6/3/08

The happy ladies

What do the women do with spare time? If you asked them, they might ask you in return, “What is spare time?” Mrs. Schwartz asked the same question a number of months ago. She came up with an answer. She decided to start a women’s club. They meet twice a week to study the word of God, listen to a “Medical Minute”, discuss business, learn skills, and sing.

(singing)

There are about thirty who attend. Everyone has to walk from nearby villages, and most have at least two miles one way to traverse. This club helps women like Alice (mentioned in an earlier post) to support their families. Their business is producing merchandise consisting of small, medium, and large bags crocheted out of recycled plastic grocery bags, beautiful baby accessories, rag mats, and shitangas. All of these are quality products that look like professionals could have made them. A few ladies went over to another group like theirs and learned the craft of knitting and crocheting. They then came back and taught it to others. The Lord is showing these ladies the skills that they can offer and the gifts that they have.
Chimwemwe, translated into English, means “happiness.” These ladies are truly happy. Although many of them have difficult lives, their joy comes from the Lord.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sarah,

They have the biggest, most sincere smiles! They are most certainly not faking it. I'm sure that their happiness is not conditional,either.

Me and Mommy were looking at the totes and other things. They are so well made that it is hard to believe that they are made of grocery bags. Great knitting!

It was great finding an unexpected post on your blog. It's great what you're doing over there. Keep up the good work.

Olivia

Unknown said...

Sarah,
Beautiful photography and wonderful report!
We pray for your family.
Love,
Norm and Alma Wakefield

Anonymous said...

I have been so blessed to read your blog here this morning. I will have to return with the boys to read it to them as well.

What struck me was what you said about them being so poor, yet so happy. True contentment is found in the Lord. True Joy is not 'put on' - it's inward peace amidst whatever conditions the Lord has you in. Sounds as if these people know about that.

I am so pleased with your photography! Keep up the good work! Your close ups our very nice~ remember lighting is everything when it comes to pics like this ~ you will get some pictures of a lifetime -- as well as reminders of what God has done over there and in our life as well.

So excited to hear what the Lord is doing in your own life through this time there. It was wonderful to read about how they live... this very morning as I trust Jesus with where we are to live, not knowing what is next or how He will provide... I am reminded by your writing that our God is a great God and just as I found so clearly living down town all last year, so often we have soooo much more than others around the world! How can we dare not be thankful and grateful to the Lord for even the meals and clothing we have !!!

Blessings to you and your family. I will come back and read.

Alyssa Welch

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sarah,
My heart is so full of compassion when I see those ladies!! Early this morning before I got out of bed, your family was on my mind and in my prayers, and then I went to your blog. What a delight, what an encouragement, and what a burden for prayer!

Sarah, you, Iryna and Joe are blessed to see the needs of this world. God will use all these lessons that you are learning to help spread the Good News of our Savior to those you meet.

I love you all,
Liz Sweet

Anonymous said...

Sarah
Well done report and beautiful photography
The orphans and the poor are very dear to God's heart.You and your family are in the midst of a great service to the Lord.
May the Lord continue to bless you .
We will cotinue to pray for your safety and protection as you travel
Anwar and Amy Gerges Abraham,Grace,Solomon and Isaac

Anonymous said...

Hello there, Sarah and everybody.

This is SoJeong from South Korea! I read the mail that Alan sent to Jiguchon church, and I was very glad to hear that you all are in Zambia now serving God and orphans! It is always amazing to see how God uses us all in a different and sometimes unexpected way.

I meant to keep in touch with you all, and somehow I wasn't able to. Now that I know your blog, I hope to keep in touch with your family.

I sometimes think about what you told us about homeschooling and God, and can't stop thanking your family for the hard work and sacrifices you made for us while you were here. We miss you all!