Can you lend a hand?

This was a week of busy hands . . .

MOVING HANDS: With the help of four Mission Year volunteers, we moved out of our apartment. But not without stopping for a cup of tea.
HANDS of FRIENDSHIP: Tim's high school classmate Peggy Allewell and her husband Dave were passing through Atlanta on their way from Florida back home to Canada. We loved the visit -- though it was too short!
We enjoyed getting to know Stephen, Zach, and Matt better.
Andrei worked hard, and Tessie displayed a pose we all would have loved!
SEWING HANDS: Back at The Refugee Sewing Society, our women were creating placemat-and-napkin sets. What a crowd!Great job, Beda!
Buddha's sewing is top-notch. She tells me, "If you approve my work, I will be encouraged." I approve!
IRONING HANDS: Dhaka and Beda pressed neat hems into their napkins before stitching them.
TEACHING HANDS: Man (left) is a wonderful teacher whose skills are rightfully respected and admired by all of us. She made this cosmetic bag in Nepal. Its zipper and piping were fascinating to Leela. Man explained to Leela how to sew piping into a seam.
I'm learning Nepali! "Barabari" means "exactly the same." So when I'm teaching how to use a measuring tape or how to create a 5/8" seam, I employ barabari a lot. "Seeda" means "straight." I often repeat that cutting, tearing, measuring, and stitching all need to be seeda.
Santa is one of our best seamstresses. She doesn't need barabari or seeda reminders.
Hari and Tika work hard every time they come to sewing class. I'm so proud of their accomplishments.
Nar and Buddha put in many hours during sewing class and on "free sewing" days. Our machines get a real workout. These two ladies learned how to clean and oil their machines today. We'll put them to work servicing the others in the room, too.
GENEROUS HANDS: Richard Crotteau of World Relief, a Christian refugee resettlement agency, brought over a big box of curtains for us. We'll use these to make bags, napkins, pillows, aprons, and other items. Thanks, Richard!
CROCHETING HANDS: Kelly was busy creating sample products for our women. She is organizing and scheduling the yarn groups so we will get standard sized items of acceptable color combinations.
The idea that colors have to match is new to our Bhutanese refugee friends. Why do we use pastel colors for babies? I don't know either. I guess it's just the American way.
COMFORTING HANDS: When Darala's beaded purse fringe didn't match (that nasty word again!), Ruk gently explained what might be done to rectify the problem.
Ta-da! The beaded fringe is gone. In its place -- big, beautiful red buttons! Now everyone is happy.
Intense concentration goes into each stitch.
Kuresho was thrilled with her beaded earrings and necklace. I am SO excited about her progress in our beading class. Her traditional, self-taught skills are being refined and suited to the tastes of our American market. But we're not cutting out the beauty of her natural talent.
Amazing Amy, our valiant volunteer, tried to get Kuresho to strike a pose. I'm not sure Kuresho was too eager to try out for America's Next Top Model.
Enjoying every minute was Kuresho's beautiful daughter, Hinde. She is eight months pregnant and counting. Every time I see her, I cannot believe she's still carrying the baby -- inside! That is going to be one big baby. We expect something to happen Monday morning, if not before. She has an appointment, and is worried the doctor will induce her. Please pray for Hinde and baby #7!
If you want to see helping hands and happy hearts, head over to Clarkston Community Center and pay a visit to The Refugee Sewing Society!