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.