As we walked through the slums of the city today through rows of 4’x5’ shacks where it is just possible to lie down to sleep or stand up, it led us to a building with a heart of pure gold because God’s love dwelt there. A room filled to capacity with beautiful ladies from all faiths of Christian, Moslem and Hindu learning together around a wall lined in sewing machines.
God inspired the pastor’s wife to start this Empowering Women’s Tailoring ministry three years ago regardless of the woman’s religious background. For six months they teach widows, women raising their children without support of the father and single women to sew that they might have a profession to earn a living. As most of these women are uneducated they can only earn a living by cleaning homes for a mere $20 a month! After they graduate from this ministry they can start their own small business or work in the garment industry where they will earn $35 a week.
On graduation they are given the gift of their own sewing machine which costs the church $100. The church also pays $50 for a lifetime insurance on the machine.
What an awesome investment in the Kingdom of God as the ladies are also ministered to through sharing the Word and support in prayer. This not only effects the individual woman’s life but also whole households as they share God’s goodness with their families.
After sharing my testimony of God’s love and faithfulness I offered to pray with them for their needs. We spent almost an hour ministering to almost thirty of them for spiritual, physical and relationship needs in their households. After ministry we spent fun time around the sewing machines. Although a seamstress it had been a long time since I used a treadle sewing machine!
Not all these women graduate with a commitment to Christ but they do leave with a witness of God’s love they will never forget.
As we said our goodbyes I left with a humble heart overflowing with gratitude for having spent time with these precious ladies through sharing, prayer and just having fun together through our love of sewing as God knit our hearts together.
If you feel you would like to sow seed into this awesome ministry by purchasing a sewing machine please contact us and we will put you in touch with the church.
Leave a Comment