Outfits for Father's Day and Cards, too… from Africa!

Tim and Sue and girls finally returned after almost a week 

in Tanzania on a Safari and camping in the Serengeti!

They had a marvelous time and many memories to take

back to California with them. 

But today..  was the day to head back to the Market 

and get the skirts and shirts that were being made for them! 

Here is the first look and Tim already has his shirt on! 

The seamtresses and the results!

Smiles all around!  Not sure if they will wear these once they are home… but they sure look great on each of them here in Rwanda.

Then we were off to Cards from Africa!  
This is a portable water buffalo… quite clever!
During the dry season they must use these or they would
never have enough water to make the paper! 

The first step in the process is to actually make the paper
that the cards will be made from.  Lots of people donate scrap
paper and cardboard in Kigali and these guys turn it into gold… 

With a blender!!

Then they spread the new mixture on forms that will create the paper sheets!

After they dry they are stacked in racks…
of all different colors…
They use a dry dye to color them. 

Once they are dyed.. they are hung out to dry!
Well, in the rainy season they are hung "in" to dry!

Then once the paper is all done the workers design each card and start to cut out all the little pieces.  They make beautiful cards!
Many of you have probably received one from me. 

After Cards from Africa we headed back to the art studio to
pick up 2 metal animal structures that were to be ready for shipment back to America to the Chou residence but they weren't quite done properly!
On our way down the street….we looked up and saw the back of Telecom house where Bruce office is located.  

We called him and told him we were out back… and he came out on the "porch" with Suzanne and gave her a big hug for the camera.  Is he blushing?

These 2 dolls were watching me take pictures and thrilled we talked with them!

And THESE two packages were wrapped so tightly that i think they could have been
dropped out of the airplane and still arrived safely.
These were the two art objects that Tim and Sue bought…
and even though we all wondered if they would really arrive in
America…  They almost beat Tim and Sue home….
SkyNet was great! 

But it isn't time for them to leave yet…. 
Thank goodness!  

love,
margie

More than Sparrows! Before and After the AIC Visit!

"More Than Sparrows"!  

Mimi Wilson began working with this group of women 

several years ago

helping them escape a life of prostitution and poverty and 

begin to care for themselves and their families.

Since Mimi left Rwanda… Laura and Kristi have  

taken the reigns and have continued to nurture, 

train and love this group of about 30 women. 

Teaching them of the love of Christ and His forgiveness, 

teaching them how to run a business and

 and guiding them in decision making.

Today was our pre-visit for AIC before our scheduled
activity trip here later.   This little doll met
Kirsty and me at the door. 

This woman is making paper beads…
The small motor skills of these ladies…is
astonishing.  They cut slim triangular pieces of colored
paper and then being to wind them tightly…
and in the end the beads are formed!

 Here is the beginning of a little stuffed sparrow! 

This is the signature piece of More than Sparrows!

The ladies stitch them onto dish towels, too! 

They even make little Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus manger sets!

LOTS of Beads and Necklaces are designed here!
Each little bead hand made before stringing.

Another color of the Holy Family!

This huge order had just come in for place mats and napkins…
The ladies were working fast and furiously to complete the order.
These were so pretty and reversible, as well. 

A pile of sparrows and owls with strings of beads!
The African Fabrics are so colorful.

New lampshade designs!

Kirsty checking out the new mirror!  After she helped hang some new "limbs" to have a creative show place.

Then a couple of days later the rest of the gang came to visit!

In case you would like to order something. .. here is their number! 

Coming down to the house/store/workrooms!

 Laura was starting the tour and telling us some of the things i've written above! 

Laura is quite humble about all of this but her leadership is quite
invaluable to the whole NGO! 

Laura showing off some of the ladies' hand work! 

One of the sweet ladies!

Stitching away!
While sitting on the floor!!!!!!

Sitting on the Floor… holding the baby and still stitching away!!!

This is a piece of the triangular paper strips mentioned  
earlier!   This is how they make the beads.

I didn't get enough pictures of all the things these
ladies have designed and done but they are on
their way to creating a great business.

One day I just stopped in to buy some gifts and
the ladies … so happy that i had returned to see them
AND buy some of their products… broke into
spontaneous drumming and dancing!

It was wonderful and just simple joy!
I felt so blessed to see them rejoicing!
And it was fun to dance with them….

love,
margie

Tim and Sue and girls are returning soon…
so look for them next!

A Musical Evening at the Japanese Residence!

While Tim and Sue were here we were invited to the Japanese 

Residence for an evening of beautiful music! 

 A little rice wine for starters!

We were one of the first guests to arrive.

They had converted a lower living room area
into a small concert hall.

The Japanese Ambassador kicked off the evening with a welcome and then the singer and her accompanist
came down the circular staircase to begin their performance.
Many of the cabinet ministers and their wives/husbands were also there… ( in fact, we sort of wondered why we had been invited).

The vocalist was quite good! 

As well as the pianist!  

They did a variety of classical operatic music….

but when they did Amazing Grace… the whole room
exploded with applause!

Junko, the ambassador's wife, is a good friend from AIC
and I want to thank her and the ambassador for
including us in a wonderful evening.

It was very special!

Thanks again!

love,
margie

Back to Sue and Tim for the rest of the evening.

Modern Communication

Four people! Four cups of coffee!

Three computers and One Book! 

 What we have here is an
Outdoor Starbucks!!

Two Days of Exploring Kigali!

Today we chilled in the morning… but hit the Umubano hotel for lunch.  Three beautiful girls… We get a lot of attention wherever we go. 

 After lunch we took a short jaunt down the street to introduce Tim and Sue and girls to Carnegie Mellon University in Rwanda!

Wonder what this conversation was about? 

Looks like it was going both ways!

After Bruce's office..it was photo op time with THEE sign!
Fun….

and formal.

The next morning, Tim headed out with Bruce to work and we girls had our own day!
First stop… The AIC coffee morning at Kirsty's house!
Benu and Dima ready for coffee!

Pictures of other members at Kirsty's… 

More and more friends! 

The beautiful table spread!

 Ladies from all over the world….

 Turkey, Australia and the Netherlands….
with a difficult decision.
"But should we make more coffee or tea?"

Joelle and Antoinette!

Sue and Maria getting acquainted.

  Goodbye old board!!  You were wonderful!!
After the election…most of the new board represented here. 

 Always having fun together!

Sue found a new little love… Sherri's little friend!

Well, after the coffee… we headed for lunch and then
to the 5D theatre…at the top of the Kigali City Center.

Looking calm and collected!

This first time I did this I was scared to death….
so I wanted to see if others would have the same experience.
Sue wasn't sure at first… but then… 

She jumped on, too!    I stayed off to take pictures! 

So, it wasn't my imagination…
 This thing is better than a Disney ride….

         

                 It makes you laugh, grip the seat, and hang on for dear life!

And life is dear….and even more dear with 

long-time friends and family…

Whether they are friends and family from home or from

California or from around the world they are all 

dear and mean so much to us.  

The Lord has put so many people in our lives 

and being in Kigali has only added to that number with 

some very special ladies and gents.  I'm so glad that Sue and the 

girls got to meet a few of them today!  

And I'm so glad Sue and Tim and their family 

are here with us.

Love to all our friends and family!

margie