Amani Ya Juu

At the very start of this business venture, God laid on my heart a specific purpose to which He wanted me to work for. A cause that could turn this talent that I was given into a greater purpose for His kingdom.

I always asked God, "Why would you give me such a strange talent? Something like fashion seems so vain sometimes. What in the world am I supposed to do with sewing that helps other people and doesn't lose it's purpose at patching holes in my kids clothes and fixing a button here and there?" Let me just tell you, I finally listened to God's answer and it hasn't left the "front burner" of my mind since.

http://www.amaniafrica.org/ is the website for the organization that I feel God wants me to get involved with. It is called Amani Ya Juu. Check it out.

Passion

My heart is excited for Africa. I know I'm small, I'm one person, one tiny person that has only a slight and probably very skewed view of a country that is in need of assistance. I have learned so much recently about my thoughts toward Africa, and how there is no way anybody in this world can help that continent, because we want to "fix them". That's wrong. Hearing stories from those that have gone over there, they meet amazing people there - people that are passionate about changing Africa for the better. It is not our job to go there and impose what we think needs to be done, what we think is right, it's our duty to give assistance in what they need.

Even though I am small, just one person, with one small skill, I know I'm still able to help. This past year has taught me that really, my life is not about me. It's about serving a God that so lovingly made me and forgave me. It's about loving others, and giving of myself and my talents to benefit others. Check out this song, it speaks to me.

Set the World on Fire - Britt Nicole
I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for You
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I am small, butYou are big enough
I am weak, but You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There's nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father's hands

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

Ransom Wear

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." - Lao Tzu

Ransom Wear kind of nailed this saying on the head for me. I had never been able to apply this to my life, or to something that I've been involved in. Now I feel as though God has really defined my passion for people, and taught me how I could use the gifts He has given me. It's funny how you can hear something your whole life, but until it applies directly to you, it kind of just blows over.

Anyway, go check out www.ransomwear.org. This is another organization that I will be supporting. Check out their story, and the video in the about us seciton, specifically.

Africa

This past week at our church was Art Sunday. It is the day where people in the church donate art to benefit missions within the church. We have done this twice, and sent teams to Uganda, to a village we are going back again and again to help. A couple that has lived in Africa and done missions there (not in the specific village we are working with, however) for years was interviewed. And the minute the wife of this couple began speaking, was when God nailed it in my heart. The pieces are coming together. She actually works as a liason for an organization that does exactly what has been on my heart: teaching women how to sew, to empower them to provide for their families and give them better lives. Everything began stirring in me, and I'm stoked to see what happens with this.

James Jaggard Photography

Thanks James for hooking me up with some sweet photos. Here are some pictures from the first official photo shoot (outside of a wedding) on one of my gowns.

Welcome

Welcome to the blog for Ania. I will publish as much as I have time for to keep everyone up to speed on what I'm up to.

A little background. Ania began as a dream, something to be hoped for, when I was only a senior in high school. I loved weddings, and I loved sewing, and this evolved into my passion for custom designing wedding gowns.

I feel like I have had the, "Been there, done that" experience with school and a pretty high rolling career up until the end of last year. The only thing I had no peace about was the fact that I'd never just gone for it - my dream of Ania. If ever I thought about it over the last five years, I was too scared, not motivated enough, or it just wasn't the right time. Until a couple of weeks ago.

God has lined everything up wonderfully, and continues to do so. The right amount of encouragement at the right time, the right amount of fabric for a sample dress, generous friends who offered a space for me to use as a studio for free, or who did free photos, friends who offered to help me write up concrete contracts and review business plans. Not to mention the right and sincere motives I needed to get going at a good pace.

Welcome to my dream. I can't wait to show you around.