TLM SEWING CLASS 2008.

In January, 2007 TLM held its first sewing class at a church in Guadalupe, MX. We had 25 eager students and the whole week was a wonderful experience. We developed friendships with our students and experienced the sisterhood in Christ that has no language barriers, no racial prejudices, and no economic snobbery. We couldn't wait to see our dear friends again in 2008 for the next year's class. We didn't believe it would be possible to outdo the joy of the Lord and the elation we experienced in 2007. But, we were incredibly surprised in 2008 and learned once again. NEVER PUT LIMITS ON WHAT GOD CAN DO!

In 2008 we held not one, not two, but THREE sewing classes in Guadalupe, once again at the same church. A church that less than 3 weeks earlier had experienced a major fire destroying the pastor's office, the library, the children's classrooms, and storage areas, but, miraculously spared the sanctuary and dining hall. Classes went on as scheduled.

In 2007 we gave the students older used machines that were donated from garage sales etc. and needed constant attention to work. This year we still had some used machines but, God provided us with 48 brand new machines to give to the students. From garage sales, church bulletin notices, and just word of mouth we were blessed with enough donations to fill almost half a semi trailer with sewing machines, tons of fabric, every kind of sewing notions imaginable, lace and trim, zippers, elastic, Velcro, buttons, thread, sewing scissors, sewing baskets, and patterns. All for the sewing classes.

Invitations were sent out to three different churches in Guadalupe. Three churches who previously had never held a combined event in the community. The response was incredible. We had to limit the class size to 24 students, each with 8 students from each church in each class. Our theme for the week was UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CHRIST. We used Romans 15: 2, 5-7 as our scriptural guide:

"Each of us should please his neighbor to build him up." "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Accept one another as Chris accepted you to bring praise to God."

Class began each day with praise and devotions time. To be honest, we used the sewing class as a lure to bring the ladies together. We had the ladies split up so that they sat with people from the other churches at their sewing tables. At lunchtime we instructed them to sit with someone they did not know and make new friends. When class reconvened after lunch we asked them to introduce the rest of us to their new friends and tell us about them. The Holy Spirit took over from there.

Our talk sessions turned into prayer sessions and several times outlasted our sewing sessions. As we met one another, eventually, we learned of their problems, the hurting, the heartache, and a desperate need to know the Lord personally. Women dealing with abusive husbands, and dangerous home environments. (One woman's husband was trying to force her to have an abortion.), extreme financial hardships, physical disabilities and illnesses were just some of the issues found hiding behind the beautiful smiling faces of these ladies from Guadalupe. Through the unity of prayer, we sisters in Christ watched as the Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way and transformed lives. We witnessed as 10 ladies gave their lives to Christ, 8 others were slain in the Spirit and received deeper blessings from our Heavenly Father. One lady was miraculously delivered from a spirit of witchcraft and turned her life over to Christ. We even saw how one of our alumni, who had been rushed to the hospital earlier that day with a brain aneurism, was healed by the Holy Spirit when the group prayed for her. Her three, unsaved daughters came back to the church to report that Mama had already been discharged from the hospital , after the doctors had given them little hope earlier. All three daughters accepted Christ that day.

Our ladies told us again and again how they left their problems at home for those few days. They were happy, having fun, making new friends, and feeling pretty with the new clothes they had made. They called sewing class "the best therapy." One young boy, around 12, told us how his entire family cried for joy the night before because they had never seen Mama so happy. The curtains she had made in class were so beautiful and they hung them proudly for her in their very humble home. She couldn't wait to get back to class to sew more. This was a lady who was afraid to leave her home before.

At the end of the 2 weeks all three classes were invited back for a fashion show, graduation fiesta, and a ladies' dream-come-true shopping spree; a shopping spree where everything was free!! The ladies loaded up huge shopping bags full of fabrics, patterns, thread, lace and trims, elastic, Velcro, zippers, buttons, etc. All items to help them continue sewing with the sewing machines each had been given. They also received a certificate of completion for the class along with a Spanish Bible and a 5 lesson Bible study guide in Spanish. The pastor's wives were given leaders guides and asked to continue with the unity in the community through Christ by holding inter-denominational Bible studies in their churches and inviting others in the community to attend.

Preparation for the three classes took a great deal of time and effort to solicit donations, purchase items, sort and pack fabrics, to coordinate the shipment of everything through a wonderful trucker and his wife from Iowa, scheduling the classes etc. etc.

Was it worth it? ABOSOLUTELY!

Would we do it again? IN A HEARTBEAT!

This year we had to turn people away. Other missions' ministries and pastors from other churches in other communities have expressed interest in our holding classes for them as well. They are so excited to have a ministry that teaches the people how to help themselves. A hand-up, not a hand-out. The success of this ministry is reflected in the class of 2007. Almost ALL of the students continue to sew for their families. FIVE of our students are now enrolled in the local community college and are expanding their sewing skills and learning fashion design with hopes of starting their own businesses and creating jobs for others in the community.

Our prayer was to bless the ladies with some skills and the tools necessary to provide for their families and perhaps even earn a living, while giving them a bit of praise and worship time. But, God has taken this sewing class in little Guadalupe, MX and HE has used it in a mighty way to bring fellowship, friendship, therapy, healing, both spiritual and physical, and to bring unity in this community as only our Heavenly Father can. We have only seen what transpired in the 2 weeks in January. Only God know what will develop from these experiences in their lives, and ours in the months and years ahead. Perhaps, these ladies will make the clothes or even teach the children at the orphanage how to sew.

How will God use all this to further His kingdom?

I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT!

Solemente por la Gloria de Dios.!!

If you'd like more information on how to become involved with the sewing ministry at TLM please read the related article in this newsletter or feel free to contact me at user@example.com or call me at 1- 763-754-8044

It costs approximately $100 per student to supply all their needs for the class. (And that's with the assumption most items will be donated.)

Please consider cleaning out your sewing room, your closets, (Think about it; the stuff you know you'll never use!) gather things from yours or others loved ones' estates. Contact friends and neighbors. Put notices in your church bulletins, at the local stores, at the library, contact quilters clubs, etc., Ask Upholstery shops for their remnants. (You can get beautiful pieces of fabric there that usually get thrown out!)

Go to garage sales and ask for donations, even if they don't have items out; ask them if they have any fabric or other sewing items. Many times they didn't put it out because they didn't think it would sell.

That's how we filled almost 1/2 a semi trailer full in 2008.

Don't limit yourself on what to give or solicit due to the fact you don't have the means to transport it to Fabens, TX. Pray about it. Ask God to provide what you will need and when you will need it. Pray for a driver with a hitch, a trailer, or even a Semi and see what God can do. We did, and God provided an entire semi truck and trailer complete with driver! If it can happen in Minnesota and Iowa it can happen anywhere! Just trust God to make it happen.

Don't be shy. Remember it's not about us. It will be an incredible blessing to some wonderful people. So, take that first step in faith and hang onto your socks as you see what God can and will do.

Thank you in advance for blessing this ministry.

New Sewing Machines (around $75.00 price range)

Used machines only if in excellent working condition. Portable or cabinet models accepted.

Fabric of ANY kind.

Some suggestions: Cottons, cotton knits, wools, knits, polar fleece sweatshirt fleece, denim, corduroy, lining, knit ribbing,. Polyesters, polyester knits, gabardine, (we prefer at least 1/2 yard pieces or larger)

vinyl, upholstery, excellent condition used curtains, drapes etc.

Pillow forms or old throw pillows to be re-covered.

Sewing baskets or Tins to use for baskets

Good quality sewing scissors

Pins and Pin cushions

Hand sewing needles

Universal Sewing Machine Needles

Metal Sewing Bobbins

Sewing gauges

Tape measures

Seam rippers

Thread- partial spools, large and small, thread cones all colors and weights

Zippers of any kind

Lace, trims, rickrack, bias tape eyelet

Tailor's chalk

Elastic, Velcro, snaps, hooks and eyes and other closures

BUTTONS, BUTTONS, BUTTONS all shapes and sizes. (Buttons are very hard to come by there.)

Patterns of any kind for all ages and sizes

Pattern books

Interfacing, shoulder pads, miscellaneous sewing items

Scissors sharpeners

Or

Cash donations of any amount. ( Approximately $100.00 will provide for 1 student)

Make donations payable to Tapestries of Life Ministries and note in the Memo line:

"FOR SEWING CLASSES"