I'm Pretty Sure God like's Tootsie Rolls.

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say."  It is sixty-two days until I fly away from comfort and privilege and return to a wonderful land with beautiful chocolate faces, bright chocolate eyes, brilliant white teeth, and angelic voices filling my days.  I have to admit I am getting a little panicked as I will be away from my home for the next 22 of the 62 days and there is still much to do.

"Here come bad news talking this and that." I began sewing sample projects and then my new sewing machine broke.  Currently it is at the repair shop and I should get it back next week just in time for my departure to Memphis.  I have been ordering bits and pieces of beading, wiring, fabric.... and it has been showing up regularly in the mail.  However I have never made earrings and wanted to drive to the nearest bead store to talk to the lady that works there and actually see all of my options.  It is 45 minutes away and I finally did the drive this past Tuesday (I hate driving).  I got there only to discover after 23 years on being in business it had closed.  Drats!  Back to online shopping.

"Bring me down, can't noth'in bring me down."  Don't you just know how God works when you aren't even paying attention.  First I found a sewing machine repair place 3 miles from my house.  Really how many of you can say that.  Next I met this guy that does business with a man in Africa that sells wholesale beads.  I have been contacted by his wife and things are looking really good in the bead area. As I stated earlier things were arriving from UPS or FedEx or USPS regularly.  There were things showing up that I hadn't realized I had ordered. My kids would believe this as I forget a lot.  Eventually I found out that people were actually ordering some of my wish list supplies on Amazon.com!!!!!  Wow!!!!  Now I had to figure out who! After a chatting with Thaddeus on Amazon I found out my niece Breanne ordered lots of beading supplies!!!! Then today more packages arrived. The children at Fiwagoh received 15 pairs of brand new sewing shears and trim scissors donated by one of the most beautiful mom's in the world and her family, Jamie!!!!!!  She was one of my amazing math students I had the pleasure of teaching several years ago.  Who said teaching doesn't pay?  I have received from past students more than I deserve.  Bless you Bre and Jamie!

"I'm feel in like a room without a roof"  It is hard for me to ask for donations and I feel I am hitting the same people up all the time.  It makes my heart is so happy when someone out of the blue donates just because they want to.  God supplies all we need, we just need to believe.

Finally today in addition to the scissors I received some beading supplies that I ordered after finding the bead store closed.  When I opened up the bag not only did I love the supplies and found they would be useful,  they also included two toostie rolls in the package.  I'm pretty sure God had something to do with that.  eeBeads.com thank you! I will be ordering again. "happy happy happy happy"

I love God and that makes me HAPPY, clap along......

Mission Trip #3

I stated earlier that more details would come and here they are.  I am posting this information in other formats so it could be a repeat for some who follow this, however I am trying to reach out to as many people as possible so I am posting in multiple locations.  Perhaps I will learn that on location/post is best but for now......

This summer I will be traveling back to Kenya for my third mission trip. I will be at the FIWAGOH orphanage, home to 219 orphans ages 3-21. Myself and about six other people will be there for close to five weeks. However there are two two week teams joining us during the time I am there. All who are going are traveling with the EQUIP1 Mission foundation and while there we will be  focusing on medical, fine arts, culinary, education, construction, dentistry, and lots of TLC! My main focus will be to show the seamstresses we trained last year how to sew/create items that they can sell at the orphanage to help raise money towards the construction and completion of the trade school they are building on site. We will be sewing scarves,  drawstring bags, backpacks, and purses along with several little items using the remnant materials. In addition to sewing, I will be teaching them beading skills to create jewelry to sell as well.

The theme of EQUIP1 missions is to equip one orphan. To supply educational resources & facilities to enable the development of vocational skills. Last year I went there to introduce tailoring and then teach several young girls the basics of sewing. It was so much fun watching the girls complete their skirts. However, as week two approached we had to stop the sewing instruction as God showed us greater need. My friend from Texas, Doneva, and I sewed hours upon hours to make plastic protectors and fabric bed covers for over 200 beds so the children could receive their new foam mattresses.

The orphanage began building a huge trade school last year and when it is finished it will house classrooms for medical education, tailoring, culinary arts, woodworking, and a few other items.  We are there to help with the process.

This summer I will be traveling with 2-50lb bags full of fabric, sewing and beading supplies. Any donations to help fill the bags would be greatly appreciated and as always, prayers for the team and the orphanage make a world of difference.

If you wish to be a part of this experience by making a donation, there are several ways to do this:

1) Send a check payable to me and I will use this to purchase fabric and bead supplies.
2) Send gift cards for Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, Michael's, and/or Amazon.com.
3) Purchase equipment items found on my Amazon.com wish list and have them sent to me.
4) Make an online donation to EQUIP1.org. This will go into my equip1 account and we will use this money to purchase more fabric and possibly beads when we arrive in Africa.

Finally I have to say God has blessed me more than I deserve and am so honored that he has chosen me to go and serve these wonderful people at Fiwagoh.

Peace and Joy,
Kris Kaufman

Projects determined, Donation cards created and complete, Donation list finished. Check, check, check

The sewing/craft projects and jewelry project list has been narrowed down to a reasonable task to complete while in Africa this summer.  We will be making sling bags, drawstring purses and backpacks, infinity scarves, earrings and bracelets.  Then with the remnants there are more options than possible to list.  Now it is time to start collected the needed equipment and supplies.  As I quickly finish this blog I want to upload donation information for those receiving the donation cards.  I will provide more detail in the next couple of days.  Below is a copy of my donation list.  I am looking forward to see how God is working in our lives!!!  I've seen two amazing things happen as of yesterday and today!!

EQUIP1-KENYA 2014

Sewing and Jewelry

Donation List

This summer as I return to Nakuru, Kenya to work at Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage and School, I will be teaching some of the seamstresses from last year how to make craft items: purses, bags, scarves, and jewelry to name a few.  With these finished projects and skills to create more they will be able to sell them to other people that visit the orphanage.  This will be the beginning of a mini-market to raise funds for Fiwagoh.

Because the projects are very specific, I am focusing more on requesting gift cards, checks, or cash donations rather than materials. The funds raised will be used towards the purchase of fabrics, trims and beading both here in the US and in Kenya.  I do, however have some general things that one can purchase to contribute and these are listed below. For specific examples, go to my Amazon.com shopping list, which will display pictures and quantities of the items needed.  If you order from the Amazon.com site the items will be shipped to me.

GENERAL SEWING SUPPLIES:

·             Sewing machine needles

·             Hand sewing needles

·             Straight pins

·             Elastic (various widths)

·             Thread – lots, any colors

·             Ribbon and trim (1/4”, ½”, 1”) for decorating the purses/bags

·             Double fold bias tape

·             Large buttons for decorating the purses/bags

·             Card stock (4.5”x6.5”)

·             Sewing shears (5 pair)

·             Small hand sewing scissors (10 pair)

·             Bobbins LOTS

·             Bobbin cases (10)

·             Magnetic pin trays (5)

JEWELRY MAKING SUPPLIES:

·             Crimpers (5)

·             Needle nose pliers (10)

·             Beads (crystal, metal, ceramic, natural stone)

·             Crimping beads

·             Earwire (200 pair)

·             Hoops (100 pair)

·             Beading glue (5)

·             Round leather 1mm chord: brown, natural, black, gray( 200 yards)

·             Beading thread: brown, natural, black, gray (5 spools)

·             ½” metal shank buttons (100)

·             Needles for beading (lots)

·             Packing tape (2)

·             Heavy duty binder clips  (10)

HOW DO I DONATE?

·             Go to my Amazon.com web site and order from there. Kristine Kaufman, EQUIP1 Kenya 2014: Sewing and Jewelry.

·             Go online to Equip1.org and do a direct donation using a credit/debit card or Paypal.

·             Purchase and donate a gift card: Joann Fabrics, Michael’s craft store, Hobby Lobby, Fire Mountain Gems, and Amazon.com.

·             Send a check made out to Kris Kaufman,