Day 4 & 5 - Finish Up!

Day 4 had the boys in my room.  Kade, Stuart and Carie's son came for the day.  There were not a lot of kids to play with so he joined my girls in making a coin purse - also a handy translator.  Diego, the son of the lady who cooks for the McAllister's came for part of the day and was making different types of flowers in the room - the girls got a free lesson and I showed my afternoon girls some of his creations.

  

The morning group made box coin purses, zippered/ribbon coin purses and accesories for their bags, bowls, and hair clips.

 

The afternoon group worked on a square skirt and small clutch.  All hands were continuously busy, finishing one project and asking what else they could make.  They could not get enough.  I am beyond thankful for my translator/friend Hector and Pimpa for their stamina in working with me. 

 

                                     

                     Maria, Elsa, Iveth, Claudia, Hector!




My afternoon group - Arley, Martha, Abigal, Beatrice, Maria, Fatima - all took their skirts home on Thursday to finish them so we could do another project on Friday!!!

Friday at lunch we all got together after lunch and had a graduation type ceremony - giving each of the ladies the baskets that we filled with supplies for them to start their business.  Thank you so much to the ladies in St. Catharines who sponsored these wonderful women and made it possible.  They were so grateful.  Cesar, from the Catholic Church, gave a little talk, with Hector translating, and so did Pastor Pastor.  Each of us ladies presented to our own groups the baskets.  It was so hard to say good-bye.  The afternoon group had a special place in my heart because of some the things they shared - so much so that I had to write my farewell to them so I would not forget anything.  From our devotions each day, and sharing our hearts,  they needed to know what they meant to me, and I share it with you so you have a better understanding of the seeds that were planted, not just in their hearts, but in mine also.

"You were talking the other day about coming to Canada in my suitcase - wanting to sew there - and I said I would bring you if I could - and how serious or how teasing we were, I wanted to share with you that if I could - I wouldn't.  I don't want to mess with God's plans.

In getting to know you all this week, I have come to see beautiful women, on the inside and out, who love their bodies, have eyes fixed on Jesus - their best friend, and who live dependently on God.

In North America, we struggle with beauty - externally and internally - externally to the point of women harming their bodies to make them look like how they think they need to be, to be beautiful.  It would be rare to find someone who loves their bodies.  Everyone would have something they would want to change.  Those of us who do not think we look good enough suffer with low self-esteem and self-consciousness.  It is a blessing to love your bodies and know you are beautiful.

I can see your inner beauty shining through - God's love and God's grace - your patience in waiting for a machine, you sharing the next step in a project with someone who is behind, threading a machine for someone who needs help, stacking chairs and cleaning up at then end of the day, extending God's love to those around you.

You live dependant on God.  In North America, it is easy to forget God.  We can easily think of what we have as coming from ourselves - self-sufficient, our providing, instead of God providing.  Forgetting that He is the giver of ALL things.

Your eyes are fixed on Jesus.  In North America there are so many distractions - from T.V., movies, music - our eyes and ears and minds are constantly bombarded with messages not of God.  It is a battle to keep our minds pure, one we must choose to fight everyday.

Both our countries have struggle, pain and hardship - no one is immune to this, but God in His infinite wisdom has us right where we belong.  My county is not better than your country or the other way around - what is important is our God is a God who knows what is best for us, and in Him we are more than conquerors in all things. (Romans 8:28-39)

You have blessed me with your love of yourselves and others, you have blessed me with your eagerness to learn and how hard you have worked, you have blessed me with your smiles and laughter.

As I return to Canada, I will return a different woman because of the time I have spent with you and I will continue to pray for you and the sewing centre and the plans God has."

Hector, bless him, had to kneel beside me so he could hear what I was saying through my tears! 

These women are forever etched in my heart! 

How I long to spend another day with them! 

May God know and bless the desires of my heart!

    

DAY 2 & 3 PROJECT 

                  


After a hectic 1st day, it was good to slow down on Tuesday.  I introduced the clothesline fabric bowls.  The girls went at it with great speed and agility.  What I thought would take them all session, was completed early by some who got to start sewing that first day.  This project took more time on the sewing machines and so it worked out to start our third day on the machines while the other groups were doing their devotional.  They were creative in the shapes, some doing the oval, some round, one doing tortilla size bowls and Beatrice making a beautiful purse!

 

I Peter 3:3&4

 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

 

These are beautiful women, inside and out!!!!

And I miss them dearly!!!!

 



Day 1 Project

Maria, Hector - my translator, Stuart - the missionary, Elsa, Iveth and Claudia at the sewing machine.

 
Breakfast was at 6:30 Monday morning with a pick up of 7 a.m.  We once again arrived with hands ready to help and unload the truck of our supplies.  Our groups were called in and we started with a little get to know you.  My group was very young and quiet.  Our first devotion was about self-worth and the value we have in God's eyes, that as God's children we are daughters of the King and princesses.  And as a princess, God has a plan for our lives, as Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Seeds of worth planted and watered!

The girls were eager to get started and jumped right into the project, a bag with some piecing and quilting techniques.  Thank God for translators who not only translated, but were eager learners too - continually stepping in and helping the girls when I didn't have enough hands.  They were able to complete the bag in the morning and wore them to lunch.  So we had one group of ladies from 8-12, we served them lunch from 12-12:30 and then the second group came at 12:30 for lunch and we taught them from 1-5.  By the time we sat down for lunch we were so thankful to sit and have a cold drink, and fully understood the meaning of the work "siesta"!  It took a bit to get up in the heat and walk back for the afternoon group, but once started, adrenaline saw us through.  My afternoon group was even more eager than my morning.  It was like they could not get enough to drink and were gulping down all they could.  They told me I needed to be there a month, not one week.  Look at some of their beautiful creations! 

Beatrice                                    Marta         

Look at how those points meet!!!!!!!!!      

 

 

 

Abigal                           Arly  

 

 

 

Maria and Sandra                        Maria     



Sunday in Rio Frio

 

 Sunday morning we were off to Rio Frio.  A 45 minute drive through beautiful countryside - a drive I would never tire of!  We were welcomed by the ladies who offered up hands of help, unloading the back of the truck in minutes.  We set up tables with our displays of projects, they brought in chairs, the Pastors welcomed us, we introduced ourselves and our projects, and then the ladies had an opportunity to sign up for the group of projects that most interested them.  They were all eager to get out of their chairs and be the first to sign up, but the pastors kept it organized by allowing one from the sewing group and one from the community to come up at a time.

Lunch was served to us at Pastor Pastor's house, (yes, his actual name is Pastor!), and then we went to the building where we would be teaching, took a lay of the land and started setting things up.  After clearing out the bats - yes - LOTS of bats, we chose rooms and set up sewing machines.  By mid-afternoon, hot and sweaty, the pastors returned and opened coconuts for us to drink before church.  Unfortunately, they got a bit dirty in the process, and so did we as we tried to master drinking out of the hole.  We all had a good laugh.

Church was at around 3:30 at Pastor Pastor's church and the first song we sung together was

 How Great Thou Art!

 



  Oh Lord my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout
The universe displayed

 (The tears were welling in my eyes - what worship to an incredible God who blessed me with such an amazing experience, worshipping with Brothers and Sisters in Christ in El Salvador!)
Then sings my soul  My Savior, God, to Thee
How great thou art, How great thou art
Then sings my soul  My Savior, God, to Thee
How great Thou art,  How great Thou art

 And When I think, of God,
His son not sparing,
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden
gladly bearing He bled and died
to take away my sin

  When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
With humble adoration
And then proclaim My God
How great Thou art
 

 

Saturday in San Vicente

We departed on Saturday, around 11 a.m. from Pearson International Airport.  Prayers for our luggage were a mass as we were overweight on all fronts.  Ron was waiting in case we needed to dump one.  God was faithful and we sailed through!!!!!!

 

Arriving in El Salvador, Carie was there to meet us and bring us to the hotel we would be staying at.  Work began right away, as we opened up the hockey bags and began putting together the baskets for the last day.  I was so thankful we attacked this first as I was wondering how we would have the energy by the end of the week!  Knit/jersey fabric and interfacing was cut for all.  Contents included a notebook for records, pen, Bible, scissors, sewing kit with all the notions (thread, pins, needles, measuring tape, zippers, pin cushion, etc.), 3 fat quarters and a make-up item.

After the baskets were done, out came the seam rippers to take the zippers out of old jeans for one of my projects.  Re-using items from clothing that was no longer wearable was one of our points of teaching.  Jean zippers were the perfect length for a Cubed Coin Purse I taught.  Not the easiest job, but many hands made for quicker work!  Supper and plans for the next day brought us to our days end.  With excitement of the next day, meeting the ladies, and attending church in Rio Frio, we took our last opportunity of a nice long sleep - breakfast at 8 a.m.

Packed and Ready to GO!

PACKING!!!!!!

All of this needs to somehow get packed

These are my projects for the week - the rope will be sewn into a basket yet for a sample.  Everything is pre-cut and packaged for the ladies.  Can't wait to see what they create!  One of the projects is a clothesline fabric bowl.  Below you can see it some together.

It was all successfully put away - just pray that our carry-on is not weighed as it is a bit overweight!!!  Very excited that the time has come.  Cannot wait to see what God has planned for this venture.  He has orchestrated the plans, gathered the hands and feet that are needed, and He goes before us.  Will not be able to blog while down there but will add a few messages on Facebook when I can.  Pictures and stories upon our return. 

Thank you to all who have supported me through these prepartations!

Almost ready to leave.

From back to front - the Team - Rebecca, Julie, Stephanie, Julie, Karen

Here we are at SEW ON FIRE MINISTRIES making the sewing kits for the ladies and some extra for the ministry to have on hand.  This is an amazing ministry and I encourage you to check out their web-site.  I have a vision to open a Niagara based version of this!!!

We have all been working hard - so hard I have not blogged or taken pictures of the process this far.  Our bags of donations, fabrics, notions, etc. are packed and ready to go.  Myself, on the other hand need to start putting my stuff together.  There is one more project I need to try again as it is a little tricky - but terribly cute!  This I will post when I come back with the pictures of what we made.

So excited to see what God has planned for this coming week!

Here is the link to SEW ON FIRE!
http://www.sewonfire.com/home.html

Sewing Seeds

When I first thought of the work in El Salvador, of the building of the houses, and I saw for myself the hope that was being built in people's lives, on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, I knew it was about more than just a safe house.  Seeds were being planted, watered and harvested.  Lives were changing - never to be the same again.

I Corinthians 3:6-9
 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.  For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Therefore the title Building Hope, Sewing Seeds.  Then came the final piece of this puzzle name that I came to love - there was a women's sewing team going to El Salvador, to teach over 50 women some projects to sew!  More details of this are on the Sewing trip page tab above.

What we are working on is trying to get  all of the women to have a Canadian woman as a sponsor.  What does sponsorship mean?  It is a one time financial commitment of $40 ($50 if you want a tax receipt), a photo of yourself that will go on the front of a card for the woman and inside you will be able to write a few things about yourself for her.  You will also receive a card back with a picture of your sponsored lady.  We covet your prayers for our team, but specifically for the woman you have sponsored.  The financial contribution goes towards a sewing basket with start up supplies for your lady and a bible.  The basket will contain such items as scissors, buttons, snaps, zippers, material, thread, measuring tape, pins, needles and more.  Lunch will also be served to the women each day during the week.

This is an opportunity for you to Sew a Seed into a woman's life, investing in her, her creativity, her desire to work to support her family.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please leave a message and I will contact you with the details.

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

I woke up this morning with this song playing over and over again in my head!  How appropriate!  Whether building a home or a life, the foundation is crucial!

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
A Christian hymn written by Edward Mote

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

To hear this song revamped to a contemporary beat with some fresh words, listen here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLxZEU02uI

To hear this song as original hymn, listen here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkMapZB8qMk

Building Hope

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

 

Psalm 9:18

 

 

 These are the conditions of some of the homes of the families we built for.       Time after time we heard of how they have been praying for a new home  -          a safe, dry place to live in. 

 

 



 

 

These building projects are built in conjunction with Shelters Canada.  You can visit theirewebsite for more information, to watch a video about their work or to even see the house plans.  http://www.sheltercanada.ca/

     When we had completed all 11 homes, we had a Key Giving Ceremony where each family was presented with their house keys, a bible and house warming gifts.

 

Hebrews 10:23-25

 " Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

 

Beginnings

Technology drives me crazy - after spending an hour creating what I thought was a blog - it is not - so here I go again.  But, alas, it is late and I like to sleep - so I will copy and paste hopefully from what I did somewhere else and then on another day explain my title.

So here it is - Well, my blogging career has started.  I needed a place to keep, organize and share my passion.  Two Sundays ago our Youth Pastor at church gave a message titled, "Families Serving Together".  It was a challenging and yet encouraging message as our family had just spent the March break in El Salvador helping to build homes and loving the people.  From all the challenges he gave I remember this as if he shouted it, "Find something close to the heart of God and go for it!"  I leaned over to a good friend of mine with a big smile on my face and said, "I found mine!"  James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

It felt like I was awakened in El Salvador, that I truly started living.  God has opened the doors for Rebecca and I to return to El Salvador in August with a women's sewing team - the catalyst to this blog.  To share, organize and ask for help in gathering supplies - mostly used articles laying around our houses.  More on that later.  Time is flying by as we are leaving on August 17.  We will be there for one week and will be teaching 51 women different projects to make to sell.

This is my overview - purpose - vision for this blog.  Please join me in making a difference in people's lives.  The needs of this world are overwhelming, but if we each give a little, it adds up to a lot.  You think what is one drop of water in a bucket, but one drop makes a ripple effect that goes beyond what we can imagine.