27 Days and Counting

"Needles" is the theme for the day. I bought out the local JoAnn's supply of the size and brand needed for the machines used by the students in Cape Town. Hopefully, they will restock so I can get more before I go.

Then there are the immunization needles! OK, so the question is this....to get stuck or not and where (geographically, not bodily)? Of course, I would prefer to get immunizations here, but I don't like getting any shot that isn't necessary. It seems there are no immunizations required for travel to Cape Town, but there are several recommended by the CDC. And it seems, South African officials are somewhat prone to looking at your immunization certificate and if they don't see one they think you might need to get into the country, they stick you with their vaccine. The problem then, is the quality and safety of their vaccine.

I've had them all before and some are not still viable but I remember how a couple of them hurt. Guess I'll get the immunization certificate out and see just how out-of-date they are. I'll probably get the HepA and fore-go the Yellow Fever since it is only required if you are arriving from an infected area. I haven't heard of any outbreaks in VA, have you?

Thanks to my church and our local association for their assistance and support! Thanks to a special friend for her generous gift toward buying needed sewing supplies. Since this trip has all come about in just a few short weeks, I was scrambling to get the funds together on such short notice. I've known for a year, there was a possibility of taking this trip, but it had never worked out before. I had begun to believe it was not meant to be. I do think something like this has to be in God's time and when it is, He works out the details. I have learned from past experience that if you are available, God provides the means. I can never repay or adequately thank those who assist financially or pray for me as I prepare for and take this journey. You know who you are and I pray I represent you well with our sisters and brothers in Cape Town.

Cape Town Seamstress

28 Days and counting!

Well, this is certainly new to me. I have decided to journal a mission trip to Cape Town, South Africa by "blogging"! Who would have ever thunk it! First off, I never "journal" anything. In fact, I pretty much avoid writing of all kind. I'd rather just tell it, whatever "it" is. Secondly, I don't consider myself computer savvy. But here I am, blogging and figuring out how to do it all by myself.
I will attempt to post daily while in Cape Town and if I'm lucky, I'll figure out how to post pictures and include them as well. I should have access to my friend's computer while there.
Anyway, things are coming into place for the trip. I leave on Oct.9 and will return Oct.25. It is the end of winter and Wendy tells me the whales are in the bay. I hope they will be there when I arrive. I've never seen whales "in the wild", only at SeaWorld.
I will be working with Wendy in Cape Town on a sewing project. She has students who graduate in Nov. that have been making purses to support themselves. These are women who come to the Living Hope center as HIV/Aids patients. I will be teaching advanced cutting/sewing techniques, working with them to make their products more finished and professional in quality/appearance, and working with a couple of the students on "how to teach" as they plan to become instructors for new classes. The ministry hopes to begin a small factory for these women and expand their designs and products.. I will work with Wendy and their leadership in planning for that and in marketing strategy.
I covet your prayer support as I go.
Cape Town Seamstress