Groveland Twp.- Unique gifts from around the world will be for sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 6 at Bueche’s Food World, 400 Ortonville Road.
Faith White, a Goodrich resident and assistant pastor at Goodrich Assembly of God, worked as a missionary with Work and Witness from 1997-2004, traveling to Peru, Argentina, Kiev in the Ukraine, Russia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Ghana. In each place White visited, she bought treasures made by artisans in each country. These items include many native wood carvings, artifacts, handmade dolls, carved wooden eggs, hand painted pictures and more. Her purchases helped supported the poor workers, and now, she will sell the items to benefit people in need here.
‘I enjoyed them, but basically, there are people in need here, and especially at Christmas, if people are looking for unusual gifts, they can get some of the joy I received,? White said.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit a couple local families in need, as well as Life Challenge, formerly Teen Challenge, a rehabilitation program for at-risk people started in New York by David Wilkinson, who ministered to gangs in New York. The ministry is now worldwide, with a Flint chapter, and White says people who finish the 1-year program have an 85 percent chance of success in overcoming addictions to drugs, alcohol and more.
White will have close to 75 items for sale, ranging from about $15 up to $300 for a handcarved wooden egg from Russia that is handpainted.
‘The workmanship is beautiful,? White said. ‘If you are looking for unusual Christmas presents that are authentic, I just ask you to pray for the people who made them. No matter how poor we are in the U.S., we have no understanding of (the poverty) there. We are rich beyond measure and need to be thankful. These are gifts that will keep on giving.?