Hair today

One day some of the Bhutanese women had taken down their hair and were rewinding it. I was stunned at the beauty and asked if I could take a picture. They shyly agreed. What an amazing variety of styles our women sport! The Bhutanese have very long hair. Most have never cut it. Take a look at Gopi's fancy up-do and accessories.
I admire these natural wraps, too.
And of course, Tika's pretty braid.

Our Muslim Africans are covered, but some of our Africans don't mind showing their hair. Aren't Godeliva's soft glossy curls pretty?Miriam sports a straight style.
One day Jesus was teaching his followers about how much God loves them. He pointed out that God cares for the needs of the tiniest sparrow. In Luke 12:6-7, Jesus asked: What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. He went on to say: The very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Spinning a yarn

We call our knitting/crocheting ladies the "Yarn Group." Stroll past the RSS yarn classroom each week, and you'll see a scene much like this:The RSS yarn group is led by the talented Anne. She loves her ladies and has spent a lot of time learning the Nepali language. She also teaches students the English they need to know to succeed in creating beautiful products.
Most of Anne's students came with a basic knowledge of how to knit and crochet. Anne is teaching them how to read a pattern and how to knit items they've never seen.

Dil and her daughter come faithfully to class each week. Dil not only knits and crochets, she also knows how to weave. She often takes yarn home to her loom, where she turns it into bookmarks and bags.

Like the other women in class, Harka was unaccustomed to the array of different yarns to be found in America. Anne struggled to help them overcome their reluctance to try something new. Now Harka is making a gorgeous summer scarf out of a lightweight "eyelash" yarn.

Bhagirati works on her summer scarf while seated on the floor -- a comfortable place most of the women prefer. Thanks to our supporters' generous donation of reading glasses, most of the women in the yarn group now sport brand new spectacles!

A few of the women try to perch on the sofas. "New Dil" as we call this recent attendee is an excellent knitter, but she'd probably prefer the floor!

Godeliva, from Congo, is a faithful member of the yarn group. Though disabled, she is a determined and dedicated group member. Her sister suffered severe injuries in a recent van accident, and Godeliva spent weeks caring for her. But as soon as her sister was able to fend for herself, Godeliva hurried back to class.

The RSS is grateful to our business partner, PureFUN!, for providing consistent orders of doll blanket/beanie sets made by our women. Learn more about PureFUN! on our "Partners" page. PureFUN! sells the blanket/beanie sets to their customers at cost.
Anne keeps track of the three sizes of sets her ladies make. Her quality control is rigorous.

One of many benefits the ladies receive in yarn group is the opportunity to chat with friends in a safe comfortable setting.

Friendships are treasured, but new knowledge is also eagerly sought. Most of the women in our classes have no clue about the symbolic significance Americans place on colors. Blue and pink for babies? Browns for autumn? Red and green for Christmas? Why?

Anne tried to teach the ladies that yellow and blue mixed together make green. The women flatly rejected that bit of information. So Anne held a watercolor painting day.

Well, what do you know? Blue and yellow DO make green!

The dedication with which Anne prepares for class and teaches her students, assures them that they are loved. We all love them deeply. And so does our God.

Forward . . . March!

God has brought a wonderful group of leaders to the Refugee Sewing Society. As we work together, we stand amazed at how well our skills and talents mesh. Truly, we are the body He has assembled to labor in fields that are white unto harvest.

I'm delighted to introduce you to members of the on-site RSS leadership. Here is our teaching staff:

Beautiful Amy has been with us almost from the start. She runs our jewelry-making class, or "bead group," as we call it. But Amy does much more. She also does most of our traveling, speaking, and market events. She has helped us with everything from teatime snacks to room decor. She created the two DVDs that express the heart of the RSS. She is also a wonderful musician, and I love to hear her sing.Anne does an outstanding job with the yarn group. Her women settle into comfy chairs or curl up on the floor as Anne teaches them how to read a pattern and how to create gorgeous knitted and crocheted items. Anne is teaching herself Nepali -- the language of our Bhutanese refugees. Now that's dedication!
I'm not sure what this contraption is called, but Anne uses it to wind messy wads of yarn into lovely usable balls.
Cathy and Joan team teach the beginner sewing class. Both are members of our host church, Northlake Church of Christ. Cathy brings the techniques she learned from her mother, a professional seamstress. Joan brings her many years of crafting and sewing. Though the beginner class is their official assignment, both help out with the advanced class, too.

Cathy has been teaching the women how to lay fabric straight, how to use a rotary cutter, and how to make patchwork placemats.
Joan has taught the women how to sew several different projects. She recently conducted a sewing workshop for both classes. The advanced group learned to make adorable t-shirts and shorts for children. So sweet!
I teach the advanced sewing class. My women are sewing beautifully, and one of my greatest joys is that two of our women are earning money crafting traditional clothing in their homes. While speaking at a luncheon at Avondale Estates Baptist Church recently, I shared the greatest inspiration for everything I am and all that I do -- my parents, Harold and Betty Cummins.
My most ardent supporter and God's wonderful gift is my husband, Tim. As I try to juggle directing the RSS and teaching a class, Tim always holds me up in prayer and helps me know how to proceed.
Onward ho! Here's our support and leadership staff:

David is at the core of the RSS. He drives the church van to pick up and return our women. Without David, we could not hold our classes. He does more than drive, though. He has helped install shelving and curtains in our main room.
David also has created detailed maps and charts for van drivers who might need to substitute for him on occasion. Aware how desperately we need the protection and comfort of the Spirit, he also made small posters of apt Scripture verses to hang on the walls that surround us.
Tom Jones has revolutionized the daily functioning of the RSS. His lifetime as business administrator and missionary in Kenya gives him invaluable experience. He created and runs our inventory and manages our payroll.He also coordinates most of the communication -- incoming requests for markets or MIBs, donation drop-off, questions and requests, and much more.
His sweet wife, Nancy, runs quality control for the sewing groups. She examines every seam and stitch. She also tests each doll dress and nightgown to assure a good fit. Our board of directors had a lot of fun celebrating her birthday! Our Christmas schedule last year kept her hard at work as we all struggled to keep up with the flood of events and markets. She always has a smile on her face, no matter what is happening.
David's wife Lynn took on the overwhelming job of sorting our gigantic button supply. We call her the Button Queen of the Refugee Sewing Society!
I know all too well how very much the RSS depends on our in-house leadership staff. But we couldn't do without the wisdom, creativity, and dedication of Todd and Carol. Their daycare supply company ferries RSS-made sheets, blankets, and doll clothes to customers without taking a single penny from our refugee women. Todd also advises us on business matters, and he created the concept of Missions in a Box. He provided the path for the RSS to become a 501(c)3 and licensed business. He also found us a way to be fully insured. Carol keeps our books and manages our payroll. What wonderful people! Our deepest thanks and gratitude to the Lord for all He has done!

Beautiful ladies

The women of the Refugee Sewing Society are beautiful. Though they have endured horrific pain and loss, there is a sweet softness about them. I'd love to introduce them in person, but until then, please meet some members of the sewing class.

Durga's eyes reveal the gentleness in her demeanor. A Bhutanese refugee, she is always kind and sews with great care.


Lovely Rabha, from Sudan, expects her sixth child in September. She understands color better than any of us, and she's always willing to help match fabric or choose trims.

The advanced sewing class boasts a pair of ladies who keep the rest of us in giggles. Jasoda, from Bhutan, suffered a terrible shock when her husband received serious head injuries in a recent accident. She stayed with him many weeks until he came home from the hospital and was making progress toward recovery.

When Jasoda returned to the RSS, those fun-loving eyes began to sparkle again, and soon we were all giggling.

And here's her partner in hilarity! Hinde, from Somalia, has a quick wit and is always laughing. A typical Bhutanese middle name is "Maya." Hinde's last name is "Muya." Jasoda christened her friend, "Hinde Maya." Maya means love, and that's a perfect name for this strong woman we all adore.
Recently, Devi's son visited the Refugee Sewing Society. Devi is from Bhutan, and her husband was also severely injured the van accident. He wears a body cast now, and we pray for his complete recovery. You can see the pride on Yuba's face as he watches his mother work.

Mariam, from Sudan, has been awaiting the birth of her seventh child. Her beautiful daughter was born not long after I took this photo. Mariam has moved from beginner to advanced sewing class. She is a hard worker whose skills have polished over the past months.

In the beginner sewing class, Man, is sewing patchwork placemats with matching napkins. Patchwork is a challenge for anyone, but Man is quickly learning its secrets.

This photo captures Khadra's warm smile. From Somalia, she is new to the beginner class, but her sewing is progressing so quickly she may soon join the advanced class.
One of my greatest joys is seeing our women's faces as we welcome them each day. Beautiful!