I am so excited about today’s giveaway. This one is close to my heart and I can’t even write the post without tears. I’m SO excited. Just have to get that out there.
I’m a bit of a coffee addict.
Not so much that I can’t function without it.
At least that’s what I tell myself.
The truth is, I make it to the end of the day in a much better state of mind if I’ve had a cup of coffee. Or, you know, three cups of coffee. At least they’re spread throughout the day: morning, during naptime, after dinner.
What? That’s not normal?
But I tend to be a bit picky about my coffee. Not the flavor, not the roast.
I’m picky about where my coffee comes from.
I don’t want to buy coffee harvested by children or slaves. I don’t want to drink coffee that was bought from a farmer in a developing country for mere pennies, not even enough to cover the cost of production or a livelihood, and then resold to me for fifty times that prices.
I want my coffee to be grown and harvested by small farmers. I want it to be bought for a fair, set price. I want my coffee to be organic. I want it to be fair trade.
And just like every dollar I spend,
I want even my cup of coffee to make a difference.
This is why you’ll find me sipping coffee from Thrive Africa.
I love Thrive Africa. It’s a mission organization with a vision to
“disciple Believers,
equip leaders,
and strengthen the Church in Southern Africa.
We accomplish this through
AIDS prevention, pastoral development,
discipleship classes, youth camps,
mission trips, and more.”
I’m passionate about Thrive not only because of their incredibly intense and biblical purpose, but because I love the person behind the ministry.
Last summer, still in California, I was at the park with my friend Sarah and she told me I needed, needed, to read her friend Alece’s blog. She told me Alece had a story unfolding, similar to my own mother’s, and that her wisdom and grace were unspeakably profound.
As it turned out, my mom had already crossed paths with Alece. I soon discovered that Sarah hadn’t even told me the half of it.
Alece is beautiful. She’s strong. She’s eloquent. She’s transparent. She’s broken. She’s healing. She radiates love.
She shines of Jesus.
She calls her blog Grit and Glory and frequently states that it’s “mostly grit.” But as another of friend of hers said this week, she is fully of glory… so much more glory.
Alece founded Thrive Africa over ten years ago, believing that
“It all begins with leadership.
We believe strongly in the need to train next generation leaders. Launching strong, Godly leaders into all realms of society is key for true, lasting change in Africa.
With 90% of church leaders having no formal training, the Church in Africa is often referred to as being a mile wide but only an inch deep. Only a strategic transformation in leadership will turn this trend around.
It will take a revolution of God-inspired leaders to reverse the challenges of poverty, HIV/AIDS, and crime that grip this nation.”
The difference Thrive Africa has made is unquestionable–just look at these faces. Try to tell me you don’t see Jesus.
Today I’m giving away a bag of Thrive Africa’s fair trade, organic coffee (either ground or whole bean) along with a Thrive Africa travel mug.
My mug receives frequent use around here. My little boys know it’s “Mommy’s Africa cup.” Drinking coffee, from Africa, in a mug, for Africa, reminds me, often, to pray…
for this ministry
for this continent
for these people.
To enter to win the Thrive coffee and travel mug, leave a comment on this post telling me whether or not you’re a coffee drinker and if you drink it black, mostly cream or somewhere in between.
For additional entries:
- tweet it
- blog it
- Facebook it
- follow Thrive Africa on Twitter (@ThriveAfrica)
- follow Alece on Twitter (@gritandglory)
- sign up for Thrive Africa’s newsletter
- subscribe to Alece’s blog
Due to the state of the economy and like most ministries, Thrive is currently facing dire financial difficulty. They have set a goal of raising $80,000 by June 1 to pay their bills, continue AIDS prevention efforts and provide the salary for their staff. I’m convinced God isn’t done with Thrive Africa, and with their team, trust that He will provide these needs. For five extra entries in this giveaway, contribute to Thrive’s Ten Buck Tuesday and be part of God’s provision.
You MUST leave a separate comment for each additional entry, excluding the one for Ten Buck Tuesday–I will add your extra five entries if you leave me a comment telling me you contributed. The giveaway will end at 11:59pm, Monday, May 17. I will announce a winner the next day.
Together, we can honor God and make a difference. We can help Africa to thrive
Hi Ashleigh – Thanks for rootin’ for us and for your support! It’s truly a blessing have people like you encouraging others to get involved with what’s going on in South Africa.
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…and i couldn’t read this without tears!
thank you for your heart for Thrive and for me. i cherish your friendship, ashleigh. and i can’t wait to hug you—hopefully sooner rather than later!
love you, friend.
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I am definately doing to head over to her blog and find out more about Thrive! Missions like this are close to my heart….
Coffee. weak with fresh milk/cream from the cow with sugar! lol simple and sweet! =)
While I’m at it a big hug I’m sending your way from kiwi land!
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Oh, I cannot do without my morning Elixir of Life. I drink it black, no sugar.
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I have tweeted it.
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I have followed on Twitter.
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I like it with sugar and cream; I did, however, give up the cream part for Lent
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Wow, this is really neat! We buy a lot of things from Frontier, which strives to be fair-trade, and I think it’s such a great thing.
I love a little coffee with my cream. ;)
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I drink it with LOTS of cream & sugar!
… and Alece’s story made me cry. It seems like I see brokenness everwhere. And yet, there are so many evidences of the peace and power of God. :)
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I tweeted about it.
https://twitter.com/okiebelle/status/13785944568
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I follow @ThriveAfrica
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I LOVE coffee!! It’s so “wrap up in a blanket on a rainy day” type of feeling. Or on a cold day…..it’s a “warm and fuzzy” feeling….am I weird? =)
I love mine strong, but with sugar and cream….mmmmmm…….my grandmother (Abuela) makes it perfect. (Just thought I’d throw that in there)….
Olivia
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Love Coffee-and a good cause!
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I’m actually sitting here with my coffee in hand – lots of creamer for me, please!
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I couldn’t read this without being convicted and I couldn’t see the pics without tearing up! I am so excited about ordering that coffee.
I drink mine with a little light cream.
I also contributed through Ten Buck Tuesday. I hope I remember to do this every Tuesday!
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Following @gritandglory on Twitter :: @thesweetpetunia
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I adore this organization! There are a couple others that I have researched that have similar missions as well. Growing up, my church was heavily involved in Africa missions and I find anything related is so dear to my heart. Its so easy to listen to their stories as just that…stories- but organizations like this give you faces to remember and a mission to carry out. This is a fabulous cause. I love it.
I drink my coffee with cream and sugar. (well, depending on the roast- I’m not one of those “my-coffee-is-so-strong-it-makes-my-hair-grow” kinda people!) BUT I certaintly do have a love affair with my coffee. I am *not* addicated either! =)
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What a great organization!!!
Whelp, as for me – I LOVE COFFEE! I love some cream in my coffee as well. I try to limit myself to 1 cup a day, but man that’s hard!
Thinking of you guys and praying for you!!
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What an amazing story. I will click over to read more about it.
My friend’s tease me about being a “cream” drinker. It’s not coffee until it’s light tan!
Thanks.
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Ooh, oh, pick me, pick me! ;-)
I love, love coffee and drink it with enough cream to make it “cloudy” & enough sugar to take away the bitterness. :-)
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We have never had coffee from Thrive Africa before – sounds like a great business! I’ll check it out.
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I am not a coffee drinker…can’t stand it :) So of course I married into a coffee obsessed family. My husband and his parents will drink coffee any time day or night, and always BLACK. I’ve at least learned to like the smell :)
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I just found Alece’s twitter day before yesterday and then from there, clicked over to her blog. I couldn’t stop reading. Tears threatened to spill. So many of us can relate to her story in some shape or form. Though I can’t pretend to relate to such a deep level of rejection. But wow! is her testimony powerful!
Maybe I should go to her blog and post all that! :)
I love coffee. I drink it all the time when I travel, but I don’t drink it every single day when I’m home. I like it ‘doctored up’ with plenty of cream and sugar.
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I tweeted it (@kaylenelise)
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I follow Alece on twitter
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and now I follow Thrive Africa!
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my husband drinks it every day he can and he always drinks it black. Me, I drink it occasionally but it always has to be doctored with flavored creamer and some milk.
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I subscribed to her blog
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I signed up for the newsletter
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I participated in Ten Buck Tuesday !
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I follow Alece on Twitter now.
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Wow! This sounds like an awesome source for coffee! Thanks for sharing with us.
I’ve never been a black coffee person–a bit of cream and sugar is perfect!
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I follow Alece on Twitter!
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I also follow Thrive Africa on Twitter! =]
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I also subscribe to Alece’s blog on my gReader!
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Hi, Ashleigh–
I found you yesterday through Elizabeth Esther’s blog, and am so glad that I did. Not for the giveaway, which is simply icing on the cake. :)
I am glad to enter, though–I love coffee with lots of cream. I can leave the sugar.
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Tweeted it!
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FB’d it!
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All signed up with Thrive’s newsletter!
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and all that said. I love my coffee. 2 creamers, and four packets of sugar. :] Love what you are doing for Thrive! The more the merrier right! Thanks Ash!
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Lovely story. I’m a coffee addict myself. I like iced coffee unsweetened with soy milk.
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I love iced coffee!!!! Thanks for all you do.
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I adore coffee. We just got a frother so it’s usually a latte these days!
I love the idea of this business – will check them out!!
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My oh my! I’ve just made a list of “40 at 40″ and one of the things to do is be more concientious of the products I buy! Looks like I’ll be switching brands of coffee! Oh, I like it with a little sugar.
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and I’m putting it on Facebook!
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and I’m putting it on my blog – which will only get about 3 looks but hey, you never know?
Thanks for sharing this, I love knowing about opportunities to help worthy projects.
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and I donated to $10 Tuesday!
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I am madly in love with coffee!!!
Stumptown out of Portland is probably my favorite.
My personal opinion is if you can’t drink coffee black, you’re not drinking high enough quality or brewing it right =)
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I LOVE coffee! I drink it about 3/4 coffee and 1/4 cream! =) What an awesome giveaway!
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Tweeted about the giveaway too! =)
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I LOVE this coffee! And take mine light and sweet, like my hubby :-)
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I love coffee. I drink it black! When I was a little girl, I used to sip on my mother’s coffee. She always drinks her coffee black–that must be where I get it from!
I just recently learned of Alece and Thrive Africa. I am so amazed at her ministry and story.
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Oh Ashleigh, I love Alece. She is such a special, special girl… so encouraging to me. :)
I would love to enter – except for my parents! They love coffee… I don’t drink it. But they do! So, my dad drinks it black… my mom likes cream. =D
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I blogged about it!
http://mrsgriffin0711.blogspot.com/2010/05/another-fun-giveaway.html
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Also, I tweeted! http://twitter.com/inchristalone24/status/13802737407... my twitter is private, but you can request to follow me =D.
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I follow Alece on Twitter!
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I follow Thrive Africa (have followed Alece and TA for months now…)
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And, I get Thrive Africa’s newsletter!! :)
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I don’t drink coffee, but my husband does, black with sugar from fair trade, whole beans. I actually am the one that makes it for him, because he says I make the best coffee. :)
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I drink LOTS of coffee (like, I make somewhere between 6-10 cups and drink it ALL). I drink it black, but sometimes enjoy treating myself to a yummy flavored latte :) I like using my “Magic Bullet” to grind my coffee before making a pot. Thanks for the giveaway…I’ve learned a little bit about Alece from reading Gitz’s blog and have visited hers a couple times.
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I now follow @gritandglory on twitter :)
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I follow @ThriveAfrica on twitter :)
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Absolutely BLACK!! Nothing in it. Period. Loved stumbling on your blog and reading more about Thrive. I will pray for your ministry!!
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I contributed to 10 buck Tuesday :) (been thinking about doing that for a couple weeks and decided today may as well be the day :) )
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Home-made mocha’s, though this’ll be better as the coffee supporting a positive change. It addition, Thrive Africa is encouraging those I know to be involved and make a difference in the world we are all very much connected to and a part of.
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I’m “Facebooking” it. :)
I drink it with a dribble of milk, though sometimes with a little bit of brown sugar.
I like it best when it’s Fair Trade, too.
Love the look of that mug!
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p.s. I’m subscribing to Grits and Glory, too! Wow, I love her site.
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I blogged it!
http://miraclesdontbreakthelawsofnature.blogspot.com/2010/05/wonderful-giveaway.html
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I am not a coffee drinker, but a good friend of mine is. She is a former missionary and pastor’s wife, and she would LOVE this prize!!
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Hey there Ashleigh! I didn’t use to drink coffee when Aaron and Lindsay were little…but this set of Newmans…well I seem to need a little pick me up come 3 in the afternoon…not every day…just some days. I like mine all doctored up…stevia, milk, chocolate if there is any in the house! LOL! Love you girl! You have grown into such a beautiful woman! I feel blessed to have known you since you were little! I love to read your writing! I can’t remember if I shared with you or not…I came across a paper you had written for school in 1996. The paper was titled someone I admire…your mom had given it to me. You are someone I admire!!! You are such a blessing to so many women and such an encouragement. Hugs to you! Love, Jolie Newman
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Thank you for introducing me to this fantastic organization!
I drink my coffee with just a little bit of raw sugar (if we have it) and nothing else. And I like it strong and very hot!
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I follow Thrive Africa on Twitter.
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I have now subscribed to Alece’s blog, yay!
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I am subscribed to Alece’s blog. P.S. I love Grit & Glory and Alece’s openness and authenticity.
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Coffee, yes! Cream and sugar. It is very hard to drink more than 1/2 a cup right now with the all day morning sickness of baby #3; but I usually drink one GIANT mug every single morning. yum.
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I Tweeted!
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We try to buy only organic and fair trade coffee, as well! Would love to try some from Thrive Africa. I like mine with creamy raw milk and a bit of raw sugar. ;)
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I Facebooked it. How do I get you a link for that though? Not sure.
In other news, I’m kind of a coffee freak. Sometimes I truly do drink too much. I used to like all the sweet creamers and all but I’m actually kind of allergic (weird I know) to them. So I mostly use half & half or soy milk/soy milk creamer now. But I’m kind of not going to have a good day if I can’t have my coffee!
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tweeted
http://bit.ly/aEiRto
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sorry, out of order entries! I drink coffee every.single.day with flavored creamer.
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following Alece on twitter via @ShanLeAnn
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following Thrive Africa on twitter via @ShanLeAnn
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I facebooked it: http://www.facebook.com/whitewisteria
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Cream and sugar, please =) What a great way to get the word out about Thrive!
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I follow thrive Africa on Twitter!
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I follow Alece on Twitter.
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I subscribed to Alece’s blog too!
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http://kayleneonline.blogspot.com/2010/05/fun-stuff.html I blogged about it
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I love coffee, especially raspberry mochas, but drink regular coffee with milk, turning it to a caramel color.
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I followed @thriveafrica!
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I followed Alece on Twitter!
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That sounds like a great ministry. :)
I do drink coffee, and like it with cream only. Unless it’s a specialty coffee drink, then I like some flavors too.
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I followed Alece on twitter as “etsycoffee”.
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Also followed Thrive Africa on twitter (as etsycoffee)
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I am a daily coffee drinker, and like it best with half & half and sugar, or flavored creamer, like hazelnut.
What a great giveaway and your passion for this issue & these people really shines through.
God bless!
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I am a coffee addict. Not a caffeine addict, mind you…it needs to be coffee in the morning!!
I typically drink it with flavored creamer, or if I am out, a little bit of milk with sugar or stevia [I don't like fake sweeteners that make my coffee fizz!!]
I am definitely going to look closer at Thrive Africa – it looks like an awesome organization!
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Hi,
I am from another country, so I assume ineligible, plus I’m intolerant to coffee, so, with those two factors combined I’d be the worst winner, so I am hereby not entering the competition :).
I wanted to applaud your commitment to fair trade. It is something so important, to be aware of where things come from, and, where it is in our power, to make small changes that make a world of difference. Thank you for running a giveaway that helps raise awareness and encourage people to employ justice and compassion :)!
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Oh, YUM!!! I definitely drink coffee. That company looks incredible!
I drink my coffee mostly black, sweetened to tasted with Sucanat. :)
Thanks for this giveaway!
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I subscribed to the newsletter!
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And the blog! :)
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Thank you for sharing about this project.
I drink coffee, but I like it to be very milky & sweet. My husband likes his black.
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I signed up for Thrive Africa’s newsletter. Thanks.
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I am not a coffee drinker, but my Mom is a committed coffee addict :)
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I’m not a coffee drinker, but my husband is! He likes it with just cream.
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This post made me smile!1 I have had a secret desire to become a missionary for years. This was quite an inspiring post. And I would love to enter. I will aslo twitter it!!
Ginger~
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I’m a social coffee drinker – for special occasions or the mere enjoyment of a cup, curled up with a good book or productive task. I like it with a swirl of white chocolate flavor or toffee… and lots of cream. :) And I’m going to Africa this fall!
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Yes, I am a coffee drinker. I put lots of cream in my coffee!
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
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I follow ThriveAfrica on Twitter @cezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
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I follow Alece on Twitter @cezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
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I subscribe to Thrive Africa’S newsletter by e-mail
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
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I subscribe to your blog
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
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I like iced coffee
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love love Alece
love love coffee, anytime,lots of cream!
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I like 90% milk, 10% coffee
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I love my coffee with cream and equal. Sometimes I add a shot of caramel or vanilla flavor.
I follow Alece’s blog on FB, and already get Thrive Africa’s newsletter. I started praying and subscribing when my daughter went there six years ago … and returned three more summers. :)
I am counting the days when I get to hug Alece in person. Less than a month now!
I do not need a mug or coffee – I just placed an order for my own mug and the coffee we will serve at the wedding!
Just wanted to show support – by commenting!
Jean
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There is a certain irony that I am not sure whether I can enter this, since I don’t know if you ship to my country.
The reason…. I live in Africa. :-)
So I only drink African coffee, and I drink it black with sugar.
Seriously, you can’t beat African coffee.
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Oh. b.t.w. I found this post because I am a follower of Alece’s blog. I love people who are willing to come over here and get their hands dirty.
Viva Thrive Africa, Viva!
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I drink my coffee with cream and agave nectar’s flavored sweetener. (Not an overly-popular sweetener, but it’s actually very good!)
My sister, Emily (ramblinrose506) told me about your blog, and I’ve been following it for a while now; I just haven’t gotten around to commenting yet. =) I tend to subscribe to a lot of blogs, and then just read them from my feed. (Giveaways are a good way to get me to visit the blog itself :D) Your posts have blessed me muchly, and I am praying for you and your family.
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I follow Alece on Twitter =)
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…and I follow ThriveAfrica on twitter.
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…AND I’m subscribed to ThriveAfrica’s newsletter. =D
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I subscribed to your blog through my blogger account! Thanks. :)
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Oh, haven’t entered this giveaway yet! I used to drink my coffee with sugar and lots of cream, then graduated to honey and lots of cream, now it’s just lots of cream…so proud… ;)
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aaaaaaaaaannnnnddd, I subscribe to you…
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this is great!
i am a coffee drinker, and i like it black.
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I am not a coffee drinker … but I AM a coffee smeller. Nothing better than smelling coffee in the morning. So … I extra love it when my dad comes to visit so we can make coffee. :)
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Thrive is awesome!
Black and hot. No cream. No sugar. Strong.
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I could nevah evah drink plain coffee.
I think it would cause me physical pain.
I drink mine with LOTS of vanilla almond milk, and LOTS AND LOTS of sugar.
Due to my being so very mature and such.
I think Thrive may be the most amazing thing ever. I would be honored to support them<3
–Cordelia
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Following ThriveAfrica on Twitter.
SO, YAY!
–Cordelia
(and I miss you, come home)
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At first I thought you said follow @gritSandglory
and I was all wow, GRITS.
She must be Southern.
*And then I realized*
I like @gritandglory
much much better.
Just so you know.
–Cordelia
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The above was my comment for following them in case you’ve been gone so long you forgot that I say up until three a.m. with sad babies and wait until THEN to enter your giveaways—making little or no sense in process.
—Cordelia
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Thrive Africa has a new reader!
Yay!
(psst. That would be me, Cordelia)
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Subscribed to Grit and Glory.
Again, NOT Grits and Glory.
But you can see where the mistake might be easy to make at three a.m. in my addled Southern mental state?
–Cordelia :P
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What a great cause! And yes, I heart coffee – usually with a little milk, never with sugar – always every day.
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I like coffee with a little bit of cream…Yummy!
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I usually drink coffee black, but sometimes I put flavored creamer in it also
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
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I follow you on Twitter as Jennai
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
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I follow Thrive Africa on Twitter as Jennai
HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM
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i like coffee. it is delicious and makes me happy. at work and home, i drink it black. anywhere else, i usually throw some vanilla in there somewhere.
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i also already subscribe to alece’s blog…that’s how i found yours.
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I’m not a coffe drinker, btu my parents are opposite ends. Dad’s I can pour straight out the pot, Mom always has 2 teaspoons stevia and one of xylitol.
Thanks for telling us about this mission, I love the idea of coffee with a cause!
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I’m following ThriveAfrica now on twitter. :)
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Love Alece. My hero. :)
Sooo…
Cream. A luxery. But it’s for my momma. I’m not to sure how she likes it, but she adds sugar. :)
Love, Nicole.
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