First Quilt of 2009

This is how much I love Valentine's Day.

Making Plans

Plans are in the works to return to Kenya at the end of March. I hope to get back to Amani Ya Juu. What a beautiful place that can inspire all the working women of Mathare. They are free to work at something they love and enjoy the community that it makes.

January is turning into a new kind of month for me. It's very good to be home and taking better care of things. We are so thankful. It's little quieter, but also a little more productive for me. I feel as though I've come out of retirement, back into the routine of being home. I so appreciate the rain today. I finally finished that bed quilt I started about 3 years ago. I finally figured out how to make bread. I've got my head into making a meal. I finished a book this morning. Sounds like a life.

Come Early!!

If for nothing else, come see the costmes!!

Merry Christmas

Nairobi Journal

November 16
It's cool and overcast. The open reserve next to the airport has giraffes in the distance. But I guess I'm feeling too serious to get excited about it. Or still tired.
Keith is laughing all the time. He's so glad to see Arty. I get the front seat. Tim is patient and engaged. I can be quiet. There's a lot of traffic and roundabouts and so may walking.
It all looks familiar. I don't know why. The slum even seemed familiar The people just looked tired to me. The troubled and sick side by side with the able and self-sufficient. But the smallest of children in the street were a shock. Some with no pants, no expression. Like life hadn't begun yet.
I didn't like to see the children. I was self-conscious. But I can't let myself think of it. I am what I am and I must also be a steward.
The school is community. They are the best that they have. It's the way we could be...

With the two women we met today, Naomi and Eliabeth in her regal purple, I knew there were others. And there are the ones who do not even know what abundant life can mean. I think Elizabeth knows.
Do I know?

I want this place to make me more at my own home. Why are we going to Kenya to find them?
I gave Kathy the coffee and tea.
She made us enchiladas.
She told me she is a mother. And then a missionary. Help her more Lord. Come and console and fulfill more.
Life always has us going higher.

Nairobi Journal

November 15

Remembering back to that Saturday night all I can think of is "I'm tired!" We hadn't even begun. But maybe that's just my memory. I was sick. The fires, the traffic, the drama aver the fires, the drama over the traffic. All of us were nervous about our tickets.
During all of this I called out to God, but it didn't carry assurance. I just called. Once. That's all the energy I had for it. Now with my new skill, I tried to forget about it. This is where you think God has a plan and though you're not for sure about why and how you have to rmember all the steps that got you here.
We had to walk through open doors after all that trial and prayer that comes before it.

I was sick before I got out of the car.
I slept the whole way to London. I began to feel better on the flight to Nairobi.

I am in the moment. No anxiety. Just watching things as they come.

Children of Mathare

In impossible circumstances, the children taught at the Hope Center are surrounded by dedicated people who love God. We felt very privledged to visit and develope friendships with those who love them.

Tim and I traveled with Eastside's own Santa Arty VanGeloof. He has so much to give because he lets all that he gets pass right through his hands. It's fun to watch him in action. Together with the Hams we schemed and dreamed about all that could be done in the future. The near future; because these children don't have time to wait. This was taken the first day we spent in Nairobi

A Few Shots of Taos

Long overdue, but still worth sharing. Tina and I went to New Mexico to have one of my favorite trips ever. We ate well, traveled well and shopped well. Got a little sight of fiber processing and took in the hand spun type crowd. There are so many doing lovely creative things. I'm hoping to share that enthusiasm with those I meet while traveling to Kenya this week. Tim and I are taking our turn going to the Mathare Valley and to visit the Hope Center. But have a look at the amazing woman of generous years that is hand shearing this ram.

Kazuri Beads

Tim Swaney took these shots and many more of the bead workshop called Kazuri Beads. The Brighton Jewelry company has struck water with the proceeds from their Clean Water promotion in Kibera, one of the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Karin's group from our church was in the neighboring Mathare slum. You can still find Brighton Kazuri Beads at Ear Abstracts in Yorba Linda and help the families in the slums of Nairobi.

Thanks for this Kim

Dyed and Spun Shetland

A Note About Nairobi

Thanks Paul, I know your thoughts come from your experience.
I certainly don't have any special quality to offer. But I'm willing.
Our plans have changed to travel in November. I hope to teach and/or encourage some possibly forgotten and abandoned fiber crafts. There is an active group who manage and oversee micro-business financing applications. I hope for a long term benefit for them, but also know that to make something useful and beautiful has meant everything to me. I know there are people who long to do the same. It is a luxury for many.

I hate that communities are stripped of their imagination and co-creation with God. Poverty is cruel and may even be death to the craftsman who can't work his craft. I have an abundance that is waiting to be received. They, in turn, have an abundance.

Karin's trip was full of joy. The faithful surrounded them and those who longed for community were free to join them. Hope Center is growing because of the need. And it's growing because people are acting out of love. I cannot stop and mourn the millions who need more. Or rather I mourn it as we meet together and do what we can. We gotta do what we can. ;)

What I've Spun

Nairobi's Hope

Have a look at what our friend Tim is doing in Nairobi:

www.timbuskey.blogspot.com

Karin will be leaving on the 20th for 2 weeks to The Hope Center. The video page tells of 120+ children that are being helped. The number in the past year has risen to over 2000.
I hope that you'll sponsor a child too.

www.hopemissionsintl.org

Tim and I are planning to go in September.

A Month of Spinning

I've begun.

What kind of seeds are bones?
that lay down in the earth to become earth
Then the texture of springs and things
unseen before-

The worst came to them
and they fell-
unthinkable to reverse their purpose
an insult to their creation

We are not in the time of knowing
it is not to be said
what comes of calcium and withered marrow
But if bones are seeds once hatched from
creations painful roots
We will see its planting
and after its fullness
rest ourselves beneath its shade.

Couldn't Everyone Use One of These?

He is continuing,

my friend is extended.
The cries in mystery lay idle.
But revealed when he touched them.

He is transforming-

my friend is overturned
by grace which lies
amongst soiled creation, given eternity in time.

He is dying.

My friend is prophetic.
The passing can't be flesh
as bones do; dry and whitened.

He is living-

my friend is writing courage.
The law of justice pressing
light from darkness; words to action.

Again

My friend Joel is writing again. You should read him.

Guild

This Saturday I'll be teaching Sweater Finishing at the Knotty Knitters Guild.
Ten techniques makes Teddy's sweater loaded with tags.
Say that five times fast!

Life is going well. April is always a good month for me. Matt will be doing Driver's Ed and Karin will be done with school in a few short weeks. Me too for that matter.
I'll soon have all of my garments made and a few patterns drafted as well.
Coachella in a couple weeks.
Back yard almost done.

Good month.

Clothing 201

Mark, stitch, cut carefully.
Yeah, I've got the welt pocket down... and thankfully I've learned to make the jacket fit! I'm using woolen that belonged to my Aunt Mary Alice. She would be proud of me and eager to see this new technique.

I'm off to Sante Fe, New Mexico for a week. I'll be learning from Ann Budd and taking pictures of the missions.
La Lana Wools and Georgia O'Keefe...