We Are Getting Closer to Launch!

A few months back we shared with you about our new leather line that will be launching soon!
Well, this past month we had the privilege of hosting Angel, one of our MARKED partners, again to help oversee the project.

These past few months, the moms have been working on practicing sewing straight lines, cutting and measuring.

This week they showed off their new skills, practiced more under the supervision of Angel, and they began putting their first few bags together.

Though these won’t be for sale for a little while longer, we are exited for what the future holds for our mamas and our leather line!

This first bag will be named, The Marisela. After Mari who has been hard at work perfecting her craft.

We cannot wait for more community members to learn the craft of sewing to help provide sustainability for their families and future generations.

Gardens, Gardens and More Gardens

One of the most exciting things that has taken place over the summer is that our community is learning how to grow their own garden? 🌱

Not only how to grow, but how to compost, harvest the seeds and replant.

We had the privilege of hosting Operación Bendición for a few months while they studied the local agriculture and then helped teach our staff how to best serve the community in the ways of gardens. We planted what we know they use, but also what grows best in the region.

Everyone from the moms, to dads and kids in the community got involved. It has brought excitement in a new and a fresh way! And we too couldn’t be more excited.

We now have multiple sections throughout our base and community center filled with fresh garden goodies! 🥒🥕🌶🌽🌱🌾 Though we have already begun to harvest certain items, we cannot wait for the bounty that lies ahead!

What is in your garden this summer?

Did you know?

Over the next few weeks on our social media platforms you may see a “Did you know?” caption that starts out the post like the one i’m going to post below. We thought it might be helpful to have you meet some of our staff, learn more about our programs, as well as learn some statistics of what we are working to change.

We hope you find these posts helpful and even educational.

We hope they help you feel empowered to engage in our story a little bit more.

Here is one of those posts:

Did you know?

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"Sicaritos are children who are assassins, 13 or 14 years old typically. The cartels give them a weapon to use. It's easier for a boy. If he's older, he thinks too much — he may think about the consequences. But when you're young, you think you can take on the world."*

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But did you know that by partnering with MARKED you are helping change this?

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Say YES to partnership. Say YES to a future.

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You see the region we work is targeted for situations much like the statement above. But through our programs, we are giving new opportunities like this one right here. Carpentry. We have partnered with a local company who is committed to helping us change this statistic. Giving opportunity to learn how to build and create. To dream again. And to hope for their future.

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This is the face of hope.

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This is the face of transformation.

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#SourceNPR* #transformation #change #bethechange #endabuse #mentorship #life #endsuicide #sayyes #partnership #orphans #nolonger #adopt #savelives #family #wholeness #empower #sustainability #transformation #impact

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!!

IMAGINE | THE CONFERENCE
AUGUST 17 2019

WE CULTIVATE A GLOBAL COMMUNITY AND CONNECT YOU WITH OTHER LIKE MINDED INFLUENCERS WHILE RECORDING AND RELEASING NEW EP’S. WITH 3 DAYS OF COMMUNITY AND TRAINING, WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE COULD HAPPEN?

THIS YEAR WE WILL BE IN NASHVILLE, TN! CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND WORSHIP, INTENTIONAL SESSIONS, PANELS AND EXCLUSIVE Q&A’S WITH LEADING VOICES.

AUGUST 17, 2019 

(INCLUDED IN PACKAGES) STARTING AT $29
WITH MORE TO COME,
SOME SESSIONS INCLUDE:

Creativity In Business — Creativity In The Marketplace

Musicians & The Band — Learning To Play Beyond Yourself

Song Writing — Melodies, Lyrics, Hooks and More

Writers & Poets — Poetry that moves the heart

Digital Arts/Design — Leading In a Digital Age

Creativity in Culture - How Creativity Transforms Culture

Power of Connection - A Culture Of Family NOT Family Business

MANY MORE!!!

More info or to get your ticket: https://www.resurgentsound.com

Summer Courses

We LOVE Summer!!! I know we have said that before! But genuinely we do.

This past week we did a “soft launch” of our summer classes, but before word got out, we wanted to see how many kids would show up when “nothing” was planned. And show up, they did! When our staff arrived Monday morning, there were 84 little faces waiting for them to simply hang out. What the kids didn’t know was that we would be breaking them into groups and hosting the first day of “camp” so to speak.

This summer we are partnering with the city of Poncitlán to host courses all summer long. Everything from science to sports, “ethics” aka Bible to music. The kids will daily get to spend a 2 hour window with us, with a hearty and healthy snack included.

We cant wait to see what the weeks bring, and how many more kids show up as soon as word hits the street!

Happy Summer!

They Ran Home

A few weeks back the city of Poncitlán put on a 12k and for the first time, our community showed up. Of a race of 83 people from all over the state, 43 of our community members registered.

All ages, from our elementary students to our older mamas. It was incredible. Their goal, to finish “running home” however long it took. Where most of the professional runners struggled running the rough roads, and the crumbling rocks as they ran down hill, our community members were in their element. The same road they walk daily, this day, they ran together and they succeeded. A couple of our boys from our soccer team ranked 2nd and 3rd place! But the greatest accomplishment was that everyone finished. Some on their own, others hand in hand. It was beautiful. Their faces at the finish line were beaming with pride. They made it home.

Summer Rhythm

Who doesn’t love the summer?

For us summer is a time to slow down, recalibrate, and spend lots of our time around the table. Whether the “table” be in someones home, one of our bases, or on the street, it is a time where we intentionally connect with those around us as many are home for the summer or on vacation. Programs though still in full swing look different simply because people linger longer. No where to run off to, so we sit, have coffee, pull out the games and stay a little longer.

What do your summers look like? Are they busy? Or is this too a time where you slow down and enjoy the moment? We hope whatever it may look like, you are enjoying every bit of it with those you love.

Happy 4th of July & Thank you

Though we don’t celebrate down south, for all our American friends and family we wanted to wish you a Happy 4th of July! We hope your weekend was filled with friends, family, BBQ, swimming, fireworks and many memories made!

As many have probably seen, our area has been in the news a lot lately. From crazy storms (5 feet of hail!) to flash flooding, in addition to an escalated amount of crime. Thankfully overall, our Marked communities have been safe. We have made some pre-cautionary decisions and have an active plan for emergencies, but we cannot overemphasize the power of prayer we have experienced this past month.

We cannot THANK YOU enough for standing with us in prayer and covering our communities! Please continue to pray for our cities and nation!

*Photos from Mexican news sites 

Let's play a game! And you could win!

Often you hear from us, but did you know we also LOVE hearing from you!

So lets play a game:

We want to know a little more about our community and those that partner with us or simply follow along.

So at some point this week, would you reach out? Send us an email or facebook message with the subject “Let’s play a game”, or find this post on instagram and comment with answers to these 4 questions!

1. What’s your name?

2. How did you hear about us?

3. Where are you from?

4. And what do you do for a living? Or something you do for fun?

Thats it! Simple right? You never know, we may just pick someone to win Marked merchandise as well!

Can’t wait to hear from you!

A Solution to the High Levels of E-Coli

This has been an exciting month and a half for us, as we have had the privilege of hosting Operation Blessing (Operacion Bendicion Mexico) out at our village bases. They along with our team have been hard at work tackling two main projects. The first being nutrition and putting in a community garden (more to come on that soon) as well as a water purification project.

They have come in with their staff and tested all the water throughout the communities we reach. Both in homes, schools and at our bases. Through their testing they have found that we have some of the highest levels of E-Coli they have on record.

Though we are not surprised by that, we are working together to find a solution.

This week, they installed 4 drinking fountains throughout the community. One at each of our bases and one at two separate local schools. The system will work off of rain water, and will go through a multiple filtration process before being purified.

We will use the non-purified clean water for washing dishes while we will use the purified water for everyday drinking and usage.

Our hope is that as we educate and introduce the community to clean water we will once again begin to see a healthier community as a whole.

If you would like to be apart of our water project, you can make a donation here. Every penny helps.

You Can Help Shift Culture for Just $16

Marked Coffee  exists as a part of the broader Marked Community. Being a justice-based organization, with a mission to break cycles of poverty among the orphan community and those that are at risk in Latin America through a model of empowerment. With every bag sold we move one step closer towards our dream of emptying orphanages by creating sustainability and empowering lives. Our call is to the lost and broken, our heart is for the orphaned and forgotten, our cry is for family and our mission is wholeness that breaks cycles.

If you study the culture and history of gang violence, and read up on the stats of those joining daily, it is alarming. But if you dig deeper, search for the root, and find the starting place in many of the hearts, you find hope. 

You will find that many joined their gang/banda/cartel, not because that little boy or little girl always dreamed of being a member as a child, but because they had no place to belong, their family had no other option because it was the only "trade" in their town, they were sold to put food on the table or they were working the field and found themselves witnessing something, giving them the option life+serve or death. Generation after generation they were groomed that this is the only way to exist. 

We believe we can change that. We are already beginning to see the transformation in the communities that we reach, and Marked Coffee is just one of the ways we see these communities transformed. When you purchase coffee, you are empowering transformation. You are giving hope to a child that there is another way, you are providing meals to families so that they don't have to sell their child(red), and you are preventing child labor because the parents are the ones now with the jobs. Meaning, children stay in school, families stay together, while we work to see wholeness brought to their lives. Hope is restored, and a new normal emerges. Breaking the cycles that were before us.  

We are hopeful. We can see past the current state. We see the transformation rising. Will you be apart? 

 The details: 

Marked Coffee: Chiapas, Mexico, Light-Medium Roast. Notes of dark cherry, brown sugar, and winter spices. 

Each bag is freshly roasted on the first Tuesday of every month and will be shipped in a store safe bag with freshness preserving vents. 

Monthly subscriptions are available with free shipping!

Wholesale also available!! 

Order: Marked.org/store  

Follow us on instagram: @markedcoffee 

We are Seeing Transformation Before our Eyes.

A couple weeks ago, I (Jaclyn), sat out in our field as the sun set. As I sat watching the kids play, I heard the Lord speak so softly to my heart. Do you remember? Do you remember the first time you stepped foot on this land? Do you remember the violence, and the fear that was so evident throughout? Do you remember how desolate it was? And how dark the nights were?

And then I heard Him say, but do you see what I did when you prayed? Do you see that for every prayer you've prayed, I was quick to answer? I sat there and went down the list of the specific prayers I had prayed, and saw how everyone of them had come to pass.

You see, our field HAS been used for torment and terror. It HAS been a place where drugs and lives HAVE been sold and taken. But today, I sat back and I watched redemption reign. I heard the sounds of littles running up and down the field. Children on the swings and climbing up and down the slides. I watched as the soccer balls were kicked back and forth and rather than everyone quickly dispersing as the sun set. They stayed. They were calm, filled with joy, they felt safe. They were home.

Sweet, sweet redemption. They are home.

I love how the Lord restores things. I love how a simple prayer filled with faith changes the atmosphere. I love that through example and dreams mindsets are changing. That the desire for more is happening. And more than all, I love that nothing is too far gone that cannot be redeemed.

This is transformation.

Kids Day 2019 Recap

We cannot start this note with anything other then first thanking a few incredible groups and individuals who made Kid’s Day 2019 happen. First of all, our team, you went above and beyond. To Rachel, who helped organize and oversee the day! To Lincoln school, and all the many volunteers who gave hours out of their day to come and serve. To Origen, Mapfre and all the individuals who provided over 2,500 balls (one for each child) and hot dogs. To the local government for our tents and spending time out of your busy schedule to come and be with our kids. And to our incredible key partners for once again making the day possible through your partnership in giving.

Thank you. Together we are shaping a generation.

For those of you who don’t know, three times a year (Kids day, Back to School and Christmas) we host events that honor and celebrate those choosing to attend school. It is our simple way to show the community just how important it is to educate your children. And that opportunities arise for your children (and their futures) when you choose to educate rather than sending them to work at the young age of 8. So for us, Kid’s Day , is one of those days.

We started the day early, arriving as the sun was coming up, prepping for the day ahead.

At 9am our first group arrived. We welcomed them in via a large stage where we had live music, and a group of students from Lincoln school dancing and inviting them into the party. The kids then split and could go anywhere on the field and basketball court. There were 19 different stations the kids could choose from with volunteers ready to assist.

Our stations consisted from soccer to basketball, relay races, duck duck goose, tug a war, dodgeball, bouncy houses and more. The favorites of the day hands down were musical chairs, face painting and pop the balloon.

Our last group left around 4:00pm, and with each group that left they were given their own ball to take home.

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The kids, parents and teachers alike were so thankful for another opportunity made possible by Marked and its partners, and we simply cannot thank you enough for once again saying yes to these kids, our communities, and their future.

For more videos and photos from Kids Day, check out the highlights on our instagram page @hellomarked

One year.

Just the other day, I was looking through old pictures and planning my upcoming trip when I realized this past week marked my one year back to Mexico.

One year of incredible trips. One year of building new relationships and deepening the old. One year of jumping in with both feet knowing that every trip brought significant increase, but required unmovable faith.

This year has brought a year of expansion and connection like no other. A year Marked by His goodness and faithfulness. A year that will forever be etched in my mind as a year that transformed me from the inside out.

This week, I am back, celebrating kids day, but slightly feeling like this is a big party celebrating that what was tried to be used against us, God once again used it for good.

If you are on instagram this week, follow along, or check out our stories of this years kids day 2019! Can’t wait to share more with you in the weeks to come!

-Jaclyn

• Scroll through pictures below.

Easter break turned into a Campout

What a fun couple of weeks we have had!

In Mexico, we celebrate Holy week as well as Easter meaning most everyone has 2 weeks off of school and even some have work off throughout the country. For us at Marked, it means our weeks are busier. Filled with more kids, more hours, but also more fun.

Our rockstar team decided it would be fun to not only do their regular routine, minus a few, but also host a few “camp-outs” at their house throughout the weeks.

The first weekend of break, our directors hosted the sweet and spunky girls from our girls home. Where they spent the weekend hanging out, eating and running around their house. It was a packed house surrounded by some of the girls we love most. We celebrated one of the girls baby showers, all the while their director and team began getting their new ‘temporary’ house set up and moved in for when they returned.

Meanwhile, over at our village coordinators house was a house full of teen girls from our villages. They too spent most of their weekend seated around the table, sharing stories and having meals together. Such a contrast to this week.

After drop off, pick up happened and we swapped girls for boys! Our soccer team + plus a few, camped out in our directors lawn. Played games, visited the local town and simply had ‘bro time’. Half the week the boys spent with Karlisa at their house, while the other half of the time was spent helping Carlos build a wall at Origen church in the city where our offices are. Did I mention we also had some kids detoxing during this time?

Our directors and coordinators are our heroes, and the best part of it all was they said “honestly our hears are so full.”

These kids are gifts to us, and we are thankful for every moment we have together. Weeks like these are marking weeks, significant in not only their lives but ours, and we don’t take a moment of this for granted. Thank you to everyone of you who say yes to partnering with us, and making weeks like these possible. You are championing something great.

Miracles.

Happy Easter weekend! We hope your weekend is filled with family, friends and those you hold dear to your hearts. That memories would be made, and miracles would happen. 

Here is our own miracle story from this week. 

Over the past month we had noticed that week after week one of our boys had not been showing up for meals, for soccer, or for any of the special events. As we continued asking around they kept telling us that he was just sick. So last week, Sam, our Village coordinator decided to stop by his school to see if he was there and find out what was going on. To his surprise, the teacher informed him that ‘M’ had been out all month. 

“All month?!” Sam, decided then he needed to go visit ‘M’ to see what was going on. Because none of us knew where ‘M’ lived, Sam went door to door until finally he reached his house. Upon arrival, Sam was met with devastating news. 

‘M’ was dying. 

The family informed us that ‘M’ had been in the city all month in the hospital, getting test after test ran, with no resolve. This typically strong, full of life, energetic 12 year old, now laid on his family’s bed in the fetal position. Weighing no more than a 6 year old, frail, in excruciating pain, delirious, and no longer recognizing those he loved. His precious body was shutting down. 

Sam gathered the family, and began to share about the resurrection power of Jesus. Together they held hands, and prayed over ‘M’, that he would not die but live. And that he would be healed in Jesus name. 

As Sam got ready to leave he let the family know he would be by every day to bring them food to eat and to pray with them until they saw a miracle.  

The NEXT DAY, Sam arrived at the home with a meal for the family and to everyones surprise the family greeted him and said “come in and see ‘M’”! He was up moving about the house, talking to everyone, and had full color back in his face. Everyone was shocked. His body was coming back to life. 

The following day, before Sam even arrived at their door, he saw ‘M’ outside PLAYING! Playing!! 

‘M’ was completely HEALED. 

Be encouraged this Easter weekend, that God’s not dead but alive and desires to show you His   intense love, His unwavering mercy, and His infinite power. That He is for you. 

If you need a miracle in your own life, or in the life of someone you love, we are praying for you this week. That you would see the goodness of the Lord. 

Happy Easter. 

Days for Girls.

A few months back, we noticed one of our girls was regularly missing classes and activities every month for about a week, and then would appear the following. We decided to stop by her home and ask her mom where she had been. Her response was something to the extent of “she has the family curse that has been placed on all the women in our family. For about a week every month she bleeds, but the weird thing is, is that it stops and she doesn’t die. It has happened to the women of our family for generations.”

That simple statement lead to us asking more questions, only to find out that family after family were unaware of a menstrual cycle. Unaware of how you got pregnant and unaware of the regular workings of the female body.

Heartbroken for the generations of women in our villages that stayed silent, simply because they were afraid that people would know (think) they were “cursed.”

Our team began brainstorming and discussing how we could approach the topic without breeding shame, when a representative from Days for Girls reached out to come and share among our communities.

A few weeks later we agreed to partner with Days for Girls to host a 3 week class on menstrual care and the female body. Their mission: to turn periods into pathways. Increasing access to menstrual care and education by developing global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigmas and limitations for women and girls. Beautiful right?

Next, was who we were to invite. We sat down with our team and complied a list of women who we knew among the community that would trust us with this topic, but also who has influence with their neighbors to begin to teach and speak into the situation at hand, and encourage them to come to future classes.

The ladies filed in one by one. Until the last of the chairs were filled.

We received such great feedback from our first class and cannot wait to see how this simple class transforms not only their lives but an entire region in the months and years to come.

Thank you, Days for Girls, for investing in our community.

How Are The Homes (Orphanages)?

It has been awhile since we last updated you on our homes. Due to the nature of the children’s situations and the different homes having different guidelines we often don’t get to post much about them.

But just because we can’t post doesn’t mean we aren’t spending time weekly in each of them.

People often still ask, are these your homes? And the answer is no. We partner with existing homes (orphanages) throughout the state of Jalisco to see that each of the homes and their children succeed to the best of their abilities. Each home gets a custom program based off their greatest needs. Each year we sit down with the directors and have an annual review and evaluation which means some of our homes simply receive extra hands to help, while others receive tutors, protein and produce, Bible classes, mentorship, respite and more.

We work hard in partnership with these homes to see them succeed, but more importantly to see the children thrive.

Math classes with Ms. Jacque

Often, more times than not, once a child leaves the home due to aging out or other more unfortunate circumstances, we are the first they reach out to. The connection our team makes with the children is so vital to their long term success. Knowing that they have a connection to the “outside world”, that is a positive influence and who is on their side is often what keeps them from being another statistic on the street.

We love these kids fiercely and are forever grateful for the directors and homes for allowing us to pour into their kids, and simply be another example of what healthy love looks like.

Want to meet the kids and hear their stories first hand? Come visit us in Guadalajara! You are always welcome.

New Things Coming

It has been a busy couple of weeks for us as we have been dreaming, scheming and planning alongside our latest partners, Pink Ever After.

Pink Ever After is an online store based out of east Tennessee whose mission is fueled by their passion to give.

Their owners, Whitney and Seth Coyler joined Jaclyn and the Marked team this past week in Guadalajara along with another long-time Marked Partner, Angel to create something incredible.

Every day, the Coyler’s went above and beyond to sow generously into our communities through our mission of empowerment in the form of sustainability.

We spent our days driving, visiting with shop owners, and learning the stories of the mamas, whose lives are about to radically change because of this East Tennessee company and a stay at home mama from Seattle.

Though this trip was preliminary in nature, WOW was it successful.

While in Guadalajara, Pink Ever After purchased Marked TWO leather sewing machines, and a whole lot of leather tools, while Angel gave of her time in creating and developing patterns for our new leather line!

We are just blown away by the generosity and heart of our partners once again. Dreaming big along side of us, and putting tools in our hands and the hands of our communities. We could not be more grateful.

Though we are a few months out from any launch, we cant wait to take you along the journey.

Nutrition Classes with B.E.S.T

For a while now we have been discussing with our team the goal of introducing nutrition classes to our community center location with these goals in mind:

That the classes would be:

1. nutritious

2. cost effective, that they can make the recipe at home on a tight budget

3. it can easily be modified to add protein when available

4. educates

5. and that they have fun while doing it

And today we believe we did just that.

Thanks to our friends at B.E.S.T Academy, they sponsored the entire day. From early morning shopping in the market, meal planning, to having their nutritionist and staff come along, they prepped, purchased and taught the class to our first group of mamas.

Today, they made a vegetarian “tinga” with shredded onions and carrots, sautéed with spices and a tomato sauce put over a tostada with avocado. Even 6 months ago I don’t think many would have even tried the recipe, but today we sat around the island as each enjoyed what they had created.

Miss Rosa

Miss Rosa and Ms. Kat then took time answering questions and dialoging about other recipes they would like to learn how to modify, and we set another date on the calendar for the next class.

We are so thankful for B.E.S.T Academy and all they have done and continue to do to pour into our communities through education and heart.

Thanks, B.E.S.T Academy!