Today Barb had a neat experience. She went to a graduation. Not just an ordinary graduation. This one had a special story.

Three years ago, Wendy Ryan visited from Virginia. She was a journalist so she offered to help do some writing. But God.... Aren't those two wonderful words?

Out of the blue she was asked to help some women escape some very bad living situations. Here women are very often abused, but, they have no place to go. They have no money, usually no marketable skills, they are often far from home and family and usually have kids to care for. These women needed a skill if they were going to have any hope.

What could Wendy do? Teach them to write. Most didn't have those skills.

Someone suggested she teach them to sew. Wendy didn't know how to sew, let alone teach someone in a different language how to do it, especially when they lived in a shack with limited electricity.

But, as she prayed, it seemed to be the only answer. So, two years ago she started a sewing school in the Masiphumelele Church in the middle of a township of 40,000 people.

Today, after eleven months of classes, her second class of 12 women and one man graduated and were given their own sewing machines. For graduation, each student wore clothing they had made themselves. It was wonderful! That's one of the students, Noncedo, in the photo above with her family. She is in her own designed dress that she made for herself standing by the box with her new machine. Thirteen people now have good marketable skills, respect for themselves and strength to improve their lives.

Wendy started "Evangeline Ministries" to support her ministry here! An amazing lady! A wonderful story of someone making a difference. She has now added computer classes to provide additional skill training.

People, doing what they can, for other people...the hope for Africa!

Ron and Barb