Good news from Swaziland
In the midst of the chaos coming out of Swaziland, we’re seeing good news too. We just about doubled our purse ministry project. Here is Julie Anderson’s report:
We trained about 40 women during the week. 20
came to the community center on Mon-Tues and the others came on
Wed-Thurs. I wasn’t actually sure what all was going to be accomplished
during our time, since I wasn’t totally clear on the skill level of the
women or exactly how many we’d have attending, but we were actually
able to complete each 2 day segment with several finished products. The
women were so eager to learn, and caught on quickly to the patchwork
table runners.
came to the community center on Mon-Tues and the others came on
Wed-Thurs. I wasn’t actually sure what all was going to be accomplished
during our time, since I wasn’t totally clear on the skill level of the
women or exactly how many we’d have attending, but we were actually
able to complete each 2 day segment with several finished products. The
women were so eager to learn, and caught on quickly to the patchwork
table runners.
Philile (seated on the far left) is the wife of the Pastor AIM works with in Nsoko,
and also just happens to be a seamstress by trade, which works out
great for us! She was a huge asset during the week as she translated
for me, taught the women how to sew, helped to correct their mistakes,
etc etc. She is really what is making the addition of the Nsoko women
to Timbali possible, and will be facilitating most of what happens
there with Timbali.
and also just happens to be a seamstress by trade, which works out
great for us! She was a huge asset during the week as she translated
for me, taught the women how to sew, helped to correct their mistakes,
etc etc. She is really what is making the addition of the Nsoko women
to Timbali possible, and will be facilitating most of what happens
there with Timbali.
The group of college students that were also in Nsoko for the week helped me to get pictures and bios of all the women. This is Celiwe Makoma,
and her story really hit us hard. She’s only 19 years old, was married
at 14, widowed at 18, and has had 2 children that have both died. Her
only prayer request was that the 12 yr old orphan boy she is caring
for will grow in his faith. When Celiwe was asked her birth date, she
said October 15, 1989, which just happened to be the day she was being
interviewed. Nikki, who was interviewing her, said, “That’s today!”
Celiwe smiled shyly and said, “Oh! I didn’t know!” Ellie was happy to
sing happy birthday (her favorite song!) to Celiwe. We talked a lot
about God’s care for the women during the week, and the value that He
places on their lives…I pray Celiwe knows that her life is precious
to the Lord.
and her story really hit us hard. She’s only 19 years old, was married
at 14, widowed at 18, and has had 2 children that have both died. Her
only prayer request was that the 12 yr old orphan boy she is caring
for will grow in his faith. When Celiwe was asked her birth date, she
said October 15, 1989, which just happened to be the day she was being
interviewed. Nikki, who was interviewing her, said, “That’s today!”
Celiwe smiled shyly and said, “Oh! I didn’t know!” Ellie was happy to
sing happy birthday (her favorite song!) to Celiwe. We talked a lot
about God’s care for the women during the week, and the value that He
places on their lives…I pray Celiwe knows that her life is precious
to the Lord.
Comments (2)
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You’re right, Seth. That is good news!
This is lovely, Seth. The TV news is so full of disruption and negativity right now, it is great to hear some good positive news like this. But then it is always good news when it’s reporting on the love of God reaching into people’s lives.