patti, her brother and aunt are creating beautiful one of a kind jewelry, not with their teeth but with jewelry making tools, spools of wire, and beautiful gemstones.


It was not only my dream that Patti would never go hungry, but that she would improve the quality of her family’s lives. By selling her jewelry, learning a trade, working hard, and by being an example and serving their own people in the community, they have definitely achieved this dream.

With the sales of the jewelry, they have first of all been able to feed their families. They have bought a stove for their parents. They have purchased an old car, which many don't have, so it has basically been used for a taxi, especially for the elderly in the community.

They paid for their grandfather’s funeral. They put new bathrooms in their elderly grandmother’s home and aunt’s home which previously were using dangerous outhouses.

Old...

and new...

They paid for two of their brothers’ weddings and Patti was able to get a new guitar. She gave her old one to a cousin who wanted to learn and now Patti gives lessons to others in the church. Most importantly, Patti graduated last month with a degree in Industrial Engineering. Her sister-in-law is now in college.


It is my vision that Patti will be able to help all the young people in her family go to school. At a very early age, they have to pay for their education and if they can't there is nothing for them to do.

She told me that they loved me because for the first time I gave them hope. I have been way more blessed than they ever thought about being! There is no other way to put it but that this whole project has been a God thing, I couldn't have dreamt it up and I have been way more blessed then them! I went on a mission trip and came home with a full time job!

We might not be able to change the world but helping one person has certainly changed many lives in one community.


Isn't that an incredible story?!

Nancy has a plaque in her house that says...

"Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up."

She has really lived that out and the result is Ana Patricia Jewelry. Take a look at these gorgeous pieces...










Seriously, I want all of it! Patti and Jon are exquisite artists!

And Ana Patricia has added purses and other accessories to help benefit the families in Mexico as well - they are all fabulous!

Tonight I am headed to their holiday open house and I can't wait to see all of the new pieces they brought back from their trip in November!

If you are interested in more about Ana Patricia Jewelry, you can become a fan on their Facebook page or shoot me an e-mail (link in the right-hand column) and I can provide you with contact information!

Or better yet, if you are in our area, head to the open house today!

Nancy, you are an inspiration and a perfect example of doing what you can to help! God bless you!