Yesterday was a difficult day for many reasons. It was very sad for everyone to see Jill leave. You should have heard the sobbing in the Quilting Cottage! Women had their heads buried in their laps while they sobbed. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Jill had left her mark on each and every heart. They were so very honored by her home visits, and how in each home, she found something to compliment, whether it was a color they had used in something, the loveliness of their children, the tidiness of the home, or how the woman had made her feel welcome. She had said many things that did not I hated to see her go as well. It has been so wonderful to be able to share this adventure with Jill. She is a great traveling companion, and "goes with the flow", which is so necessary when traveling to this part of the world.. She was able to make the best of any situation we encountered, and didn't complain about anything. Even if the situation wasn't as we would have preferred, both of us realize that we are being given "the BEST" these folks have to offer, and it is appreciated. Tonight Jill will leave Nairobi for London, and on Sunday she will head home to Seattle. I will be very happy when I know that Andy had picked her up and she's back with her family.
Today however, was a GREAT day. Deciding to go back to the basics, and give the women another opportunity to do a hand project since we still don't have the women trained on the sewing machines, was a good move. We spent time this morning handing out the new project fabric and they got to use what they had learned in yesterday's lesson on color and design, to choose their coordinating fabrics. They had learned to have their fabrics "talk" to each other! We spent time drawing each 1/4" seam so they would have the correct seam allowance. What a difference in their work! I was very pleased! I "Oood" and "Awwwd" over each piece getting beaming smiles in response. When I found exceptional work, I showed it off to everyone. They were really "getting it"!!! The women were so pleased and proud of themselves! And to top off a very good day, the women got paid their stipend for the training by Oasis Africa! Talk about "Happy Campers"! So everyone went home, happy for the weekend, but ready and excited to return on Monday.
Thank you so much for your kind prayers and emails of encouragement. There are definitely "highs" and " lows" for me here, but the contacts from home keep me going.....plus a lot of blessings from God. Just seeing the confidence growing in these precious women, the willingness to keep working hard, and persevere through each new thing, inspires me. I am in such awe of their spirit.
Love and a big hug,
Kitty
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