August 5th, 2010 by Misty Lindsey
Art for the Nations – Ciudad Juárez
I am thankful to be an artist; I am blessed because the act of creating causes me to be thankful. If, in the midst of poverty, even in the midst of plenty, you can take time to enjoy the process of creating something colorful or pretty – something that mimics the beauty of God’s creation – I believe you will come a bit closer to knowing Christ. If you share that creative spirit surely you will be blessed.
-Lisa Ambler- founder of Art for the Nations
Creativity. Such a powerful word. Such a powerful tool. This has been our heart, our goal, our focus the past months: to bring hope and restoration, dignity and autonomy through creativity to Colonia Palo Chino, to Juárez, to Mexico.
That is why when we heard of Art for the Nations, our ears perked up. This is a nonprofit ministry out of Denver whose entire point of existence is to promote creativity all over the world, in places that a necessary focus on raw survival has stolen value from any creative pursuit. The founder and artist, Lisa Ambler, was inspired to start this program 15 years ago as she sat on a dirt road in Juárez, Mexico, creating art with the local children. Now many of those children have kids of their own. Maybe some of them are here today in our colonia, doing these same projects.
An excerpt from their mission:
We believe that the beauty and hope of our eternal salvation is evident in the world around us and pray that we can teach others to see that promise.
Thanks to the vision and generosity of Art for the Nations, we were able to bring 5 lovingly hand-painted bags filled to the brim with art supplies to our colonia to help these children learn to think creatively. It was wonderful to see their smiles, their excitement, their hope as they created beauty with their own hands. This is our desire, that through efforts like these the children and youth of Juárez will cling to hope, continue to dream and think in new ways about life and their surroundings, and stand up to creatively bring lasting change and essential peace to their home.
Be sure to check out their website, and if you are in town, go check out their beautifully creative boutique! All proceeds go toward helping them send bags all over the world.
4 Comments
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17:28 on August 6th, 2010
There really is something about the act of creating that reveals part of God’s nature which he has put in each of us –yes expressing creativity draws us closer to our creator.
Thanks Lisa Ambler and all who help with Art For The Nations for allowing God to use you to bless missionaries and those they serve. You even have little children involved in missions. How exciting. May God continue to use your ministry in ways you would have never dreamed.
19:54 on August 6th, 2010
FANTASTIC shots!! So awesome to hear how the trip is going! We’ll be praying for this upcoming week. Sending our MODlove and MODhugs!
12:34 on August 8th, 2010
AWESOME! I KNEW there had to be more Christians out there who thought like us! Miss you and the ninos! How did our art projects hold up down there?
19:41 on October 28th, 2010
I quote Madeline L’Engle from Walking on Water Reflections on faith and art, “To paint a picture or to write a story or to compose a song is an incarnational activity. The artist is a servant who is willing to be a birthgiver. In a very real sense the artist should be like Mary, who, when the angel told her that she was to bear the Messiah, was obedient to the command. I believe that each work of art, whether it is a work of great genius or something very small, comes to the artist and says, ‘Here I am. Enflesh me. Give birth to me.”
I support you both, and the spirit of the creator in you, and the vision you carry in your heart and eyes…can’t wait to be in the streets of Juarez with you and Jesus.
Blessings
Jimmy