An unexpected blessing can touch our lives in many ways.
Sometimes it can be spoken as a word of encouragement,
and sometimes it can arrive in a box!
Several years ago the Sew*Quilt*Share ministry at our church
learned that girls in many third would countries miss a week of
school each month because they lack access to feminine hygiene products.
By using handmade cloth feminine pads that are both washable and re-usable,
these girls have the opportunity to continue attending school.
The reality of their situation is that an education is one of the few hopes
these girls have to rise above extreme poverty.
Back in August of 2013, a cloth feminine pad tutorial was posted on
this blog with hopes of easily sharing the pattern with women who sew in my community.
To help spread the word a photo was also posted to Pinterest.
By posting this information on the internet,
would others in the online community be inspired to sew as well?
Much to my surprise there have been thousands of hits to that tutorial
including many questions and comments from readers, but no real evidence of results.
And then.....it happened!
God began to stir in the hearts of those who sew and "unexpected blessings" began to arrive!
Kathy who blogs at "Household How To" recently sent these lovely pads.
She has been making pads for years and has posted a tutorial
which includes sewings tips you may find helpful.
She has been making pads for years and has posted a tutorial
which includes sewings tips you may find helpful.
Great minds must think alike. This package arrived at the church
on the same day our Sew*Quilt*Share group met to sew pads!
It was sent by Molly who lives in California!
These colorful pads were sent by Melissa from South Dakota.
She included a lovely hand written note:)
Brigitte and her "Sit & Sew"group made these lovely pads.
There was much excitement when we noticed the package
had came all the way from Australia!
Victoriana from Nevada, and her church sewing class
sent a total of 200 pads! Thank you for your generosity!
A total of 69 pads arrived from the Smith's in Saint Paul, MN.
Thank you!
These beautiful pads were sent to us by Annette in Arkansas.
Don't you just love those rich colors?
This box filled with 167 pads recently arrived from Michigan!
Enclosed was a letter from seventeen year old Christina,
who is a member of the American Sewing Guild Greater Detroit Chapter.
Along with the assistance of her sewing mentor Ilene, Christina
inspired fellow members of the Taylor Downriver Neighborhood Group
to sew cloth feminine pads as a service project. Thank you ladies!
Casey from Alabama sent a box of pads which included
this heartfelt inspirational note. Blessings to you Casey!
If you cannot read the note,
please click on the photo to enlarge it.
Donna and Debbie, a mother and daughter from Pennsylvania
sent these pads made from a variety of pretty fabrics.
A box recently arrived from Erie, Colorado with 41 pads made
from beautifully coordinated fabrics. There was no
card enclosed or name on the return address.
Thank you for your kindness!
Edith in Louisiana sent these lovely pads. She also
enclosed a heartwarming handwritten note:)
Natalie, who attends college in Michigan, recently sent a box of pads
that she made over Christmas break. I received an email from Natalie in which she said,
"I was so struck by the fact that these girls have to miss school
because of a natural bodily function - and that there was a way to help them.
I hope I can make a difference for these girls!"
Once she returned to school, Natalie inspired fellow college students
along with members of the "Tidings of Comfort" quilt club at College Baptist Church to sew pads.
This box contained 200 pads!
Imagine our surprise when less than a week later a second box arrived
from College Baptist Church containing an additional 313 pads!
Our deepest thanks to all who sent an "unexpected blessing"!
Would you consider sewing 10 (or more) cloth feminine pads to sponsor a girl?
Your gift of fabric and time will make a significant difference in the life
of a young girl in Haiti.
Please visit these links to learn more :
Cloth feminine pad tutorial
Cloth feminine pad tutorial
May you always Sew in Peace!
Hi Sandy! How nice of you to serve others:) Kay and I are blogging again...just could not stay away. I hope things are going well for you...happy sewing! Stop over to my blog sometime I love visitors also. I have so much catching up to do, I always have enjoyed your posts!
ReplyDeleteSandy,
ReplyDeleteAre you still doing this? Can I send them when I'm done to OH address?
Hi I'm interested in sewing some pads and sending them to you are you still taking them. Thank you
ReplyDelete