WomenAEs Friendship Grows into Seeds of Grace

Beginning of article

Never underestimate the power of friendship.

In a little more than three years, friendship has helped build a home for AIDS orphans and two libraries along with a sense of community and a feeling of hope in two Kenyan communities.

Before all that other stuff could be built, Naperville moms Julie Utter and Annette Swanson first built a friendship with two Kenyan sisters. The relationship prompted the local women to lead a church mission group to Maua, Kenya.

Their firsthand experience with both the despair and compassion of the Kenyans prompted the women to launch Seeds of Grace. Since 2006, the group has raised $80,000 for three organizations working in Kenya. Seeds of GraceAEs second annual Party with a Purpose fundraiser is Saturday, Feb. 7.

Utter, who serves as co-executive …