Seneyo's Sewing Machine

Seneyo's Sewing Machine ~



Seneyo is a very quiet and shy widow. In our group of 30 Maasai widows, she was the only one who couldn't think of a way to generate income for her and her children. She was eager, to be sure, but totally lacking in the confidence to try something new. Each month, as she participated in the trainings and fellowship with the other widows, she grew in her new faith. She began to share testimony that she was beginning to experience HOPE for the first time. Each month, she asked God to take her small faith and her small hope and transform her. Joseph and I prayed for an idea.

Then, a group of women in Indiana, contacted me. They are a group of sewing ladies, who wanted to bless a widow in some way. The idea was born! Seneyo lives in a village with no sewing machine. In fact, in the closest market village of Mairowa, there is only one sewing machine. Joseph and I knew that if Seneyo had a machine, she could have a profitable, small sewing business. In the villages, their shukas and school uniforms are in constant need of repair. So, the group of women in America gave the resources to purchase the machine, other supporters of the program donated thread, and we had a wife of one of our church planters donate sewing lessons.

So on September 8th, we presented Seneyo with her sewing machine. (By the way, it works by foot pedal, no electricity needed!) She was trying so hard not to cry....crying is not something Maasai do, certainly not in public. The other widows broke out in song and prayer.

Sweet Seneyo on the left in blue...allowing herself tears of thankfulness.

The rest of the celebration....

Rebeka's Plow ~

Rebeka Ngushai is one of the widows in the Tanzania Widow Project. Each of the thirty Maasai widows in the program worked with myself and Joseph Ng'ida, my ministry partner, to identify an income generating activity. Rebeka has a small plot of land called a shamba. Early on, she told us that she wanted to grow vegetables. As there are very few people growing vegetables in her village, we knew that Rebeka could not only feed her family, but make a profit selling the vegetables. Finally, this would allow her to send her children to school.

Rebeka completed the Farming God's Way course and is learning micro-enterprise concepts. Next step - receiving her plow! This plow, which is pulled by cattle, will allow her to plant her entire shamba.

On the day we presented Rebeka with her plow, she was completely surprised. When I made the announcement and Joseph pushed the plow out, she just grabbed onto the handle, I think to keep from falling down! She was literally speechless. What was amazing was the celebration. The other widows burst out in song, dance, laughter and praise. They were celebrating the blessing their dear friend received and thanking God for the transformation that is taking place amongst them. It is an honor to witness such love and genuine JOY.