What a wonderful day today has been! This morning Wanangwa told me she was going to the shop and would meet me at the church building. So Esther and I got ready for class. Mbwenu didn’t want us to leave without having our tea so he encouraged me to wait a few more minutes for the fresh cow’s milk.
Ladies’ Class
While I was boiling the milk I got distracted and then I had a mess to clean up. After I got that done. Esther enjoyed her tea and Lawrence his coffee. I was content to grab a doughnut and head out the door for class. We arrived about 30 minutes late, but of course, this is Africa. Soon Flora arrived. She lives next door and I didn’t realize she was coming. Flora hasn’t come very often so I am very happy she came today. Her husband is one of the new Christians in the church here.
Scripture Coloring Sheets
Because no one is there for class I begin to wonder if anyone is coming. We sat and chatted with Flora and I decide to go ahead and give her a scripture coloring sheet while we wait for the others. Soon three more ladies arrive and in the end, we have a dozen ladies, 2 babies, and me and Esther. All of the ladies start coloring their scripture sheets as each one arrives and then we take a break from that and start our class when everyone shows up.
Prayer
We usually start class with a song and prayer. Today we are finishing our discussion on service and faithfulness. Afterward, we share prayer requests. I was really touched as the ladies shared their needs. An alcoholic husband, lack of peace in the home, sick relatives, one child has lost his tuition sponsor, business is slow, etc. Praying for these ladies I realize how much I am going to miss their sweet spirits.
I announce to the class that we can do the cloth sanitary pad sewing class this afternoon. Then I distribute the baby bags we have saved for our ladies at church who are having babies. Esther and I wave bye and start the walk home with Flora and Loveness. We say bye to Loveness first and continue on our journey. Some kids come out to greet us and follow us for a bit.
Lunch
When I got home I heated the leftover beef soup from last night. We ate a quick lunch. Lawrence is working tirelessly on WBS. I help him package up some of the lessons that are ready to return to the students. Another one has earned a Bible. We usually give them a Bible when they complete course # 5 out of the 7 courses. If you want to see happy people just hang around when someone gets a Bible! I love this. It may be the only book in their home and of course the best one!
Sewing
At 1:30 I start setting up for the class. I am not sure where to do the sewing. I clear the table and lay out the supplies. Soon I glance outside and realize the ladies have arrived and are sitting on the mats under the trees. They want to sew outside and the light is better for my old eyes. I collect the kits I have prepared and take them outside. I start with three ladies and soon there are 8 ladies. Three more ladies come by when we are almost finished and say they want to learn too.
New Sewing Machines
The new sewing machines are assembled there under the trees too. New students show up. Chiwemwe is going to be a great teacher I can tell! Excitement is in the air! Everyone is excited about the opportunity to learn to sew.
Empowerment
One of the neighbors who is a businessman stopped by and said this is empowerment! These people will do well. You just have to get them started. More people have heard about the sewing workshop and have stopped to ask if they can learn too. We have a full class at the moment.
Charles, the young man next door came by on his bicycle. I asked him where he was going. He told me he was going to Manyamula. I gave him some kwatcha and a note to give to Wanangwa at her shop. He brings snacks back for all the students and a Diet Coke for me! I give him a tip. I am so spoiled!
Dinner
It’s getting dark now and everyone is leaving. Esther and I start the dinner preparations. I cook ground beef with green peppers and onions and rice. Esther cooks pumpkin leaves and soup. Our family returns and we all eat and share the happenings of the day.
Thirteen-year-old, Bless has malaria! So many around are getting malaria! Our new WBS lessons have been printed and delivered and we really need them. We have almost 100 students waiting for these lessons. And the last news is the car is still not fixed.
Lawrence and I spend some time on the computer and then we get ready for bed.