A possible product and a first excellent week

I am always curious to see what the teachers will do with each new class and after our first week I am surprised and delighted. Liane our lead sewing teacher is full of ideas and she wasted no time in putting them to work. Using scraps of African print cloth we were given she guided them in their first stitching project, some beautiful and useful cell phone or sunglasses or whatever you want to do with it drawstring bag. Hmm! not only lovely to look at and adaptable but maybe a commercial idea. Next week they will begin work on skirts that with many features. Liane believes less is more and she wants them to make things they can use and make them excellently. She aims to have them begin work on their graduation garment as early as possible to give them all the time they need for outstanding work.

Moving to our computer instructor, Mandisa has outlined a thorough program and I am impressed with the confident way she runs her class. Two years ago she requested a projector to assist her because we cannot afford computer text books for each student. Mandisa's dream is to get enough experience so she can go back home to the Eastern Cape and help here people there.

In addition to our Evangeline classes she tutors other people from the surrounding communities who come to her for instruction at a low cost. We also have English classes which I teach and that is the slowest start of all because it is the most difficult of the lessons for the women, but i am greatly encouraged.

Bibles for All

Bible Joy
Today I had such a challenge as I tried to buy a Soto Bible. two weeks ago as I prepared for the new class I made a 45 minute journey to the Bible Society offices in the heat of this summer to purchase 16 Xhosa and two English Bibles. Why did I make that long trip when I could have ordered the Bibles on the phone? One good reason is that we had started class and I needed them right away. The better reason is that I loved going to buy the Bibles. I felt such an sense of accomplishment after I had paid for my purchases and all the more because for 18 of the 20 students, this was the very first time they would have a Bible. And then when I thought I was done, one student asked today, if she could have a Soto Bible. I had forgotten I needed another version.
When I went to the local store I was confused by the titles and for a while did not know what to do because the Bible in my hand was labelled "Northern Soto." The sales people were somewhat amused when I asked if there was a "Southern Soto." The point is that we at Evangeline Ministries want the students to read of God's love for them in their own language. And it works so well. I give them a short passage and after silent reading they tell me which words speak to their hearts and they get it right almost every time. And that is what we want for them to see the life-giving words for themselves. As I told them, I want them to be the best Sewing, Computer and English students but most of all I want them to know how much God loves them and how much hope there is as they trust in God and in the Savior who came to demonstrate that love.

Computer excitement

First Day at Computer Class
When I first met Mandisa Tshapela (seen here leading the class) I was so impressed with her determination to succeed. She heard I needed a computer teacher and she kept after me until I gave her a chance. She has proved to be an outstanding teacher and loves to teach the women. No one was more excited than her on the first day of class as she welcomed twenty students for their first computer lessons.
As well Mandisa has her own class of private students, she is already at work planning to start another class in the township where she lives. When we decided to double our students working with Masicorp, we believed some would not want to work on the computer but to our delight all did and they are some of the most eager students we have had to date. For all of them this is a first and what a privilege it is for us to be a part of this program that gives these women who are in such need, their big chance.

Welcome Back

Welcome Back
To all of you who follow this blog and how good it was to say welcome back to our Evangeline class, now the first Evangeline and Masiphumelele Corporation and Trust (Masicorp) Class of 2012. Eighteen students turned up to begin their English, Computer and Sewing classes and we were so pleased to welcome our new sewing teacher Liane who replaces our dear Rachel. She joins Namgamso, Mandisa, Paul and myself to complete the teaching team.(photo-l-r: Wendy, Paul,Mandisa, Namgamso and Liane) On hand also to greet the class was Andrew Smith, the tallest one in the picture, Chief Executive officer of Masicorp. As I studied the more than 24 applications that came to us, I realized more than ever before how much this class is needed. Two people out of the total applicants had a part time job-the others are unemployed and almost unemployable since only one was able to complete high school successfully. Each one wrote of her high hopes after she finished the class and we will do our best to meet their expectations. All had come because of our reputation in the community and one woman wrote that "your graduates are role models in Masiphumelele." Another student was hoping to use the skills she learned to help propel her to university. I was so moved when I met one of the students and she told me she was most excited about the Bible Study. Evangeline Ministries works to give excellent skills, something that attracted Masicorp to us, but above all we want to give that hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ who loves us all unconditionally regardless of how rich or poor or HIV affected we are. The life abundant He offers is what we offer!