Michelle Kime: Making a difference

Michelle Kime is proof that living to serve others can help make the world a better place.

But she's realistic.

"You can't save the world and can't change everything you want to at one time," Kime said. "You have to start with something small."

She and friend Aiyana Ehrman travel to Cambodia twice a year with an organization called Imagine Goods. The group buys fabric at an open market there and provides it to women who were rescued from human trafficking. They, in turn, use it to make aprons, handbags, tablecloths and napkins. The women are paid a fair wage for the products, enabling them to have hope for the future and a way toward a better life.

Kime sells the products at Sweet Charity, the thrift boutique in Willow Street that she opened last month with her friend, Liz Marvin.

"I couldn't do what I do without an amazing husband, friends and family who help with our children when I travel," Kime said.

"My husband is the pastor of Faith Church and so has a lot on his plate as it is," Kime adds.

"But he tells me to go and do what I love and what helps others. I am so thankful."

So are the many whose lives are forever changed by Kime.

Age: 36.

Education: Associate degree in Bible with a concentration in intercultural studies from Lancaster Bible College.

Family: Husband Joel; sons Tyler, 13; Connor, 12; Jared, 7; and daughter Meagan, 5.

Residence: Lancaster city.

Favorite book: I usually read memoirs. I love reading about how ordinary people do something extraordinary with their lives.

Something most people don't know about me: I love mozzarella cheese sticks.

Family activities I love: We play board games, cook together and have a weekly dance competition in the kitchen as we clean up from dinner.

Hobbies: Reading, going out for coffee with friends, traveling, thrift-store shopping.

Websites I enjoy: Imaginegoods.org and sweetcharityshop.com.

In Lancaster I like to: Visit Central Market, Señorita Burrita and Square One Coffee.

My perfect day: Would be spent with family and friends, drinking coffee, talking about life and planning to do something exciting.

Favorite food: Does iced coffee count as a food?

Someday I want to visit: Burma.

When I was little, I wanted to be: A teacher. I would play school with my two younger sisters.

If I could meet my teenage self, I would say: Keep going. It does get much better.

I greatly value: My amazing and supportive group of friends. I treasure their honesty, their love and care for my family when I travel, their unconditional support when things in life get difficult, and their love and joy for life.

Biggest joy in working in Cambodia: The relationship and partnership with an amazing organization and with beautiful people. Also, being able to visit the site of new wells and toilets that generous givers paid for and receiving hugs and smiles from beautiful courageous Cambodians.

Inspiration: People who have been through unthinkable things, and yet triumph and still smile.

What the world needs more of: People loving others in word and deed and living more selfless lives.

Influential people in my life: I have been influenced by many selfless people including Jesus, my father and my husband. All have great love for people and have pushed me to love and care for others.

Quote to live by: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." — Martin Luther King Jr.

Mandy Stoltzfus is a Sunday News staff writer. Email her at mstoltzfus@lnpnews.com.