WORKING WITH THE WOMEN IN UGANDA
May, 2024, I had the unique and priviledged experience of spending 4 days stitching with the women in Uganda.
My husband and I sponsored a little 8 year old girl, Sarah, through her school years and into college. Steve, walked Sarah down the aisle in 2010 as Sarah married another orphan, Patrick. Currently, Sarah and Patrick co-pastor a church outside of Kampala, Uganda.
A year before, Sarah asked me what we could bring the women as a income making project to feed their children. After a year of planning, I packed up supplies and fabric to bring to the women and teach them to hand stitch art.
Not only was it astounding what the women produced, but the healing began to happen.
In the US, I have experienced and witnessed the healing of hearts through hand stitching. Because the workshop was in several languages and I relied on a very special women, Helen,, to interpert for me, I didn't realize how much healing and restoration was going on for this group of women as they sat on the floor, legs extended straight in front of them.
Women, who hadn't spoken for years, friendships restored and hands reached out to one another to encourage and help, even the littlest of girls.
And the women have continued to stitch art and are bringing in income for their work!
This was a magical and life altering time for me.
Three weeks after we returned home from this wonderful 5 week trip, our daughter, Sarah, and Patrick lost their oldest, 12 year old son, Jeremiah.
I have left my heart with this family and the women of Uganda.
Fifty women and two little girls. Evenyone stitching
Patrick, David Brooks, Steve, Susan, Sarah and Jeremiah
In front, Mikela and Treasure.
Choosing fabrics
Helen was my skilled interruptor in 2 languages. She got it and had already sold a piece by the end of the workshop
Some of the women only had a bit finished on their art pieces because they joined us later - after seeing what the others had made. And some had their morning routines that caused them to not arrive until later in the mornings. I have deep respect for all the women could accomplish in these few short days!
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As Sarah ran the workshop, she didn't have the time to stitch. We met later to stitch together for the day. Then, we met to take our two families out for dinner and ice cream, and finished our stitching at the restaurant!
This is the beginning of Sarah's piece.
Treasure enjoying her ice cream as Mom stitches
Helen was just practicing her new art!
I bought the piecess and they are exhibited in Denver, CO
Helen - She already had orders by the end of the workshop
These three girls also wanted to learn
the art. The two on the right I met when they were orphaned and adopted at age 3.
Our four Ugandan grandchildren
David
Treasure
Mikela
In loving memory of
Jeremiah Crumb Bwire
24, January 2012
to 14, July 2024
Jeremiah was an incrcedible young man. Tender hearted, a leader and gifted musician on drums and piano as well as dance. Jeremiah danced with the abandon of David before the Lord and his last words were - Jesus - You are the air I breath.
You are loved and missed - see you soon!
