I am sharing my experiences of connecting with some special women. I was
asked to write this article two years ago while I was making slipcovers for a
customer in Columbia, SC. We just started talking and sharing life events. Among
some of the many things we talked about was a recent trip I had taken to South
Africa.
Because of my sharing witness of the strong faith of the people I met, she told me about her involvement in The Bible as a teacher and as writer. When I finished the slipcovers, she had given me a copy of the magazine she writes for and an invitation to share experiences of my trip to South Africa.
Last week I again made a slipcover for this customer. Again she asked me to write the article for her magazine. This time I am. I'm taking time to share my story in writing---for me, for you, and to repay this special woman for the gift that she gave me -- the gift of a guide for reading The Bible with understanding, appreciation, direction, and spiritual growth. It was her guide to relational Bible study (Bible Basics by Nancy Boyle).
And now for South Africa. In 1998 I traveled with fifty Americans to a small township in answer to a call from a special woman who wanted help for her people. Nomalanga requested help from Americans -- help for her people to attain the skills to become full participants in their newly acclaimed freedom.
The previous year, Dr. Peola Drews of Orlando, Florida had read this call for help in the American Counseling magazine. After visiting and seeing the gravity of the community needs, she promised to return with Americans who would have the skills to inform the people in Nomalanga's township of 20th Century programs, institutions, procedures and technical advice.
People from eight states made up the American team. They were lawyers, counselors, ministers, teachers, and nutritional, medical, business, and financial folks. We stayed two weeks. We met, we connected, we worked, we sang and played. And together we learned -- we learned things about ourselves and one another.
My role was to provide resources as a school counselor and a small business owner. These experiences were some of the most rewarding of my life. Most of the people that I worked with were women. And most of them were poor. I led several sessions on starting a sewing business.
During the first session when we talked about goals, their business goals were different from ones I had in mind. They talked about their goals and what they would be able to do for their children and the family. I really felt like we were making a greater difference when working with the woman to be a productive means of income. As a source of income the woman becomes more valuable and her esteem and treatment is elevated; thus the entire family is benefitted and abuse of women and children is decreased.
Thank you, Nancy Boyle, for connecting and sharing.
Carol Brooks of Columbia, SC is a member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, volunteers with American Red Cross as a trainer/educator, volunteers as Guardian Ad Litem, owns a small business, and is a retired School Counselor.