I am just back from visiting our sewing classroom. It is always amazing to me to see what new project our students are working on. Today, the sewing tables were full of doll bodies and clothing in various stages of completion. What a joy!
The students have learned to use industrial high speed sewing machines. We have both the single needle and overlocking or serger varieties in the classroom. I remember when they began to learn to work on these powerful machines. With no previous sewing instruction, the students were afraid at first. But now, when they enter the classroom, they are right to work. They have mastered these machines.
I haven't learned to use a sewing machine; I quilt by hand. It thrills me to watch these young women gaining confidence in using these machines. They are gaining skills to use in their homes or a work setting. What a blessing! THis is also why we do what we are doing. To see young women from poor backgrounds, learn a skill that will help bring income into their families where there hasn't been income or very little before.
The students are making 18" soft body dolls and outfits that go with them. As they work on the dresses they learn how to match colours, designs, etc. The project should be finished this week.
Post Praise:
1) The students are learning to serve God through what they are sewing. An earlier project, teddy bears, will be going to a Children's rescue home.
Post Prayer:
1) That over the remaining 7 weeks their skills will continue to grow and develop.
Blessings,
Barbara
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Where We Are Today...
Mustard Seed is very close to the end of Batch 3. This morning we began week 4 of term 4. We began this batch with 10 students, the number that we can take. Over the course of the last 33 weeks 4 of our students have left the program. Each leaving was difficult for us.
It has been a blessing to the staff to watch the girls grow in their life with the Lord and develop into accomplished seamstresses. We have been talking about what they will do after graduation and how to get to that place. Some of the girls want to further their study in sewing, one wanting to become a fashion designer. Some of the students want to go to Bible school. Some want to look for a job. I am hoping that some want to continue with us in our OJT training - On The Job. It will give them more experience but out in the real world.
Post Praises:
1) The students returned after a long weekend ready to get into classes again.
2) Last week a number of students were suffering from colds. There was only one student coughing this morning. They are better or almost completely well.
Post Prayers:
1) We have new visitors on campus with us. A family from Canada. Pray that their time with us will be good. That they will get a sense of what we do here.
2) Our International Council meetings will start March 10 and last a week. Pray that these meetings will go well.
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
It has been a blessing to the staff to watch the girls grow in their life with the Lord and develop into accomplished seamstresses. We have been talking about what they will do after graduation and how to get to that place. Some of the girls want to further their study in sewing, one wanting to become a fashion designer. Some of the students want to go to Bible school. Some want to look for a job. I am hoping that some want to continue with us in our OJT training - On The Job. It will give them more experience but out in the real world.
Post Praises:
1) The students returned after a long weekend ready to get into classes again.
2) Last week a number of students were suffering from colds. There was only one student coughing this morning. They are better or almost completely well.
Post Prayers:
1) We have new visitors on campus with us. A family from Canada. Pray that their time with us will be good. That they will get a sense of what we do here.
2) Our International Council meetings will start March 10 and last a week. Pray that these meetings will go well.
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Our Start...
Mustard Seed Discipleship Vocational Program began in 2002 with the donation of 15 sewing machines from a local Christian business man. His family owns three large factories located close to where we are situated.
At the time I was finishing up language school and seeking the God's direction for future ministry. When I learned of the donation, I knew that I had found my answer. Our mission already has two program for young men, also out of school youth. Working Hands Discipleship Vocational Program and Honest Hands Discipleship Home for former street boys. At the time, we did not have a program for young women. This was the opportunity to begin one.
I moved in 2002 to our campus and began the developing the plans for Mustard Seed. It began with the name, coming from the parable of the Mustard Seed found in Luke and Matthew. The mustard seed being the smallest of all seeds, will grow into a plant that will house the birds of the air and give shelter to the beasts of the field. Also, one who has faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Our students, who would come with a young faith would grow in their faith while with us in the program. Their sewing skills, non existent at the beginning, would develop and grow into a marketable skill.
In 2002, our sewing instructor came on board and we hired our dorm mom. The recruiting process began to select students for our first 'batch'. We chose 4 young Christian women as our first students to be with us for seven months of training. We worked closely with their home churches, partnering in prayer and training. Our learning curve that first batch was very steep but we finished at the end of October 2003, graduating 4 students and watching them settle into their first jobs, sewing at one of the factories of our sponsor. We learned a lot, we had lots more to learn!
This post's praises:
1) The Honest Hands students today are taking their GED for elementary and highschool, after a year's literacy study. They have worked hard for this.
2) The rain has finally stopped! Summer must be on the way.
This post's prayers:
1) Mustard Seed students will be going through the material for True Love Waits, integrity and purity before marriage, in this week's classes. Pray that this information will get into the hearts of our students.
2) Preparation for graduation on April 26!
3) February 25 is the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA 1 People Power. Pray that all celebrations and demonstrations will remain calm during the remembrances.
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
At the time I was finishing up language school and seeking the God's direction for future ministry. When I learned of the donation, I knew that I had found my answer. Our mission already has two program for young men, also out of school youth. Working Hands Discipleship Vocational Program and Honest Hands Discipleship Home for former street boys. At the time, we did not have a program for young women. This was the opportunity to begin one.
I moved in 2002 to our campus and began the developing the plans for Mustard Seed. It began with the name, coming from the parable of the Mustard Seed found in Luke and Matthew. The mustard seed being the smallest of all seeds, will grow into a plant that will house the birds of the air and give shelter to the beasts of the field. Also, one who has faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Our students, who would come with a young faith would grow in their faith while with us in the program. Their sewing skills, non existent at the beginning, would develop and grow into a marketable skill.
In 2002, our sewing instructor came on board and we hired our dorm mom. The recruiting process began to select students for our first 'batch'. We chose 4 young Christian women as our first students to be with us for seven months of training. We worked closely with their home churches, partnering in prayer and training. Our learning curve that first batch was very steep but we finished at the end of October 2003, graduating 4 students and watching them settle into their first jobs, sewing at one of the factories of our sponsor. We learned a lot, we had lots more to learn!
This post's praises:
1) The Honest Hands students today are taking their GED for elementary and highschool, after a year's literacy study. They have worked hard for this.
2) The rain has finally stopped! Summer must be on the way.
This post's prayers:
1) Mustard Seed students will be going through the material for True Love Waits, integrity and purity before marriage, in this week's classes. Pray that this information will get into the hearts of our students.
2) Preparation for graduation on April 26!
3) February 25 is the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA 1 People Power. Pray that all celebrations and demonstrations will remain calm during the remembrances.
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
Thursday, February 21, 2008
An Introduction...
Now that we have a blog up and running, I think an introduction is in order. This blog will be written about the ministry that I am involved with in the Philippines. Mustard Seed Discipleship Vocational Program is a ministry to out of school youth, aged 18 to 22 years of age. Our program, one of three on our campus, teaches sewing to young women who come from poor backgrounds. Some of our students are high school graduates but many are not. School for many families here can be a very expensive thing, even though elementary and high school education is free. After graduation from high school, children from poor families are not able to continue on in school for training for work. To work at the local fast food restaurants, two years in college is needed as a prerequisite.
Mustard Seed, and the other two discipleship vocational programs on our campus, desire to help out of school youth learn a marketable skill. Along with the livelihood training, our students are taught the Word of God.
Included with each posting will be Praises and Prayer Needs. Thank you in advance for keeping us in your prayers.
Praise: This weekend our discipleship teacher will be celebrating her 41st birthday. We celebrated with her this week at school, thanking God for her involvement in our program and praying for His wisdom and guidence over the next year.
Prayer: Mustard Seed's graduation for this batch of students will be celebrated on April 26. Please pray for the students as they finish up their 10 month studies with us and will be graduation. Pray also for their planning for after graduation.
Blessings!
Mustard Seed, and the other two discipleship vocational programs on our campus, desire to help out of school youth learn a marketable skill. Along with the livelihood training, our students are taught the Word of God.
Included with each posting will be Praises and Prayer Needs. Thank you in advance for keeping us in your prayers.
Praise: This weekend our discipleship teacher will be celebrating her 41st birthday. We celebrated with her this week at school, thanking God for her involvement in our program and praying for His wisdom and guidence over the next year.
Prayer: Mustard Seed's graduation for this batch of students will be celebrated on April 26. Please pray for the students as they finish up their 10 month studies with us and will be graduation. Pray also for their planning for after graduation.
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
And so we begin...
February 20, 2008
Another step is made today into the world of high tech and the web. Last January, I purchased a new computer. I now have the photos from my digital camera on the computer. Now I step into the arena of blogging.
So, I hope that over the next months and maybe years to share with you about the organization of which I am a part, the ministry in which I work, and something about the staff and students that are with this ministry.
Hopefully as I post stories and experiences, you will begin to understand why I'm doing what I am doing.
Look for the next post soon!
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
Mustard Seed Discipleship Vocational Program
ACTION International, Philippines
Another step is made today into the world of high tech and the web. Last January, I purchased a new computer. I now have the photos from my digital camera on the computer. Now I step into the arena of blogging.
So, I hope that over the next months and maybe years to share with you about the organization of which I am a part, the ministry in which I work, and something about the staff and students that are with this ministry.
Hopefully as I post stories and experiences, you will begin to understand why I'm doing what I am doing.
Look for the next post soon!
Blessings,
Barbara Burchert
Mustard Seed Discipleship Vocational Program
ACTION International, Philippines
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