Baby boom!

We have a new baby! I love many things about working with refugees. One of my greatest joys is the abundance of newborns. Say hello to Yusuf!Yusuf's mother is a member of The Refugee Sewing Society. She's a beautiful Somali Muslim woman who has both a tender heart and a fierce courage. Yusuf is her seventh child. The first died shortly after birth, and she rightly counts him among her children.

Some time in the past few days, Yusuf decided to turn himself around into a breech position. Doctors were preparing for a c-section when Yusuf managed to get himself born the natural way.

His mom smiled when she said, "The doctors were going to do surgery and I was ready. But God knew more than we did. He already had a plan for this baby." Amen to that!

Here's Lachhi's daughter -- born in January. The first little American for this Bhutanese family.Last November we welcomed baby Jessica, whose mom is from Burundi.We thank God for all these healthy newborns. But today was just for Yusuf. Yusuf and his very happy mother!

Hallelujah!

I am so happy!

My dear Somali friend is safe and well in Maine. Her husband called me tonight and gave the phone to each of the children -- one by one. He said that my friend has cried and cried about leaving me, just as I have cried over her. Every time she looks at pictures I gave them, she says, "Oh, Cathy! Cathy!"

My heart has felt so empty this past week. I really thought I would never hear from my friends or see them again. But bless AT&T and T Mobile, we are back in touch!

The husband in this family decided to move on March 20. They left on the 25th. They live with a relative who has been in Maine for at least a year. As with so many refugees, they are in search of a better life -- a good job, a home of their own, relatives nearby.

As we were ending our conversation, my friend's husband said, "We will never forget you, Cathy. You are our mother."

And they are my children and grandchildren.

Thank You, Lord!

Beads

Amy has done an awesome job guiding and supporting our bead group. She began volunteering at The Refugee Sewing Society by bringing snacks. She still brings snacks, but she has taught herself how to create beautiful beaded necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Man Bista (above) learned jewelry making in her refugee camp in Nepal. She has just gotten a job in housekeeping at a local hotel. I hate to see her talents unused. Maybe God will see fit to let her keep working with us. I hope so!Amy brings American style and taste to the classes. Man brings expertise in beading techniques. She also speaks Nepali and Hindi, so communication is no problem for her. The proud and smiling faces of women in the bead class reveal how well this is working out. We're all learning a lot, but we know God is overseeing all we do.You could not ask for a sweeter, more loving group of women!Thanks, Amy and Man!

And all our faithful readers -- please keep our women in your daily prayers. We're seeing such exciting things these days. The Lord is at work!

OUCH!

Nooo! Not that! Not the hair!
Last Tuesday brought more pain than I expected. It began with Everine picking out the cornrows in Imani's hair. So far so good . . .
Not the happiest moment -- for mom or daughter.
Part the hair, smooth it down with lots of Vaseline. . .
Begin new braid . . .
Nearly done . . .
Lookin' good in the neighborhood!
After Imani's hair was done, I drove over to visit my favorite friend, Anab. At the door, I stared in shock at the totally empty apartment. The window where 7 children had pushed and elbowed each other to wave at me now hung with neat new vertical blinds.
The kitchen where she stored spaghetti in a non-working dryer, where she made Somali Pasta for me, where I watched her fry fish and boil potatoes was barren of all life. Of her.
Tears filled my eyes as I stood there. Her neighbor slipped out to tell me that Anab and her family had moved. Where? To Maine, she thought. Maine? I have learned that this sudden, unexpected departure is common to refugees. Here today, gone tomorrow, without even a word of farewell. But I can't leave it at that. Good-bye Reduan, Omar, Fadumo, Salah, Mohammed, Farah, Maimunha, and Abdulkadr . . . (photo removed by request)

And good-bye, Anab. I love you. (photo removed by request)

Mungu akubariki. May God bless you.

Faces of Bhutan . . . and Somalia . . .

I find the faces of our elderly refugees so beautiful. Lines etched by sadness and suffering somehow transform into expressions of courage, perseverance, and hope.

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!