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