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Hello I’m Charlotte Bumbulis and I have recently become a consultant for the CLC on our new fair trade initiative called Good News Goods. The last few years, God has been transforming my world view by opening my eyes to a hurting and broken world, and by burdening me with a passion to be an active part of His healing Kingdom vision. I taught elementary music 5 years but consistently yearned for something more. Thus, a new door has been opened…

My journey with Fair Trade began last November when Trade As One (our supplier) hosted a market at my church, First Baptist, Austin. Of course, I was curious about the exquisite product before me, but I was ruined by the stories I read and the faces I saw. These were no longer mere products to purchase for my self-gratification, but rather a way to live missionally and in solidarity with the exploited, marginalized people of the world who created these products. I realized how detached I was from the things I bought.  I had no idea who made my clothes or food. Furthermore, I was ignorant of how they were treated and paid for their work.

About 2 months later, I was contacted by Shelton Green to launch one of the first Good News Goods trading posts. I was only a lay person, but I desperately wanted to be involved with this new initiative somehow. In February I opened our church’s first trading post. At this same time, a conversation began with Suzii Paynter about transitioning out of the world of public education and into this new world of biblical justice. In June I took on this exciting new role helping to launch this innovative initiative at the CLC. I am here now to educate Texas Baptist churches about their purchasing power, and equip them with a better spending alternative—Good News Goods. In the coming months you will hear more from me about how you can make your church a place to buy redemptive products.

In closing I’d like to leave you with a Franciscan Blessing:

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

“May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort  them and to turn their pain into joy.

May God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

And, may the Blessing of God, who creates, redeems, and sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more.

Amen”

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