one of the days our group of 8 women split into four groups.
my group was me and pam.
(pam is who convinced me to go to africa so that poor girl was stuck with me every minute of the trip)
pam and i were the women who sew.
we were asked to work with two of young men who are tailors…teaching or advising where we could.
I WAS SOOOOOO NERVOUS.
i am not confident in my sewing skills.
and pam is a rock star seamstress.
i thought they might not like me…just being honest here.
so at first i stayed pretty quiet…letting pam teach…and i took pictures.
first the boys had to teach her how to use their machine.
the machine was hard to get used to.
it was powered by….pam.
no electricity.
it was a good ice breaker because it made us laugh…really hard.
and pam has a fabulous loud laugh…mixed with a snort.
it makes everyone happy who is around her.
so we were ALL laughing very quickly.
this is finally what it took to "get it".
she was sewing!!!
pam chose this book to give them.
i thought it was cool to have amy butler with us all the way in africa.
it was full of patterns so she taught a clutch purse that they picked out.
and the fabric flower that attaches to it.
pam is such an encourager.
she said "great job" so many times they even started to tease her about it.
she was being honest….they were doing a GREAT job!
we also chose a pattern for pajama pants because it was the only pants pattern we had.
it was funny.
they don't wear big baggy pj pants like we do here.
so to him they looked wrong.
i said "what do you think?"
he said "big."
we laughed a lot.
they were proud of what they made…at least proud of the purse.
showing everyone all day long.
that was cool.
later in the week the women in our group were able to pick out many african fabrics for bags
to be sold through the water4christmas website.
the bags have been sold for a year or two now…and more to come.
that night we found out that the boys had carried the machine and table SO FAR to get it to the center.
it was a long walk up a rocky hill.
i could barely make it walking…let alone carrying a table and sewing machine!
we also learned that over christmas someone broke into one of the boys' home
and stole his sewing machine and all his clothes.
heartbreaking.
the people at Word Made Flesh were able to get him another machine…thankfully.
he wanted to make sure the bag was in a picture…and so did we.
amy butler would surely love it!
those boys are special.
pam and i already have many ideas for what to bring when we go back.
they didn't have pins.
they had one needle and it was bent.
and we will be armed with awesome purse patterns…just to name a few things.
i can't wait to see how God uses sewing in these boys' lives.
they are talented!
i was like a proud mama over them.
pam was too.
they are such special boys.
Paul - I used to get everything loaclly when I lived in LA so I guess when I make things with them it still counts as being local 🙂 I have a great fabric store about an hour from me so every once in awhile I’ll make the trek. There’s a decent fabric store close to me and I get something good every once in awhile (so happy to have it around for notions, interfacing, etc. in a pinch!). Definitely rely on the internet much more now that I’m not in LA though.
Felice - I get most of my fabrics, nonotis, patterns etc from the chainstore Spotlight (similar to JoAnns), which is only about 20 minutes from me. My first preference is to shop at smaller fabric stores, but unfortunately Spotlight has pushed most of them out of the market.I’m a bit nervous about buying fabrics online, I’m always worried that when they arrive they wont look like they did in the pictures does anyone have that problem or is it usually ok?I would love to be able to find thrifted fabrics like so many of you do I’m obviously not looking in the right spots!
Kimjak - I am very fortunate .. I buy alot of my frbaic locally.. I have a Walmart, that has a frbaic department in the grocrey store [not very good on discipline..I visit tooo oftn,ha but They put frbaics on clearance all the time. so I have really built up a nice stash, with not near the amount of money!]I also live about 45 minutes from Hancock Fabrics, Hobby Lobby Fabrics. and they carry nicer frbaics and notions. And I heard a rumor that JoAnns Fabric was coming soon..[I am excited about this one too]But, I also buy on line from Fabric.com and ebay and Etsy. I just love getting the packages in the mail.. so fun..I buy most of my vintage pattens off of ebay.. Cant seem to get lucky enough to find them at yard sales and thrift store
David - – Everything youare fenileg isso normal changeis hard .LIFE takescourage and YOUhave it, girlie!Love that quote fromEcclesiastes and wroteit down as a reminder.This summer I drovefrom my parents acrosssome huge bridges toPortland, OR, to visita blogging friend. Thatwas scary but as with manyscary things, so worthit, in the end. Sendingyou happy Wednesday hugsand prayers, T!xx Suzanne
Ericka - touched my heart so much. i’ve been there. i am there. i don’t think being brave has anything to do with not feenilg fear. moving forward and walking in peace doesn’t mean that the powerful emotion of fear doesn’t rise up it’s stinkin’ head. it’s scary uprooting your family and starting over. there is not one thing easy about it. i’m the type to always look for a sign or some overwhelming feenilg of ahhhhhh. and for us this time it just didn’t exist. being really courageous means walking forward when you know that’s what you must do what He has laid out for you. the kicked in the gut feenilg does go away though. every day gets a little easier. that’s definitely something to look forward to. praying for you this morning.
thewatergirl - That’s the kind of sewing machine I grew up using…it was my great grandmothers. I just got my first electric machine this Christmas and I am still struggling to use it correctly.
heather h - i have already seen others post of the picture of his hand on her foot-idk what it is about that picture! but it is just so touching! sheesh…i wanted to hug those boys just from the pictures! can’t imagine how you and pam must have felt. i mean…after you recovered from the motion sickness in the taxi…cause i def know what that feels like 😉
Melanie - So sweet:)
Kara - I love your blog, and I just had to comment this time… that photo of the boy with the huge muscles sewing took my breath away … and not because of the muscles;) … It’s because here is this young, strong man with a tape measure around his neck, concentrating so carefully, sewing on this old, old sewing machine… making a living. Most young men his age over here wouldn’t be caught dead doing this, never mind getting their picture taken doing it, and doing it for a living…. I love the colors, too. Really, this picture brought tears to my eyes… amazing!
pambuller - they LOVED you, Meg!!! 🙂
every boy needs 2 (or 8) mommas.
Tanya - The whole story is beautiful. I love your photos.
Amber - Meg I was already on the verge of tears..and then I came to the picture of his hand on her foot, well that was it! So so beautiful, God has givin you the gift of capturing the small guestures that take our breaths away. I hope you will consider selling that print, I would love to have it.
Karina - I showed your Sierra Leone photos to my five-year-old son and he was floored. He could not get his head around people living under corrugated sheets of tin with bags of garbage piled all around. It did him a world of good to see that and stop begging for more toys to add to his mountains of possessions.
And this post is amazing. Those men could be models, they are muscular and beautiful. And they sew. I am speechless. What a moving montage…I cannot wait to hear what Amy Butler has to say. I would donate sewing supplies to those people in a heartbeat.
PS. I am sure they liked you. They did, didn’t they?
susan - meg, i love this post. it’s so sweet. i want to know how i can get fabric and sewing needles to these boys? take care, susan
Jenn Thomas - I can just hear Pam’s laugh. The first time I tried a treddle (sp??) machine I kept sew backwards instead of forward. It takes a skill. How Fun!
Jennifer - Well… I’m thinkin’ we should send them some stuff they need. I’m willing to ship it – I get a good discount through Fedex. Let’s send ’em some patterns, sewing needles, thread, etc. Anyone interested? We could send yards of material too…. Just a thought. Smiles, Jen
Elisa - Heartwarming….thankyou. I have my kiddos reading these posts…so important for them to see how blessed they are. Thanks for posting.
Chalk Inscriptions - My great-grandmother had a sewing machine like that and made us “crazy” quilts. I still have my quilt 25 years later. What memories seeing this machine. Cannot believe they are still used, but it makes since when electricity is intermittent.
You look like you have had a wonderful time! We are preparing to go to Ethiopia soon because of our adoption. Very excited, but so going to miss my kids here. That is always the hardest part. The last place I went was Tibet before I started having children. Of course Maui too – hahaha but that doesn’t count since it is a hop, skip, and a jump and the whole family goes!
Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Tegan and Tage - Meg, the photos from your trip are so moving. All of them. You could make a book out of them. Thank you for sharing.
AmyB - Aww! That is such a sweet picture!
Glad you had a great trip and made it back safely!
jaz - Oh my gosh, I am GLUED to your blog. GLUED TO IT. I swear I was in the middle of something, now I cant remember what because I cant stop reading.
You are awesome.
KW - Oh my goodness! I’ve never commented before… but if they need pins and needles and things, can we send it to them?
kelly - once again an example of how much we take for granted in this country. a really inspiring story, i am sure that what you have done will change their lives forever…
Karina Finotti - I have followed your blog for a little while now and I have to say you are a very inspiring mom and person! What a fantastic trip you took helping others and gaining so much heartfelt joy from all the sadness there. Amazing!
adrienne - loving this story!
Meredith Salmon - Now I want to start teaching my 6 yr old boy to sew. Both of my boys will learn. That is something that I think is special.
Thanks for sharing.
kristine - hot, muscular men sewing! i love it! those bags will sell big! what an awesome gift to share with them!
Queen Bee - Your post brings tears of gratitude to God to my eyes. The sermon at my church this week was about THANKING God for what you have & TRUSTING God for what you don’t. Your trip only emphasizes and brings this point even closer to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing. You have no idea the lives you impact here in the States by sharing your trip.
Courtney Walsh - Just awesome. This looks so practical and so real. I love looking at these pictures–they make me happy! 🙂
It’s so good to have you “back” though! 🙂
Laura - I think this story is so touching because it humanizes a small portion of your trip in a way that the photos from your first post just couldn’t. They were beautiful and devastating, but there was still a distance. The antique sewing machine, the modern sewing book, and the juxtaposition of the teachers being taught really make this story one that grabs the heartstrings. What a blessing you all are.
Shar - You guys are awesome to do this. Thanks for sharing.
Allison - I have a lump in my throat. I have a sewing machine (brand new) that I never use and in reality probably never will. I wish I could give it to someone who would appreciate it more than I obviously do. Makes me feel bad about myself that I would go and buy something that I don’t use and don’t really appreciate:( Reading about your visit to Africa is just making me think about these kinds of things that I tend to just take for granted.
Meg, I don’t often post comments, although I read your blog daily…you are an inspiring person. I just wanted to let you know that:)
Allison
tara pollard pakosta - That is just so inspiring!
I can’t believe they don’t
even have the needles they need
for sewing. But it’s awesome they
can do this and earn some money to live!
that must have been so great to be there
with them!
tara
Melissa Jackson - Hi Meg,
I came over by way of TBC and love your blog! I just loved this story of making the clutch and PJ pants with the young men from Africa. What an amazing way to bless their lives. Despite all they lack in life, they were able to have some moments of enjoyment with you all. You took some great pics as well. I have always wanted to do mission work all over the world and what an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing. I know I will be back for more stories from Africa.
Micah - I’m not surprised they carried the machine that far! Did you see their arms!!! I don’t think they got that way by going to the gym ;). What an amazing, heartwarming story.
Elisa - My fave pics so far!!
Kerry - Meg, this is awesome!! Such strong men with tape measures round their necks, making up a bag – it took my breath away!
I live in Africa, only 2 miles from a local ‘township’, so your photo’s to me were like looking at photo’s of home! We desperately need more assistance within our communities, so I take my hat off to you for making the effort and changing these mens lives, even in what you may think is a small way.
I collect knitted goodies for a local newborn baby project, within a community similar to the one you visited in Sierra Leone. I’m only a depot and delivery agent, but I feel good knowing I am sourcing and getting the goodies to these mama’s and babes. Some of the babies were going home from hospital wrapped up only in a newspaper 🙁 We can safely say that at this one hospital this no longer happens!!
Much love to you – Kerry, Cape-Town.
Amy - You know, I was feeling very, very sad this morning as my momma called to tell me some awful news – my Grampie passed away. Then I read your post and it had me crying in a whole different way. What a great experience to have with those special boys. My religion is something I’ve made up over the course of my life. It’s a “believe in karma/do the right thing/love people” kind of thing. This fits right into it. So heartwarming…Thanks.
amy Mumaw - Amy Butler lives about 20 minutes from me, I am going to send her these pics, I think it would be great for her to see!!! You guys are amazing!!!
Amy Mumaw
Kate - I am so proud of you, Meg. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
I feel so happy and blessed to have come across this blog. I learnt a lot about life from your blog. It’s all very encouraging and inspiring at the same time.
Thank you!!!:)
Jenn - Simply Amazing is about what I am thinking right now too! I am so proud of you all… and I don’t even really know you! 😉 Blessed are the pure in heart!! 😉
Just Jenn~
Staci Danford - Simply AMAZING.. the whole thing. The trip, the sewing, the fact that you cared enough to go, getting over the fear, the wonderful photos, and of course the purse..
You have to feel a little like Super-Woman on the inside.
Staci
Meredith - Oh Meg…that picture of the boys with fabric, tape and an Amy Butler pattern to make a clutch purse….filled with joy! Of course you and your friend Pam would be the ones to bring Amy Butler to the streets of Sierra Leone. Love it, love it, love it….love them too and their beautiful spirits. You would have made them feel every bit as valued and loved as they made you, I am sure. Hope you’re having an awesome week. Meredith xo.
Cassie - wow.
i haven’t thought about it.
it’s been a crazy week.
and this post brought me to my knees.
much love to you tonight. thanks for bringing me back….
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I loved how you described your time with them. I would have been nervous too. So proud of you and your team. Amazing what giving a little time and energy can do to transform lives!!! Loved the last picture with you holding that purse…too sweet.
melissa mae - beautiful! what an amazing experience.
Staci - Oh man alive do I have goosebumps!!!!! I can’t even imagine how much you changed their lives 😉 (and mine) It’s just incredible…really really incredible 🙂
Christina - Wow, wow. The picture of his hand on her foot made me get tears in my eyes.
That is amazing to know you contributed to something like that. Awesome.
design wanna-be - I can’t remember if I’ve already shared this link with you, but if you are interested in sewing in Africa, my best friend has a blog http://fountsewinghope.blogspot.com/
about her non-profit organization called Sewing Hope. They do amazing stuff and it might be something you are interested in.
Anna Marie - You are already planning a trip back?!? I love that!!!
Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - I don’t know why, but seeing them with that old fashioned sewing machine brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful you were there with them!
I’m sure if you shared this story with Amy Butler, you will be going back with lots and lots of bag patterns.
Susan - That machine is like a two-fer. You can sew clothing and get a good leg workout to boot. Where do I get one?
kbonikowsky - Teach a man to sew and he makes a bag! What an amazing way to spend a day! I love looking at your pictures, thanks for sharing.
Karen Gerstenberger - What beautiful and sweet young men. I am sure they thought you were angels sent from God. What fun it will be to bring them what they need for their work! God bless you and them!
Ana - It’s great that you ladies were able to teach these young men a skill that will be very valuable to them, without question. On another note, my mom sewed on a machine exactly like that one for years!! It was passed on to her by her own mom. I was never able to get the hang of that pedal…
Sharla - thanks so much for sharing these stories with us. It just makes me want to look for more ways to help people.
melissa - these phots are amazing!!!
Debra - Aww, how could you not love those boys!
Amanda - This is so great in so many ways.
My hear is full.
Bless you!!
Lisa Currie-Gurney - WOW… MY HEART IS SPEACHLESS.
HUGS FROM MAINE
Heather - Simply the most beautiful and heartwarming story I’ve had the pleasure of reading and seeing in quite some time;) I love the warmth and caring you have for the people you’ve met and the certainty that you WILL be going back!!
Kimberly Au - Thanks for sharing. What a wonderful story. The boys looked truly grateful for the time you spent with them.
Karen Lehmann - Meg – That photo of his hand on her foot…breathtaking…it made me cry…you should put it up for sale and we could donate the money…it is just so touching
Jacci - Perfect. My absolute favorite photo was the 3rd from the end. Loved that one of him working 🙂 What a tremendous blessing, Meg – the Lord can use all kinds of talents and interests! Sewing is a livelihood for these boys, and someday provision, Lord willing, for a family – which, I’m certain, is no small thing in their village. Good stuff, girl!!!
Flower Patch Farmgirl - For reasons I do not understand, this post made me more emotional than your last post. No idea why! It’s just all so humbling… Those big, strong guys, with a tape measure around their necks, so excited to churn out a clutch purse. You helped them, my friend. God used you. Simply amazing.
Rachel - Oh Meg… so much in that post. Why would you think they wouldn’t like you? That’s heartbreaking (although I do get it, I really do). And I bet your daughter likes AND loves you. A lot. But she’s a teenager and they’re not allowed to admit it (unless you’re giving them money or a drive somewhere). My daughter is the same way.
You had a life-changing experience, one that will take a very long time for you to process.
sarah - I love the non-electric sewing machine, and your picture of one of the boys helping get her going with it. To me, it was a very moving picture.
And that book is an awesome one, what a great one to share with them.
The bag turned out super awesome.
What an inspiration your trip is.
Julie - This is wonderful. Actually, this is more than wonderful! I love that you already know you are going back.
Diana - Oh my goodness, that could be my mama’s sewing machine (that sadly I don’t have anymore). I used it right up to the end… it was what I learned to sew on when I was nine years old.
Bravo to those boys! Excellent work on the bag! You should contact Amy Butler and tell her about this… you never know. *wink*
What an awesome time with those young men. Laughter is a world-wide language. 😀
Dana D@BoysMyJoys - This post made me get teary-eyed… and it made me want to go with you when you go back! That’s the thing about mission trips- no matter how hard they are on you, they leave you changed in wonderous ways!
On a side note, I have a sewing machine that belonged to my 94-year-old grandma like the one you used. Except mine is wired for electricity. It’s harder to use than my modern sewing machine, even though it has electricity, so I know it really must have been a challenge to use that machine AND a pedal! (Here’s mine: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2008/03/about-four-years-ago-i-was-still.html )
callie grayson - awesome, what an amazing time! and that purse is beautiful!
xx
callie
Jessica Reed - My mom has a similar sewing machine sitting in the hall way. I didn’t even know that you could still use them! This is so wonderful, and I am sure you touched those boys’ lives. 🙂
mary elizabeth - so awesome!!! what an amazing story. can’t imagine sewing without electricity. you girlies rocked it. look forward to more stories of the trip!!
maria - The picture of Pam’s foot with one of the boy’s hands – took my breath away – it is so Beautiful! so amazing!
jeanne - This is so beautiful! You should actually contact Amy before you go back and see if she will give you patterns.