Eight women crowded around five sewing machines and two irons (on one ironing board!) to spend the whole day sewing, sewing, and more sewing. Oh yes, and crocheting, too! It could have been tense with so many people in such a small room, but the smiles on these ladies' faces shows we were all happy and having a blast!Leela worked on hemming napkins . . .
Medina started sewing her first "market bag" . . .
Dhaka crocheted in the hall while waiting for a machine to become available . . .
Man Bista, who taught sewing in her refugee camp in Nepal, helped teach the other ladies while also making market bags of her own . . .
Tika made a market bag and took her first crochet lesson. She really loved crocheting. That may turn out to be her forte . . .
Arbay was a brand new student, and she quickly got the hang of threading and stitching on her sewing machine . . .
Yes, it got a little crowded! I was trying to build a shelving system while troubleshooting tangled sewing machines and teaching the fine art of bobbin winding . . .
I was deeply touched when Tim appeared at the door with an "I love you" bouquet. The ladies all wanted to know why he had brought the flowers. They were a little mystified because it was not our anniversary or my birthday. "I love you, too, Tim!" 
I'm really proud of Leela. She has been working hours and hours hemming napkins and tablecloths for a wedding planner. She does beautiful work, and this is a skill she can take into our future "market days" at Intown Community Church and the Clarkston Community Center.
Busy fingers worked hard from 10 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon -- without a break for lunch. These women are dedicated!
This beautiful cap was made in Nepal.
So was this amazing table cover. 
My favorite part of the day was watching the women help each other. We had Muslims from Somalia, Hindus from Bhutan, and me, a Christian from America all in the same room laughing and sewing and sharing our hearts. 
I taught the women how to say, "Try again," in Swahili -- "Jaribu tena." Then the Somali ladies taught us how to say it in Somali. And then the Bhutanese ladies taught us how to say it in Nepali. If you had heard the Somalis trying to speak Nepali and the Bhutanese trying to speak Somali, you would have gotten the giggles along with us. Hey, why don't you drop in one of these days and join us? Karibu! (Welcome!)
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