From Rags to Stitches...

We, as mzungu's, cannot begin to wrap our minds around the kind of life they live.  We can go, we can feed, we can talk to them, we can clothe them... but then we go home.  We go to our warm house, with a pantry FULL of food, and sleep in a bed with plenty of cover under a roof keeping us from the harsh elements.  

This past week as we went about our usual visit to Kawangware to feed the street boys we took a few extra items.  We'd been collecting clothing for the boys for a few months now and the RFBC team brought so many that we finally had enough for everyone.  We had maybe 10-12 pairs of shoes so not enough to give them all "viatu".  We called them back one by one to receive their new [to them] clothes.  We were able to give them at least 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs of pants/athletic shorts and most got socks.  Some of them immediately threw their arms around our necks saying "Tank you! Tank you so much!"  Like an American kid seeing new toys on Christmas morning--they couldn't wait to try on their new clothes.  They started throwing off their jackets and pants leaving them in the floor.  Teri and I just stood there starring at some of their clothes.  I picked up one little pair of shorts and looked at Teri.  

Her eyes began to fill with tears.  With the Holy Spirit's prompting I found myself collecting these filthy clothes most westerners might have found repulsive.  I made sure they understood that if they gave me their clothes I would wash them but they would have to do without them for 1 entire week.  Before I knew it, I was loading up 2 huge bags of clothes that made a vile odor in the car.  It was a familiar smell to me and yet

 one I was unacquainted with at the same time.  The familiar smell was one of the past.  What was it?  I know- it was the smell of my homeless patients that would come into the ER.  The unfamiliar smell, I couldn't quite put my finger on.  Maybe it was the combination of sewage, glue, sweat, oil, mud, and dirt on their clothes.  I gave all 4 loads some time to soak.  In fact I soaked then changed the water 4 times.  Then I washed them in the washer, each load twice, with an extra scoop of soap and bleach for colors.  The outcome: a stained/dirty washer and a humbled heart.  As I contemplated whether or not I should wash them for a third time with 2 extra scoops of soap, I concluded that no matter how much I soaked and washed their clothes in fragrance or dried with with many drier sheets- that smell would not go away.  Then it hit me.  That smell is the smell of the people Christ came to save.  These are the very ones that Jesus was caught eating with.  Is was fascinated with the thought that that might actually be a beautiful smell to him.  

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (mark 2:17)  

I wondered when the last time was they had their clothes washed.  Maybe this is a new ministry... simple, huh?  Washing clothes.  

I was listening to a song today by Hillsong that I hadn't really paid close attention to.  As a matter of fact you've all heard it in a 100 Christian

 songs.  The line says this "I'll give you everything I AM".  So I was thinking.  What am i?  I am a housewife, daughter, sister, missionary and nurse.  But what else am i?  What can i do?  I am a knitter and a tailor!  (Okay- so I'm not great at it but I can do it).  So if I'm going to give Him everything that i am- then how can I glorify HIM with those?  

Well, just maybe I can sew some street kids clothes!   

I knew as soon as I saw those little shorts I could repair them!  Today I sewed the pieces that were repairable like the little pair of shorts in the picture above.  Can I tell you that I have never received joy in sewing like I did today sewing those clothes.  I really enjoyed making my niece a smock out of a khanga, but let's face it- she has tons of other clothes.  I got the privilege of repairing clothing that is among very few possessions.  I got the privilege to pray of every article of clothing; that one day th

ey might notice that someone stitched up their clothing because they are wanted and loved ENOUGH.  They are loved by a Savior who wants to sit at their table and eat with them!