Today I am again struck by the difficulty of blogging. So much that God is doing here, He is challenging and teaching me with... What parts to share, what parts to hold between me and Him? I want to learn as well as rejoice with you all through this experience, but how to say things with tact, while also being honest to my perceptions and struggles... Interesting line...
I posted on facebook about the delivery of a healthy baby girl to one of our ladies! I did want to make sure to share that on here. That was an exciting time, and also interesting look into their reality outside of the shop. I picked the mom, Bridget, up from the hospital, along with a couple of other ladies... no car seat or sign out or wrist band check required...
We bounced along the rutted roads out to her home, where 4 of us huddled in her room/home on a twin mattress and shared a bowl of "celebration stew." She was shining and grateful- I was overcome with how little she had- yet that wasn't what her concern was with... Her baby Esther is precious...
Monday I had the opportunity to do "home visits" of two other ladies. My car wasn't working so I got the whole experience of walking out to the homes, and seeing their reality. These two women graciously received me, and we had lovely visits. Again- I was struck with their simplicity, yet generosity. The sentence that still plagues me was when Donatha U (a seamstress) asked me about my skirt- she wanted to know if it was "handmade, or secondhand?" How could I sit there and explain to her that the majority of the clothes in my closet have only been worn by me... the concept of "second hand" is certainly used in America- but not as the only other option to handmade... I simply told her it was "bought" and reconsidered my "normal"...
I am happy to say I spoke with the manager Charlotte and she said the ladies would be excited to share their stories and testimonies, so know, I am developing those to share here as well. I just want to be sure to give them justice. :)
I hope you all are well. Thank you for your considered interest and encouragement in this time God is opening my eyes to more and more every day...
2 comments:
Hi Rachel,
I loved your blog comments...our sisters in this community really have a powerful testimony of living the abundant life in Christ. Most Christians here in America will never know the powerful provision of God when we are relying only on Him for our needs. He becomes real in a way no book or speaker could ever convey.
I'm sure the ladies have many different testimonies...do some have experience with becoming a christian and being abandoned by their family/husband. I was thinking that I have a testimony with that background and if one or more of the ladies would like to correspond, we could share what the Lord has done and is doing. I would be honored and blessed to hear what they have to say.
Perhaps we could share in the daily devotion by reading the same scripture verses and sharing a thought...
God has brought you to Africa not only to minister to these women, but to bless you, and grow you by showing you how powerful He is. Your experiences will make you fearless as you will learn that He is absolutely faithful and truly the Almighty. We all have an "africa" if we allow God to work it in us....my "africa" was my 25 year struggle to constantly choose faith over this present world. We may not have much by the world's standards and we may loose what little material things we have...but it is rubbish compared to His incomparable salvation and love....see if my idea for sharing with the ladies is something that seems beneficial...God bless ,sister...we all miss you and love you...Janet Meibaum
Good Morning! Rachel, or Good Afternoon :) I have read this post several times only to get distracted more than I would like but I have to tell you, that this line "handmade, or secondhand?" has been with me daily. We just finished our Labor Day sales here and there was a time when all my shopping for Christmas would be done during this time but not this year. We're inundated all kinds of flyers and they say when sales are up, there is a positive effect on our economy, still, "handmade, or secondhand?" is what comes to mind. A baby? :) What joy! Sonciary and I acutally babysat our little cousin-in-law, 3 months, and I did not know that it was the first time ever for Sonciary to change a diaper :) We had a wonderful time but I believe it will be a unique one for us. And, I wanted to tell you that Sonciary gave me and Sierra this beaded bracelet that we each wear and we are supposed to use it as a reminder to pray for each other. The other day I did something naturally and used the beads to go to the next subject or person for whom I was praying. You know I was raised as a Southern Baptist and being Mexican that is almost an impossibility but and a Christ follower, I looked at those beeds as if they were pen and paper. I've written your and Michel's names on one of them :) Love you Rach! Joy! Raquel
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