All Things Dominican Republic Missions

What an amazing trip to DR! it is wonderful to be able to travel again. 

I know I shared these photos on Facebook, but many of you are not on that social media so I need to share here. This was the hardest trip to give out dresses and I even brought some home for the next trip! I contemplated not bringing them all but then you know, I would have wished I had them! 

I wasn't able to get as many photos as I have in the past either. 

The mother was ecstatic! I think the little girl was tired. 

Here was one of the 2 classrooms I was able to give out dresses. 

The boys got beanie babies. 

When I saw this, I knew I'd have to go in! Aren't they adorable?

Can she fit in my suitcase?! 

The checked shirts/uniforms were so cute. Check out that little boy on the left. I'm going to need a bigger suitcase! lol

These were the only dresses I had! I laughed that the dresses turned to blouses. Cory helped me and we were rushed. They still look cute!

The reason I had a hard time giving out the dresses is the schools we went to were very large!

There wasn't enough for everyone!

The last time we were able give quite a bit away at the festival. This time felt harder. Someone would see you giving someone something and then you'd have a swarm around you. So I had to be discreet.

I had some totes with me and when I snapped the photo I had to chuckle. The bag had dresses in it and school supplies for the older girl.

Beanie babies pack well and make every kid smile!

Hot wheels turned out to be good too! The kids were even happy with their notepads. 

We gave out lots of pencils, many dresses, beanie babies and cars. So many times we had to be brief and not have photo ops. 

The dedication of the water well is always a highlight for me. We take so much for granted and it is hard to realize not everybody has access to water or clean water. It is wonderful to be a part of that. 

Pre dedication photo with a drone. (not mine)

It is a special time for the village. 

They put on a special show for us. 

Most everyone went home on Sunday but we opted to stay for 2 more days to unwind and relax. It was a good choice! 

It has been a busy year full of change and it was an extra special time for us. 

I made a short youtube if you want to watch it:

https://youtu.be/59ciIYDaMeQ

Thank you to all who have supported this trip in any way! I appreciate it so much!!

I'll be holding the dresses until next time I have an opportunity to give them away. 

I am truly blessed! Thanks for coming alongside me!

 

Upcoming on Humble Quilts

 Good morning!

I will be presenting to Flying Geese Quilters guild in Irvine,  CA  on Monday August 8th at Jeffrey Trail Middle School, 155 Visions. Irvine, CA 92620. 

Social time starts at 6PM.  If you are anywhere nearby, please come! My trunk show is 

"Glory Bee! Patriotic Quilts from my Collection"  I'm very excited!

Do you know I have a pattern available for this quilt? I've also put together some little patriotic scrappy starter packs that equal 1 yard. Let me know if you'd like more information. 

****September 22, 2022 I'll be at Marys River Quilt Guild in Philomath, Oregon. 

My final fundraiser book sale will start on August 12th. Thank you to all who have donated to the cause! My husband and I are both doing the mission trip this year. Any extra funds raised will be donated to the water well project! Hard to believe not all people have access to clean drinking water!!

This is just a handful. I've got some great books!

Pillowcase dresses- I have many to bring with me to Dominican Republic. 

One of the neighborhoods we provided with water! Not only did they get water, but the government will now allow them to have a school!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Feelin' Good on A Friday

These photos brought me so much joy this week! 

Our missionary friends (who we sewed washable pads for ) finally made it back to the Ivory Coast. 

2020 was quite the journey for them trying to get home to Oregon to be with a dying parent, trying to maneuver closed borders and such. It was a whirlwind.

But they are "home" and she shared a few photos on facebook that made me smile. 

I love the woman with the cloth measuring tape around her neck. That's exactly what I do with mine!

Angelika says they are sewing clothing for their children.

With that I thought I better share a photo of the children! 

They are precious in His sight!

Maybe in 1 year I'll be getting ready to go on my mission trip. 

Have a joyous weekend!

 

Dignity Days Sewing

Some of you may remember when a few friends and myself got together to sew washable pads for Dignity Days in the Ivory Coast.

 If you haven't been here that long and you want to know more, click HERE. 

We made quite a few, enough to get the idea off the ground. 

It was always Agelika's hope and prayer some women could start a little cottage industry in the village where they are missionaries. 

I just got these photos this past weekend!

 

I love it when I hear of a vision and that vision becomes reality! Hopefully more girls will be able to stay in school and these pads will make a gentler impact to the environment in the Ivory Coast of Africa. 

Have an amazing week!

Taboo Topic- Period Poverty and More

If you have been following my blog for any length of time it should not surprise you that I am on our church mission board.  This past weekend I had the privilege to help coordinate a World Evangelism weekend event. I'd be lying if I said I didn't lose any sleep over it! LOL As far as church goes I don't go overboard introducing myself to special speakers or missionaries. 

But I was involved in this in a big way and I'm so glad I was. 

I got to know Angelika better. Her and her husband are working in the Ivory Coast and she shared her heart with us on Saturday about her ministry with women. Did you know that girls miss a lot of a school because of their menstrual cycle? Looks at these astonishing statistics from 2015!Quiltworks, that does the monthly exhibit was having sew days called "Days for Girls" so I have heard about how we can help.

What Angelika has found to be the best for their situation and area is this:

And they fold up small so she can take a lot back with her. 

She has already sent me the sewing instructions and gave me info about the fabric. We are trying to avoid synthetics that have chemicals.  If you have any experience with this, please fill me in!

I am waiting to hear back from https://www.naturesfabrics.com/3d-chevron-1-mil-pul.html about the PUL they use. It is a smooth resistant fabric. 

and for the pad portion I am waiting to hear from https://www.diapersewingsupplies.com/bamboo-fleece-fabric/.

I'm hoping if I can get the right kind of materials I'd organize a sew day at my church. I think we could make a lot of them in just a few hours.

And here are some amazing dresses Janet made for my next mission trip!

I did find out that MSI, who I usually go with, will not be going with a team until 2020! Yikes!!

One of our other missionaries brought a Pastor from Uganda with them and they'd love for me to come in June! BTW, His shirt felt very stiff, like a wax resist. Isn't it awesome!!? At this time I am not planning on any trips to Africa. 

Make it a fantastic week!

Fun on a Friday!

It would be way more fun if I would have had a chance to sew this week, but I am grateful our business is staying busy and putting food on the table for several families.
 I've been enjoying the outside more too now that the weather is summery!! I may switch to posting 2x week for the next couple of months.

 Little bits and pieces of the Sweet Land of Liberty quilt. 

This is a quilt by Country Threads I made in 2001 and was quilted by Bonnie Hunter (when she still quilted as a business) It is a favorite quilt of mine. And I found the book the other day and it will be for sale next week, right here on my blog. with some others.

Here is a generous stack of goodies that  Donna sent to me for my next mission trip. It won't be until 2019 but I'll be ready! That is also why I'm starting early with the book sale as a fundraiser. Thank you so much Donna!!

See what I mean by summery weather? The one thing I appreciate is we have very low humidity in Central Oregon. The Sisters show will be a hot one, but that is pretty normal for mid July. Most of the time it is in the 90's. Just need to cover up and drink lots of water. I'm so excited!

Here's my Instagram feed for this week. It's been a good week!

And here is my son in Alaska showing us a biggy king salmon. He is working setting nets for Kenai Cannery until the end of the month. 

Have a wonderful weekend my dear friends!!