As we pulled up to the tree, I saw around 10 ladies gathered around placing bead after bead onto strands of string. I thought to myself this should be a fun ministry day. How many times do we get to make arts and crafts or even make my souvenir from the country I am in? Little did I know how God would use me in this ministry and better yet, use this ministry to touch my heart.
As I sat down, I immediately began to look over all the completed necklaces. I picked out my favorite ones and marveled over the other ones. Our interpreter told us how these ladies sit under this tree everyday and create this jewelry. Some of the ladies are married, some single, and some widowed. They all want to earn a stable income and be able to provide for themselves and for their families. The area they live is on the outskirts of the city in a very high density area. They range in ages from all over. They told us that they just started this business and had not had much profit from it yet. Before they start each day, they begin with Bible study. And as we sat there and talked about marriage, my heart began to resonate with these women. God began to work in my heart and I asked myself what I could I do to help these ladies? I took a couple of pictures of the women and the necklaces. I posted them on social media not thinking many people would respond, but God had a different plan. Several people replied interested in buying one and by the time I counted them all up, 50 necklaces had been sold in no time. I was so excited to return today and tell the women the good news. As soon as they were told, joy washed over the faces. The clapped and yelled and whistled in excitement. They began to sing worship songs in gratefulness. The lady over it said some of the women had given up hope that God would bless their hardwork, but today God has proven himself to be good. You see 50 necklaces might not seem like a lot to you and me, but to these women it means they are able to provide food and living for their families for weeks to come.
Even though we may not see the ways in which God can use us, all we have to do is be obedient and he will do the rest. Sometimes on the race, you can go weeks or days without seeing fruit from your ministry, but the days you do make it all worth it. Just as in life, when you least expect it, God can use you too.
Thank you to all of those who supported these ladies and purchased a necklace. I wish I could have captured their joy to share with you all.
