When ordinary people offer their gifts to God in the fight against exploitation, beautiful things happen. Here's a gal I met locally who's busy with a full-time job, plus assists with her husband's business and her parent's. But Karen Dolce was open to employing her artistic talents to design a jewelry piece that would ultimately help free girls from sexual slavery. The Isaiah pendant is gorgeous. Here's the story behind it:
Me: How did you become interested fighting human trafficking? Karen: It seemed so hard to believe that human trafficking even existed today. The desire to help in some way was heavy on my heart and mind. I thought, "I may be just one person, but God can do anything. If He is putting this desire to help in me, He will make a way for me to do it."
Me: So, tell me about your jewelry.
Karen: I’ve been designing jewelry for the past 20 years. I sold my jewelry pieces in boutiques for a while and I have clients that I design jewelry for.
Me: How did you conceive the idea for the Isaiah pendant?
Karen: It was 3:00 AM in the morning and I was praying to the Lord that I was frustrated that a design idea was not coming to me. I told Him that He would have to give me the idea because I had nothing.
The design for the Isaiah pendant was created that night. The verse, “He sets captives free”, from Isaiah 61 is such a simple truth--it is only God who can truly set us free from any and all bondage. [The inside of the pendant is inscribed with this verse.]
I also wanted it to be beautiful and timeless, somewhat unusual and a conversation piece to assist in telling others about the injustice of human trafficking.
Me: I think you've succeeded! Is there a specific project the pendant will benefit?
Karen: Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from the Isaiah pendant will go to an aftercare home for girls who've been sex trafficked in Mumbai, India, run by International Justice Mission. IJM rescues human trafficked peoples in third world countries and this aftercare home is the first of many IJM would like to open throughout India.
Me: How can people purchase your jewelry?
Karen: I now have a website, which I am very excited about: www.heavens-rain.com
