Melissa Reagan, designer of the Life Collection, recently shared her story with us…
I lost my mom at the age of 25 and then in 2005, my dad began to be very sick. In the midst of walking through his last days with him, I felt God comforting me in my current sorrow but at the same time turning my eyes to the future to see that my life would go on.
And it did go on, to a place I had dreamed of and prayed for for over 7 years—Jerusalem.
Six months later, I left my comfy job, sold most everything I had and got on a plane to Israel. I didn’t really know what was waiting for me on the other end of the flight; I just knew that God said to go, so I went.
Six months after I arrived He led me to Bridges for Peace, a worldwide ministry Headquartered in Jerusalem. I joined them as a volunteer graphic designer in April, 2006.
Being a volunteer, I had to support myself in other ways, like freelance design. I was in the States for a visit last fall and met with some of the DaySpring team. While we brainstormed products, the Hebrew word for “life” (chai) kept invading my thoughts.
Armed with that thought, I returned home to Jerusalem and began to work through concepts and ideas.
I suddenly looked around and realized that I was surrounded by many different nations, tribes and tongues— Hebrew, South African, German, Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Argentinean, French, and Japanese to name a few, and that doesn’t include countries with English as a first language, like Australia, the UK, New Zealand, and Canada!
I incorporated the word “life” into the design in sixteen different languages as well as John 10:10, I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.
I wanted the designs to be as colorful and diverse as the cultures and lives represented in the languages and still work together in harmony, the way that we worked together as the body of Christ, united by His Spirit for the good of the Kingdom.
There in Jerusalem, I experienced abundant life; and I saw firsthand that no matter what language you speak, or where you’re from; Jesus came to bring to everyone who wants it, life abundantly.
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The entire Life Collection is available now on the (in)courage shop!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I have LOVED your beautiful collection since I first saw it several months ago! I also squealed with delight when I noticed that our small Christian bookstore here on Maui carries many of your beautiful pieces! Thanks for blessing us with your creative talents!
I drink my tea out of one of those cups every morning. I love knowing the story behind it now. I’ve also ordered them for Christmas presents!
Wow, how’d you get these places to carry your stuff, anyway? Do you have to do a consignment deal of some sort?