It's Friday!

I finally finished painting some jersey fabric that I bought a month ago. I've been working on this project in my spare time here at work to create some buzz about a fabric printing workshop that I want to teach in the next few weeks. The sewing ladies told me today that they would be very interested in a class if I were to teach one. Now the last hoop to jump through is getting the workshop approved...luckily I'm persistent (stubborn.)

In progress painting

I'm still playing around with different ideas of what the final product will be. A dress or tank or loose cropped shirt? I'm looking forward to seeing Louis on Monday and see what he thinks. I love the idea of doing a collaboration project with him. But we'll see what the Lord has planned, because I don't want to take time away from him that could be used to produce work to sell. Please keep Louis in your thoughts and prayers; I haven't seen him around at all this past week. I'm assuming he's working from home, but I've missed seeing him!

Quick application sketch

Yei? Yay!

Currently my dad is in Yei, Sudan doing medical mission work. In 6 days, he'll be in Cape Town! I cannot wait to see my daddy!
I only made two requests during this trip to Sudan: fabric and beads. Both of which I'm happy to say that he has found or has in hand. I'm going to be a very happy girl in less than a week.

I had posted some quick 2 minute sketches that I had done, but found that I kept looking at them very critically. I decided to take them down until I feel less judge-y.

Last weekend I found a bead store that is closing in a couple of weeks and everything was on clearance. I walked away with a very heavy bag of florescent and neon treasures. It only cost me R50 ($7!!) I can't wait to see what fabrics my dad bought to see where this collection is going! (Also, thank you daddy for carrying my beautiful but heavy treasures back to the States for me! I love you!) I'm finding it's easy to start thinking about my bakery friends in the context of how their personalities translate into fabric, color and texture choices. I'm so looking forward to introducing them to you through this collection. I plan on using recycled and natural materials as much as possible (burlap/empty flour bags/feathers/quills/stone or ceramic.) When I get back to Tennessee then I will be able to print and dye fabrics to compliment what I find here. I'll be sure and post a sneak peak next week!

Next week, I will be working with a team coming from North Carolina. The group (mostly women) are working in the Red Hill Township to teach women how to make jewelry/crafts out of recycled materials. The first week is mainly leadership training, the second is the sustainable skills training. I am so excited to finally get my hands dirty and talk design. Though I will really miss my Living Way family for the week and half I'm gone. Unlike Masi, Red Hill is literally government land that is divided into three separate camps on the side of a hill. The top camp is Colored, middle is Black, the bottom is Refugees/Foreign Nationals. These camps are set up this way by social ranking. I haven't had the opportunity to work in Red Hill yet, so I really looking forward to meeting new friends and loving on more of my brothers and sisters.

Thursday Morning Reflection

Yesterday was a long day here. I woke up with a stomach bug and everything seemed to be harder to process than normal. Richard is out for the week. He is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo working to set up other economic empowerment campuses there, based on the Living Way model. Because of his absence, I have had the opportunity to wear many hats this week. Though it's been a good experience, I am exhausted.
The bakery had been having trouble with the slicer working and the repair man, Jeremy, came out to see what the problem was. Turns out the spring wasn't spring-ing like it should. I watched Jeremy take the tiny starter box apart and made a mental note in case I have to fix it in the future. After he finished replacing the part, he accidentally locked his keys in his truck. My heart sank for him! I know how awful and embarrassed he felt. I brought him back to the main office to use the phone and call his employers to see what to do. He was very nervous to call because this was apparently the second time he had done this. What ended up happening was that the employers refused to pick him up and he had to figure out the problem at his expense. We searched through the yellow pages and finally found one locksmith that was close by and affordable. Jeremy had to use the majority of the money that I paid him in order to pay the locksmith, now he owes his employers. I told him I would be praying for him as he left. The comment caught him off guard, but he politely said thanks and left. I do pray that his day improved. I thank God for the opportunity to be encouraging to Jeremy.
Everything else yesterday can be summed up in one word: drama. I was too under the weather to deal with playing bakery manager. I felt like an RA sitting in a circle while they played the blame game. Pray for them! They come from a place of hurt and anger, and they don't know how to work as a team. The deeper I get involved with them, more issues come out. I am praying that God gives me the wisdom to know how to handle each situation and the grace to see past the drama. I love them so much!
Thank God that my stomach is slowly settling down this morning. I woke up starving but have only had the courage to nibble at my loaf of bead and sip hot tea. So as I'm taking my communion, I will be thanking God for my friends at home as well as my friends here. I love you and hope that each of you are truly blessed today!

Beautiful Praise!

UPDATE:

The girl I was speaking about in the previous post. She stopped by the office today to pick up her wages for the week (her baby ran out of diapers and she couldn't take him to day care, so she missed work.) I asked how she was and she lit up with the most beautiful smile that I will never forget! She said that she is good and God is good. She then told me that after we had prayed yesterday she had gone home, her boyfriend needed to talk to her. He said that before she got home a bunch of the gang members had been there and he told them they had to leave. She asked him why he said that (keep in mind, these were his friends.) He replied that he knew she wasn't happy and he wants her to be happy. Keep praying!! This is such a huge praise! She told him about our skills training at Living Way and he wants to find out more. I told her to keep praying and asking God to work in her life. She said that her boyfriend seems changed and she is happy. I am lifting them up and surrounding her and her children in prayer. And I met her 6 month old baby boy. He was strapped to her back and is the most beautiful child I have ever seen. Great big brown eyes! She even introduced me to him as 'Aunt Lauren.'
I saw God today. Prayer is powerful. Be encouraged. God is at work and does so in magnificent ways!

Still in that Whale's Belly

Sorry for the long pause and no updates! It has been a pretty crazy week here. The Lausanne Conference started on Sunday and 108 of the delegates visited Living Hope yesterday. I had been working very hard on Living Way's presentation and am glad to say that it is over and went well!

Here's a (not so brief...sorry!) update from the week:
Monday: Business training meeting with the bakery folk (stock control.) It went alright..they still aren't making a connection that the raw materials affect what you can make and then ultimately what you can sell. This is a slow process, but I'm trusting God to make all things known in his time.

Tuesday: Crazy day of presentation planning. Chasing down flour delivery men. A lot of running around. I spoke with Vusi, he still hasn't found a new place but is hopeful that something will become available.

Wednesday: Emotionally difficult day. We have a weekly Update and Planning meeting with the bakery. No one showed up. One girl looked at me, smiled, turned and walked away. I felt pretty defeated. What Richard and I are trying to do is not a joke. It's heartbreaking to want someone to succeed so badly and they don't want it for themselves! I'm still praying through this. I know that God hasn't given up on them, so neither will I.

Thursday: Lausanne Presentation took up the whole morning. Ran back for the rescheduled (and  now mandatory) Update and Planning meeting. Poverty has taught these women more excuses than I have ever heard!
"We can't make more bread because our mixer won't make double the amount."
"We can't sell because we're black."
"The customers won't buy our bread that is sliced because the slicer cuts too thin, but people won't buy unsliced bread."
"We can't make contracts because we're not educated and don't dress nice."
Every day it's another excuse. We are on the front lines, and dammit this poverty mindset will not win!
(Prayer: Currently they are making 10 loaves at a time in a 20 loaf oven! Gas cost is through the roof. If production doesn't improve soon, the business will close. Richard called the original bakery trainer to get some advise on what to do. I hope to have more information soon.)
Spoke with Louis. His sewing machine is not working. We took it apart and the gears are completely rusted through. He doesn't have the money to get it repaired but did find a supplier that sells new sewing machine parts. I am praying for wisdom to how to handle this situation. Part of me wants to raise support to get him a new industrial sewing machine, but I can't just give him one (nor am I allowed to.) That would ultimately leave him with a void when I leave. That causes more damage than good. Luckily there are sewing classes on campus so I can ask one of the trainers where to rent-to-buy a machine. On an exciting note, he is interested in a fabric printing workshop! (Pray that he is able to find the parts to fix his machine until God gives me the insight into dealing with this in the long term.)

Prayer focus: I spoke with one of the bakery ladies (I'm not saying her name as the situation is so personal) and asked how she was doing. She broke down and cried. She told me she didn't want to live anymore in these conditions! Her boyfriend is mixed up with the wrong people, more than likely a gang. He's drinking which also means there is probably abuse. They are both barely into 'adulthood' and have two little babies. Her life is hard and unfortunately very common. She is going to a single mothers support group that a Living Hope counselor leads. From the desperation in her voice, you know she's exhausted. She's scared. She doesn't have any family. Her mother abandoned her at two months and her relatives won't have anything to do with her because she was raised by a natural healing grandmother. Her extended family called her a witch. I had a beautiful opportunity to pray with her and ask her if she knew Jesus and was involved with a church. I told her that she was valued and worth so much. I encouraged her to be strong and to work hard so she is able to continue to provide for her babies. She said she wants my life. I didn't know how to respond, other than telling her that my heart is here and that I love her. Please keep her in your prayers!

My heart keeps getting broken over and over again for my friends in Masi. I want so much to make their lives better, but feel so helpless in the process. I don't know where God is taking me, but for now I'm getting comfortable in the belly.

Prayer 10-14-10

Please be in prayer for the following:

Vusi is a wire artist here on the Living Way campus. He came into the office asking if I could help him with a search on Gumtree (South Africa and UK's Craigslist.) He URGENTLY needs a flat to rent that is in the Capri area. Please ask that God will provide a 1 bedroom flat that is within walking distance to the LW campus that is within his means. If you are interested in reading more about Vusi: http://www.livingway.co.za/vusi.html

One of the ladies in the bakery was in and out of the hospital this week. She has been complaining about severe back and stomach pains. She described the pain as the weight of a brick. Please ask that the Lord would put his healing touch upon her. I am also praying that God would change her heart and attitude as she is very difficult to work with and is the source to a lot of drama within the bakery.

John Thomas (Founder/Chairman of Living Hope with his wife Avril) just had surgery and is home recovering. Due to the type of surgery, he is in a lot of pain. Please pray for a quick and less painful recovery. Please also keep Avril in your prayers as she is overlooking all of Living Hope and taking care of John. For more background information regarding John and Avril as well as Living Hope: http://www.livinghope.co.za/

I hope to have updates soon! Continued thanks for partnering with me in prayer for the many people here.

"Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike." Ephesians 6: 17-19 (NLT)

Light Bulb Moments

(Part 1)
2 Timothy 1:7 "God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self control."
God wants us to develop self-discipline that pushes us to do things, even if others are giving up. In business, we need to be self-disciplined in order to maintain a successful work ethic.
1. People with self-discipline master their moods. They live by their commitments, not their emotions. People who do the right thing even when they don't feel like it accomplish a lot. Proverbs 25:28 "A man without self control is as defenseless as a city with broken down walls."
2. People with self-discipline watch their words. They think before they speak. Proverbs 13:3 "He who guards his lips guards his life."
3. People with self-discipline restrain their reactions. How much can you take before losing your cool? Proverbs 19:11 "If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it."
4. People with self-discipline stick to their schedule. If you don't determine how you will spend your time, others will surely decide for you! Ephesians 5:15-16 "Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility...Make the best use of your time."

I definitely feel like I'm learning how to become a manager the more I'm involved with the bakery! Over the past week I've been chasing down delivery men (flour and yeast mostly,) distributed weekly wages, and general HR with some drama amongst the trainees. If the Lord is preparing me to start my own business or at least manage one, I'm taking the hint. So this afternoon I just completed my first devotional (above) and weekly business update/review meeting with Five Loaves Bakery. Richard and I have set up these meetings in order to get the bakery trainees to understand cost, business basics, planning for the week and selling. We showed them what the total production was based on the actual amount of bread sold. Then I sat with them and calculated the potential amount earned if everything sells, before expenses and wages. It was like a small little light bulb lit up. I pray that they are beginning to grasp that the more they produce, the more potential money they will bring into the business. In short, the bakery has been in the red and if they increase their production next week like we planned, the bakery will break even. One of the bakers asked if I thought they could do it. I told them I believe they can and asked him if he thought they could do it. He said, "I hope so."
I hope so too. I want to see them succeed. If anything, I want them to start putting the pieces together and have a general understanding of business that would help them become employed locally. I am praying that they start to take responsibility and apply self-discipline towards their business. It's pretty exciting to see God working on people like this.

FURIO SS2011

My dear friends Catherine Furio and Parker Manis have completed the FURIO SS2011 collection. I partnered with them before leaving NYC, creating printed and hand dyed fabrics. Their designs are amazing! I just saw the finalized look book and wanted to share a few images with you. (Jewelry by Jen and Kimberly Gennace of IANNECI for FURIO...hands down awesome work!)

Enjoy!

 

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/FURIO-Apparel/264842231305#!/pages/FURIO-Apparel/264842231305?v=info 

http://www.furioapparel.com/ 

http://ianneci.com/home.html 

Catherine & Parker, Know that you are in my prayers. I am praising God for the opportunity to have the FURIO label in a London Showroom! I am praying that God will continue to bless both of you and that all your work is for his glory. Much love!

Louis: 10-11-10 update

I stopped by Louis' studio for an update. I missed seeing him the end of last week and wanted to make sure he was alright. He's doing well and had been out selling. I asked him for an update on life, selling, gaining clients...
He's so focused. It's such a fantastic change from most people here that expect money to fall from the sky. He knows that in order to make money, he has to go out and earn it. He was so proud to tell me all the locations where he's put up signs. Louis is also working on a business card. I told him to give me some so I can help market his business. He also told me about starting an album (portfolio) of upholstery work, that way he'll be able to show potential clients his craftsmanship. His basic business skills are great. His marketing is great. His location within the Masi community...not so good. I asked him how his selling is going. He is very realistic that it takes time to grow and is trying to stay positive. Apparently word of mouth has been spreading, but not for his tailoring ability just his upholstery. Anytime I bring up fashion, he lights up. It's sad to see that he is so talented and works so hard, but isn't in the right community to allow him to follow his dream. I do have hope that given the opportunity to go outside of Masi, he will flourish.
Please be praying that Louis doesn't become discouraged. I am praying specifically that he is able to build a strong foundation in his upholstery business that would then allow for him to save money to travel outside of Masi. It's a shame that public transportation is so lacking. Even if you have the drive to get over the mountain to downtown, there isn't a way. I am asking God to provide a way. I don't know where Louis is in relationship to Christianity. He did ask me about the verse on my wrist. When I said Psalms, he knew it came from the Bible. It's a start. I'm really excited to see where God takes this friendship, and I am praying that God is the focus and clearly visible.

Masi

I've been doing a lot of reflecting, some internal but mostly out loud, about what I've been allowed to see here. God is opening my eyes a lot the last couple of days. I've been asking to get more hands on at Living Way and also within the townships. I feel that it's difficult to be in an office when the community surrounding LW is in such need for help.
Masi (pronounced Moss-E) is a growing township of shacks and home to over 25000 people. Shacks are being built on top of existing shacks. No joke, two story shacks. No running water, no electricity and consisting of one room. And forget indoor plumbing/toilets. The Xhosa's who live in Masiphumele (which means "We will succeed") are in the southern peninsula because they were pushed south by other tribes. I found out that they are considered the 'dogs' of Africa (by other Africans) because they couldn't defend their land. Forget apartheid, to be considered the least of these by your own continent, how do you rise up and succeed? This is what LW faces by working alongside this community. On top of that, there is the mentality that "I don't need to work for something when somebody will give it to me."
As Christians, we come with good intentions to help our neighbor or 'the poor' rise out of poverty. The problem is that we give them fish without teaching them to fish. And they are capable of fishing. They don't believe they are nor will they ever if we keep handing it to them. I'm not saying you should stop giving. It's good to give, but we need to be mindful that we are helping to empower someone through sustainable means.

I got smacked in the face when I started thinking about the women in the bakery and their living situations as they all live in Masi with children struggling to make ends meat.
I don't come from where they do. I don't know what it's like to live in a shack and to be truly cold/hot, hungry and uncomfortable. I've never had to face those kinds of circumstances and find joy there. Then again, they think I'm weird for going to school, getting a job and still being single. I'm even more of a freak because I don't have children, and I'm getting old. One of the women asked me why I dress like a boy in baggy jeans. I told her I was cold and wasn't going to wear skirts everyday. She replied with "Me, I don't like jeans. They make you look fat." I thought it was funny. Maybe that's the reason I'm still single.
So I'm trying to meet them where they are without a true understanding of where that is. Jesus meets us where we are, but he's already walked the path for us. I'm just not that cool. I can't walk the path for these women. All I can do is love them.
So I'm starting a devotional with my friends in the bakery as a part of my ministry plan here. There will be more opportunities to lead workshops and teach jewelry/knitting/fabric printing, but my main purpose is to show them Christ's love. I'm praying that God will provide the topic of the devotional/Bible study. I know that he will break down barriers of communication and upbringing, so that we can all come to a place together. I know without a doubt that God will already meet each of them where they are, so I don't need to worry about doing that. I just need to be their sister in Christ and love them completely. It's beyond words how amazing it is getting to know each of them. I don't even mind when they call me fat in my baggy boy jeans.

0ct 1-4 in Pictures

Table Mountain

Muizenberg

LW main office

LW classrooms

LW gardens for Agriculture Training

LW campus kitchen (Five Loaves Bakery works from here.)

Some of my friends at Five Loaves Bakery

One of my good friends here posted on her FB profile a quote that I absolutely love; I hope you do too!
“Let’s change our language. Let’s not talk about ‘the poor’ anymore. We talk about our friends. The problem is, most of us don’t have friends who are poor. That speaks to the poverty of our friendships.” — Chris Heuertz, co-international executive director of Word Made Flesh