I've learned something --
finally.
When I worry, fret, and try to micromanage my life, I make it hard for the Holy Spirit to work. When I let go, admit my weakness, and surrender, God does amazing things. I figured out early that I had no control over The Refugee Sewing Society. God was going to do what He wanted, and I was going to sit back and be amazed.
This week, our missions supervisor, Tim Cummins (above), bought us TWO new sewing machines. Kelly and I were thrilled!
Tim had already given us two machines when we first got started. Take a look at these brand new beauties!
If you haven't met Tim, director of Whirlwind Missions, you're missing out. He and I grew up in Kenya together. Our parents were friends and they worked together often. It's hard to believe that Tim and I now minister together in much the same way our parents did. Check out his website at whirlwindmissions.org.
Just when I thought things couldn't get any better . . . another miracle! We needed yarn for our crochet group. I tried to take care of it myself --
of course. I went to Michael's and bought several skeins of expensive yarn. It was obvious I couldn't keep up with the demand. Then our Realtor called. He was clearing out a building and found THREE huge sacks of yarn. Did I want it?
You betcha! The bags filled the back of my trunk, just as the free fabric had a couple of weeks before. When I opened up the bags in the sewing room, I was amazed at God's bounty.
Next I cleared a shelf and organized the yarn. It filled up an entire shelf -- with barely enough room to squeeze in the last few skeins. Is that a beautiful sight or what? Thank you, Lord!
I had yet another surprise on Friday. Kelly called to say the sewing room was full of Bhutanese women. What were they doing? Sewing, of course! I dropped by to see what was happening.
There were NINE women in our little room, SIX of whom I'd never met. One of my students was acting as "teacher," racing from machine to machine in an effort to keep up with all the questions and needs. Please pray that we can find time -- and room! -- to welcome these new women into The Refugee Sewing Society.
But something else this week touched my heart the most. I'll begin at the beginning. One of our Bhutanese students has had a hard time learning to sew. Things always go wrong. Her thread gets knotted and tangled, she uses embroidery settings to sew seams, her bag handles are twisted and backwards. Things like that. I sensed her discouragement despite her smiles. Then last Monday, she picked up a crochet hook for the first time.
This sweet woman is on fire! I can't get her to stop crocheting and return to the sewing machine. I'll admit I thought her first effort was pretty ratty looking, and I was afraid she would have trouble with this, too. But when I dropped by on Friday, she was standing, head bent, eyes focused, and crochet hook flying!
She is making a cap for a baby. I'm so proud of her that it's all I can do to keep from giving her a big hug -- which would probably scare her away for sure!
We're having our first "market day" on Saturday, February 7, starting at 11:30. All the women will be offering their handiwork for sale at Clarkston Community Center. A church in South Carolina is sending 45 people our way. We hope the whole "village" will turn out. And you're invited, too!
Please pray for us as we work hard to get our products ready for this first big event. Thank the Lord for His bounteous blessings. Ask Him to help me
let go! And praise him for 2 new sewing machines, 3 sacks of yarn, 6 new students, and 1 precious lady who is crocheting up a storm!
This week, our missions supervisor, Tim Cummins (above), bought us TWO new sewing machines. Kelly and I were thrilled!
Tim had already given us two machines when we first got started. Take a look at these brand new beauties!
If you haven't met Tim, director of Whirlwind Missions, you're missing out. He and I grew up in Kenya together. Our parents were friends and they worked together often. It's hard to believe that Tim and I now minister together in much the same way our parents did. Check out his website at whirlwindmissions.org.
You betcha! The bags filled the back of my trunk, just as the free fabric had a couple of weeks before. When I opened up the bags in the sewing room, I was amazed at God's bounty.
Next I cleared a shelf and organized the yarn. It filled up an entire shelf -- with barely enough room to squeeze in the last few skeins. Is that a beautiful sight or what? Thank you, Lord!
I had yet another surprise on Friday. Kelly called to say the sewing room was full of Bhutanese women. What were they doing? Sewing, of course! I dropped by to see what was happening.
There were NINE women in our little room, SIX of whom I'd never met. One of my students was acting as "teacher," racing from machine to machine in an effort to keep up with all the questions and needs. Please pray that we can find time -- and room! -- to welcome these new women into The Refugee Sewing Society.
This sweet woman is on fire! I can't get her to stop crocheting and return to the sewing machine. I'll admit I thought her first effort was pretty ratty looking, and I was afraid she would have trouble with this, too. But when I dropped by on Friday, she was standing, head bent, eyes focused, and crochet hook flying!
She is making a cap for a baby. I'm so proud of her that it's all I can do to keep from giving her a big hug -- which would probably scare her away for sure!
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!
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. 
In one home, the mother of three girls brought out crocheted doilies to show us. She escaped from Darfur in Sudan and fled to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. When preparing to come to America, she was told to leave her doilies behind. She didn't -- and I'm so glad! What BEAUTIFUL handiwork!
We had a Cinderella moment when this 3-year-old tried on a pair of pink sandals. She loves pink, and we were all hoping the shoes would fit.
Oh, dear! Just a little too big. Never mind -- each girl was able to find at least one pair of good shoes. Yay!
I love taking visitors to meet my families. The joy spreads out in every direction as they get to know each other and spend time chatting. These opportunities give visitors a better insight into the needs -- both spiritual and physical -- of the refugees. And the refugees get to meet Americans who genuinely care about them. Winners both ways!
Terry is planning another trip to Clarkston soon, and I'm hoping she'll bring some of the women who gave of their time and money to help the families.
One of the things I love most about The Refugee Sewing Society is watching the women help each other. Here Leela helps Dhaka with the sewing machine.
Kelly is always ready to lend a hand . . . or two!
We're very excited to welcome this Bhutanese woman (below) into our group. In her refugee camp, she taught sewing, crochet, fabric painting, and many other crafts. Her students used foot pedal sewing machines because they had no electricity. She's learning the ins and outs of our electric machines now -- and she's already producing beautiful handiwork. 
Leona returned to teach crochet. During her free time, she organized all our baskets of thread and other supplies. A major undertaking! Thanks, Leona.
Margaret, a woman with a servant's heart, dropped by to see how she could help out. We look forward to working with her!
BIG NEWS! One of our students got a paying job. This wedding planner, a beautiful Ethiopian (right), brought fabric for Leela to hem into napkins, tablecloths, and table runners. Leela has proven herself a skilled seamstress, and we're so proud of her!
With our shelves of donated fabric . . .
. . . and our sewing instructions in place, everyone concentrated on working hard. Some stayed from the start of the morning class all the way through the day until the afternoon class was over. These ladies are amazing!
Lest you think it's all work and no fun, I'll end with this photo of my two new Somali students. They get a big kick out of everything from pinning and ironing to ripping fabric and sewing it back together again. 
I can't express how much I love all these women. They have experienced more pain and heartache than most of us could imagine in our worst nightmares. But their zest for life and determination to succeed give testimony to the endurance of the human spirit.
