How much piecin' a quilt...

How much piecin’ a quilt is like livin’ a life!  Many a time I’ve set and listened to Parson Page preachin’ about predestination and free will, and I’ve said to myself, ‘If I could jest git up in the pulpit with one of my quilts I could make it a heap plainer to folks than parson’s makin’ it with his big words.’  You see, you start out with jest so much caliker; you don’t go to the store and pick it out and buy it, but the neighbours will give you a piece here and a piece there, and you’ll have a piece left over every time you cut a dress, and you take jest what happens to come.  And that’s like predestination.  But when it come to the cuttin’ out, why you’re free to choose your own pattern.  You can give the same kind o’ pieces to two persons, and one’ll make a ‘nine patch’ and one’ll make a ‘wild-goose chase,’ and there’ll be two quilts made out of the same kind of pieces, but we can cut them out and put ‘em together pretty much to suit ourselves and there’s a heap more in the cuttin’ out and the sewin’ than there is in the caliker.  Eliza Calvert Hall, Aunt Jane of Kentucky, Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 1908, p 74.

_________

What a fun time we had!  Several of us met in a "Quilting Bee" format a couple of weeks ago to make the Albania Gospel Spinner pillow covers, the project we took to Albanian churches last spring.  We have such talented people in our church!!!  I think everyone was well on their way to finishing the project when they left to tend to children or whatever.  We did, however, miss all those knitters, crocheters, etc. who we'd like to join us for a fun time getting to know each other and sharing ideas about sewing, life, or other vital concerns.

For those who haven't quite finished the pillow, or who would have liked to join us before, feel free to join us on Saturday, Sept 15 from 10-3 in the Community Room.  I'll be giving instructions for the pillow covers at 10 and 1, as before.  Kits will be available for purchase, or bring your own fabric (about 1/4 yard for each of four or five colors and 1/2 yard each for the backing and border).  Bring your own sewing machine and sewing notions (scissors, thread, etc.).  We will have rotary cutters and mats available.

In addition.... tah! dah!... we will have another "quilting bee" and a new project on October 5th and 6th!!!  This is the project I hope to take to the Albanian churches next month, and a sample should be available on September 15... using prairie points.  Come and join us Friday, October 5 and/or Saturday, October 6 from 10-3.  I will have a kit and will give instructions at 10 am and 1 pm both days.  And, if you are not a quilter, but like to knit/crochet/cross-stitch, etc., come join us with your project and let's get to know each other!!!

OK, who knows when the first "quilt" was made and where?  I'll answer that question and more in the next few days.





REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 15 and OCTOBER 5 and 6!
SEE YOU THERE!!!

COME TO A QUILTING BEE

and

TAKE HOME A LITTLE OF ALBANIA

Did you know that quilting bees are uniquely American?   During the 19th century, women had few social venues, and for many the quilting bee became their primary social event.  Quilting bees also participated in funding both sides of the Civil War.  Learn more in an upcoming blog.

The Albania Spinner Pillow

While you're waiting to hear more about quilting bees, come to one and make a pair of pillow covers for the Albania Spinner Pillow,  the last project taken to Albania.  This pair of pillow covers was finished by a new Christian sister before she went home from our "bee" in Tirane... and she had never before touched a sewing machine.  They feature simple piecing and straight stitching with the Gospel represented by the colors chosen.  Instructions will be presented at 10 am and 1 pm during the Quilting Bee, which will take place this Friday, 8/24, and Saturday, 8/25, in the Community Room of Grace Bible Church in AG from 10 to 3.  A  kit will be available for purchase, or bring your own fabric!  

At quilting bees, you can work on your own project, if you'd rather!  The point is to get together, have fun, meet someone new or spend time with friend, trade tips on whatever you'd like (recipes, sewing, work, kids... you name it).  The point is to  just get together and have a fun time while sewing.  Bring a sack lunch, or...

 Also, there will be a selection of things which have been crafted to raise funds for my next trip.  These will NOT be available for purchase at the quilting bee, but you can talk to me if you're interested.  My next trip to Albania is scheduled for the end of October and hopefully will include trips to several church plants, placing three new machines (pending funding), a project at the women's prison, and collaboration with a community center outside of Tirane.  Come, ask questions if you'd like.... bring new ideas!

REMEMBER, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 10 am - 1 pm

....SEE YOU THERE!

 

I'm back, but my body isn't sure yet...

The Grand Mosque

It's been almost a week since my last day in Albania.  Last Tuesday, I got up at 6 am Albania time (9 pm Monday on the West Coast), and finally pulled my "wheelie" through the front door 29 hours later.  A long day!  My trip was pretty much without a hitch, except the last leg.  You see, spring along the West Coast is accompanied by "June gloom"...  FOG!  Santa Maria Airport was closed and my flight was canceled.  Thank goodness that United Airlines opted to send us in a van so we didn't have to find a room for the night and then make the one hour flight the next morning.

I'm fascinated by all the wires!

The day before I left, Monday, dawned sunny and warm in Tirana... no fog there and no rain, thank goodness!  After spending some time planning, making final disbursements and beginning "final packing," I headed downstairs for breakfast and a meeting with Frank and Ornela from the prison minisitry.

Evening produce market

Recall that during our first week, we met with three social workers employed by a prison ministry in Albania.  Apparently, the only women's prisons in Albania are in Tirana; there are two.  First is the permanent "camp" where sentences are served (housing 80 or so women), and the other is "pre-detention" where women are housed before and during their trials (about 40 women).  Personal resources and hygienic supplies are sometimes inadequate in both prisons, so much of the ministry's budget is spent meeting those needs.  Recall, though, that sewing machines have been placed by this ministry in both prisons, and that a seamstress visits each prison twice weekly.  So, how might we be able to help? 

The Opera House - after the Big Dig

National Museum after the Big Dig!

Well, it seems that recently they have decided to look for an ongoing project, one that would allow  churched women to meet with the prisoners once a month or so.  We discussed our ministry and what we have been doing.  There was general agreement that using the "quilting bee" format to make quilting blocks which could then be made into a quilt, pillow or wall hanging would fit their plan just fine... they were ready to start next month... Whoa!  We need to partner with a church.  And, we need supplies.  And, we need to know how many women would participate, whether we would start with the pillow first, and so on.  So, we spent some time addressing these issues, and decided that we will target start date as next fall.

Huma and Hebibe, Donna watching

At work!

Next, on to the International Protestant Assembly... to help them finish the pillows begun Friday.  Huma was there, and raring to go.  We finished the back for her first pillow, then she started on the second and proceeded on her own.  Hebibe, who was the first to finish the table runner last spring, meticulously finished her first pillow, and started on her second.  Vitoria, though, who was focused on the goal, needed very little help from me as she completed both pillows and showed everyone the table runner from the last year. 

Hebibe with her pillow

Vitoria, with pillows and table runner

While everyone completed their pillows, I met with Barry, their pastor, and his new women's pastor, Lisa, who hails from Delaware.  Although not a quilter, she seems ready to work on an ongoing sewing group... (or perhaps two - to target those who cannot come during the day), and using the machines to help with church planting in the villages (remember Donna?  She is planting a church, and Huma is one of its prominent members).  And, guess what!  They are willing to consider a women's outreach, perhaps beginning in the fall, to minister to women in jail!  Is that God, or what?  So, we will keep in touch with Lisa, while they'll try to get various quilting fabrics (someone is coming from Ohio soon), and we'll see what we can do to make this happen!  Unbelievable!

These black-clad women are all too common

On to visit Dori - we have had so little time.  But, that requires a 45 minute trek down the river to Tirana Re (New Tirana).  Then a visit with Migena in the only smoke-free coffee bar I've visited so far in Albania.  We needed to clear up a few things for the widows, and to strategize.  We have managed to find her a sewing machine, and the resources to buy a second.  That way, both of the widows we met can travel together into town from Bathore and take lessons from the seamstress Migena has lined up.  Then a trek back to Stephen Center to meet Rudina so she can take me to the women's group from a church plant nearby.

Women at Melodye's kitchen tabl

Well, it's Monday night, and supplies are pretty slim - I've dispensed virtually everything I brought with me.  The stuff I had for them is in the packer that I just found out is still on the tarmac in San Francisco, so I shared with them the purse that Kathie brought, and told them they had a lot of faith... we were making a pillow but they didn't know what it would look like.  And, what's more, we had no machine.  So, we hand sewed the fabrics together and got them started on the block - the instructions are going off to Melodye as soon as I finish here.

Skanderbeg - in the cdenter of the Big Dig

A long and busy day... but such an encouraging one.  It sure seemed like God had left the best 'til last... leaving me with a strong desire to just stay here and get this done.  Well, next time... God willing.  And, perhaps next time we can get a picture of Skanderbeg without a crane behind him!

Mirupafshen!

The last day

Due to my blasted illness, this last day promises to be quite busy!  So, let's get started!

To pick up from yesterday, Thursday was in Lushjne.  By the way, does anyone know the history of Lushnje?  It's quite interesting... but for another day.  If anyone knows, then fill us in by writing a comment!

Hard at work at IPA

Vitoria, first to finish top

Huma and Donna - all done!

A seamstress and Donna

Friday was the day to place the sewing machines.  Remember I told you that the "Action Packer" that Joe had checked was yet to arrive?  Well, it still hadn't (and hasn't yet), so we went to the International Protestant Assembly with two machines.  Lisa is the new women's minister, and she met us there with her version of the current virus (I'm not the only one with this cold!), and slowly, as happens in Albania, people began to show up.  We had eventually about seven or eight women - all interested in having one of those pillows!  Actually, two... each kit made two.

Huma was from a village where Donna is planting a church.  I understand it was the first time she had ever used a sewing machine.  Huma was determined to finish the pillow cover, and finally did... 5 1/2 hours after we started!  For the others who didn't finish it all, we are heading back today to give them the final instructions.  It sounds like the staff there will be using those machines exactly as I had envisioned - praise God!

Friday night, after all that sewing and a brisk walk home, I was tired!  I had to prepare for Saturday.

A wood heated meeting room

Children on the playground at center

The upstairs play room

Migena with some of th

Saturday was not exactly a sewing day, but rather one to investigate a center in Bathore, a mission called GlobalCare, to see if we could help in some way.  Under the tutelage of Avis, this center provides a meeting place, child care, and other services to the surrounding poor neighborhoods.  Although I did not have the pleasure of meeting Avis, she chose two women who are being helped by the center for me to meet. But first, the center... an upstairs play room for the kids, complete with equipment to climb on... a playground out front for outside play... a large sunny meeting room which could accommodate sewing someday... a few offices and crafts for sale.

Nixhmije, her children, mother and a worker from the center.

The first woman was 29 year old Nixhmije with five children ranging in age from about 2 to about 10 years old.  She had attended school until the 8th grade, and was married at the age of about 16.  Her husband spent the last few years of his life in a bitter depression which eventually led him to commit suicide almost four years ago by hanging himself.  He was found by his daughter, Lula, then about 1-2 years old.  Nishmije currently lives in a rented home with her mother and father (who has had a stroke and is partially paralyzed).  She has worked at sewing shoes in a factory, but was fired when she had to stay home with a sick child.  Her oldest son wants to be a cook, and her younger son an engineer.  They live on about $50 every other month from the state and some handouts from her brother who still lives in the village.  Despite their poverty, they were gracious and served us a drink and candies, as is the Albanian way.

Piece work - 13 cents a shoe

Vera and family

Vera is 21 years old and has two daughters, one of whom is in school and doing well.  She currently lives with her three brothers, mother and epileptic father in a house the family owns.  Until recently, their house had just two rooms.  The center helped to add on two additional rooms, an indoor sink and a bathroom.  She was married at about 16, arranged by her uncle, to an Albanian construction worker in Greece.  He died of an "attack" almost four years ago when she was just 1 month pregnant with her second child.  Her education is to the 2nd grade; she can read, but can't write or do arithmetic.  Currently, her mother and she do piecework... hand-sewing those beautiful Italian shoes - so think of that the next time you buy a pair.  They receive 13 Lek (or about 13 cents) per shoe. 




Well, these are sad stories and my heart breaks... but what can we do?  That was my next question.  Well, both women would like to learn to sew, and Migena has a friend in Tirana who is willing to teach them.  But, they need sewing machines.  So, off to the sewing machine store.

One of his favorites

We'll see him again!

So, you think you just find the nearest Singer dealer, right?  Well, not so fast... there are none.  At least, if there are, they need to do better advertising because nobody knows where they are.  So, we went to a fellow who repairs machines, and asked what machines he had.  He had some reconditioned Pfaffs.  So, we bought it - and one for Dori and her church.  Kathie had actually left money to do that as part of her ministry.  You don't just ask the price, though, you  must barter otherwise everyone feels cheated of the entertainment.  So, you hem and haw, ask a lot of questions, and finally come up with an agreeable price... probably higher for me than it would have been for an Albanian.

Then to Dori's for lunch, again to the repair shop to get Dori's machine fixed, a smoothie at the Stephen Center, then church with Alban and Dori (Alban translated for me - he does such a good job).  My cough was returning (remember the "night air"?), so hightailed it back to my room, and dropped into bed.  Sunday was church at IPA, then a day of rest.

Well, you are now up to date.  I'm currently putting on my running shoes... it promises to be a marathon today.  See you soon!

Let's catch you up on our comings and goings

 Check out the icons!

Good grief!  It's been over a week since my last blog!  Well, I have a doctor's excuse!  I think I've had influenza, followed by a bacterial bronchitis/pneumonitis.   I finally broke down and started some antibiotics.  Today the dry cough has returned.  So, I'm hoping the cough is just the "night air," a statement that somehow doesn't sound too 21st century.  Hopefully,  after a warm shower, hot tea and a good night's sleep the cough will disappear and be only a bad memory. 

View of Berat from the castle

A magnificent castle!

The message... the Gospel

Cobbled street

Sonila, Petrit and family

Rhonda and Kathie had a wonderful time in Berat - my time there was a blur... I slept about 40 hours, waking just in time to take a van back to Tirana to again hit the sack.  Berat is a beautiful town, filled with hills and steep walks on cobblestone streets.  We did two classes there... everyone was so understanding about my blasted virus... Kathie and Rhonda were troopers, standing in for me with everyone.  As a reward, by travel partners got a VIP tour of the castle in Berat, and many of the churches were opened so they could view the icons painted by Berat's master painter - Onufri.  I'm sure you will agree the castle is beautiful.  Sonila and Petrit were such wonderful hosts!  And they live in an absolutely beautiful city.

Finished in Berat!

To work in Berat!

Sonila, Elvira, and Dori

 Tuesday, early (around 3:00 am - those of you who have taken the 4:25 flight will remember the early taxi ride),  I waved good-bye to Rhonda and Kathie, then headed back to bed for the day... I must admit that virus really took the stuffing out of me... I literally slept most of the day.  Ditto on Wednesday, but I had scheduled Dori's church in the late afternoon (4:30), expecting to feel better.  They are quite accomplished sewers, two of whom were trying to sandwich the baby quilts by the time they are needed (they are both pregnant).

Wednesday, the pastoral team was to arrive mid-afternoon, but they were delayed in San Francisco, causing a missed connection in Frankfurt.  Consequently, they arrived around midnight.  We didn't get a chance to catch up until Thursday breakfast when I learned that the third "Action Packer" had not yet arrived.  No problems, I felt sure that it would arrive before I leave.

Sue, Katie and Blair

A lazy game of cards

I headed out on Thursday morning to visit Blair, Sue and Katie (missionaries from our partner church in Kentucky) in Lushnje.  It was a wonderful time - I had a chance to people watch, and tried to figure out what characteristics make it so easy to distinguish between Europeans and Americans - posture? clothing? facial expressions?  Let me know what you think.  We had lunch... I should have taken a picture of the fish.  In Albania, when you order fish, you get the whole thing... eyes, mouth...  It was delicious, the presentation was just a little different from home.

In somewhat typical human fashion, the car driver who had committed to take me back to Tirana turned off his phone and "got lost."  Blair found me a free trip to Tirana with a tour group returning from Athens.  It was on the trip home that I finally decided that it was obvious I really wasn't getting better, and decided to start the antibiotics that Rhonda had left for me.

Although I started this Saturday evening, it is now Sunday morning, and time for church.  Guess you'll have to tune in again to hear the rest of what's happened this week... it is amazing!

Berat!

Morning, from our balcony

Yesterday, we traveled to Berat.  What a treasure!  In preparation, I developed some information on the city so you would have some background.  I'll update you a little more over the next day or so.  Prayer requests - a sore throat has turned into a full blown cold for me (Sharon).  Pray that it stays with me, remits quickly, and doesn't affect my partners!   

Night, from our balcomy

Located about two hours from Tirana in south-central Albania, Berat is known as the City of a Thousand Windows because of the many large windows on decorated historic buildings which overlook the town.  It stands as a well-preserved Ottoman city (some think the best in the Balkans), with a lower town and medieval citadel.  Its name is derived from the older term Bel(i)grad (meaning “white city” in Serbian, Macedonian and Bulgarian).  It is also thought to be the site of the city of Antipater, and was known during the Ottoman Empire as Belgrad-i Arnavud (Albanian Belgrade) to distinguish it from Belgrade in Serbia.

Morning, from our balcony

Modern Berat consists of three parts: Gorica or "little mountain" - divided from the rest of the city by the Osum River, Kalaja - the residential quarter within the old Byzantine citadel overlooking the town, and Mangalem.  Berat Castle is built on a rocky hill overlooking the Osum River.  Even though considerably damaged over the millennia, it is still a magnificent sight. The buildings inside the fortress were built during the 13th century and because of their characteristic architecture are preserved as cultural monuments. The population of the fortress was Christian, with about 20 churches (most built during the 13th century) and only one mosque, used by the Muslim garrison (there remains only the base of the minaret).  Only a few of the fortress churches remain, many have been damaged over the years. Even so, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas is well restored and contains a museum dedicated to Onufri, the greatest of the 16th century Albanian painters.

A 15th century mosque and many historic churches can be found in the town, some still contain Onufri’s works.  Perhaps because Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire for so long, this Christian Orthodox painter was not known until the 1950s when an inscription was found on one of his works in a church building dating from 1547: “I am Onufri, and come from the town of Berat.”  Onufri’s frescos and icons are masterful; he was the first to introduce a shiny red color which the French labelled "Onufri's Red."  His works have a unique realism for the period and an unusual degree of individuality in facial expression.  Onufri's son, Nikolla (Nicholas), inherited his father’s painting style but was never as successful as his father.

Berat is built near the junction of the Osum with the Molisht rivers, below the towering slopes of the Tomorr mountains.  According to legend, Tomorr was a giant who battled Shpirag, another giant, over a young woman.  In their effort, both giants were killed.  The girl shed so many tears, she drowned in the river formed by them - the Osum.  The two “dead giants” remain on either side of the Osum as Mount Tomorr and Mount Shpriag.

The earliest recorded inhabitants of Berat were a Greek tribe in the 6th century BC.  It later became a Macedonian stronghold in southern Illyria.  When captured by the Romans in 200 BC, the walls were razed and the male population massacred.  Subsequent to the fall of the Roman Empire, the town became part of the unstable frontier of the Byzantine Empire along with much of the rest of the Balkan peninsula, suffering from repeated invasions by Slavs and other "barbarian" tribes.
Bulgarians captured the town in the 9th century renaming it "Beligrad"; it fell to a Byzantine Greek successor state in the 13th century.  In 1345, the town passed to the Serbs and then to the noble Albanian family of Muzaka when it became the capital of the Principality of Berat.  In 1417, Berat was captured by the Ottoman Empire who ruled it until the late 1800s.

During the early period of Ottoman rule, Berat declined, having only 710 houses by the end of the 16th century.  However, during the 17th century, it became a major craft center specializing in wood carving, and during the 18th century was one the most important Albanian cities of the Ottoman Empire.

As the Ottoman Empire was declining in the 19th century, Berat played an important part in Albanian national revival.  After World War II, it hosted the second session of the Council of National Liberation of Albania when the National Liberation Movement-controlled Anti-Fascist National Liberation Committee which became the Provisional Democratic Government of Albania, with Enver Hoxha as its prime minister and minister of defense.  Hoxha became dictator and remained until his death in 1985.

OK, so is any day in Albania "chill"?

So far, I have forgotten what it means to "chill."  I can hear the first call to prayer this morning, the 27th.  We will go to Berat today... later, I'll post some information on Berat.  You may have noticed that I have had some trouble with the blog... I never claimed to be a computer nerd!

Moms in Prayer with Kathie (l), Rhonda (r)

Yesterday!  What a day!  We were up early (so what else is new?), had breakfast, and then took off for CRU - Campus.  We were to meet with Moms in Prayer.  There was a group of four wonderful moms who had been communicating with the headquarters of Moms in Prayer and have formed a small group to pray for their children and their teachers, friends and schools.  Kathie encouraged them with stories about the prayers for her own children and grandchildren which have been answered over the years.  And, as is so wonderful about Albania, there was quite a spread!  Including a cake without diary (for me).  How cared for I feel!  Then, off to meet with social workers who minister through a Christian organization to two women's (and one men's) prison here in Tirana.

I have had the privilege of speaking with one of their colleagues in the past, but she has married and  moved to Texas.  Since my conversation with Eriola, these energetic young women have expanded their ministry to include the prisoners' children who remain at home, often with abusive husbands/fathers.  They also struggle with how to help these prisoners reintegrate into society.  Sound familiar?  I will tell you more of their stories in the future; we were there to see if we could help them in their ministry.  They do have sewing machines at the prisons, and a seamstress to help train them.   They like to decorate their "cells," and so, these women, the feet of our dear Christ, are investigating whether or not I can go to the prison with them one day next week to make pillows.  If so, you must really cover me in prayer as I will be without Kathie and Rhonda and this is not an easy thing for me... having treated patients on the prison ward during my training.  I still remember the clink of the lock behind me as I entered the patient's medical ward.

But on we go.  We had a few free minutes, so decided to repack our suitcases for our trek today - leaving the Action Packers here with the sewing machines and some of our clothes so that we might be a little "lighter" in the van.  Sparing you all the details, we had figured out our mode of transportation to Berat and connected with ICA to make an appointment to deliver the sewing machines and teach about a dozen women there.  (One thing about Albania is that you must be flexible!).

Dori's finished and quilted quilt!

Later, on a trek to Dori's church to meet with her group and attempt to show them how to quilt, I got lost!  I have been all over this city all by myself and this is the first time I didn't know where I was. Oh, dear.  An hour later, we finally arrived, worked with them to adjust their machines, and told them what they must do to their quilt tops before we can "sandwich" them.  In the meantime, we started on the pillows. Whew!  Catching a cab back to the Stephen Center, we had an appointment to meet an incredible young woman.

Milena, Sharon and Migena

Migena is "just a journalist" with an incredible vision.  Remember those widows and orphans we are to care for?  Well, she is putting feet to that command here in Tirana and a surrounding community.  In the process she has met a few Christian widows who are coming along beside her, not only giving their testimonies as encouragement, but also determined to help somehow.  With her own funds, Migena has put together two meetings with widows, inviting two or three and seeing over 40 attend. While I will fill you in on more details about widows here in the future, their plight is very sad.  Apparently, it is quite common to be widowed in your 30s or 40s with young children; widows are often untrained and/or unschooled and cannot find jobs.  By tradition, they live with and are under the authority of their husband's father or brother.  Can we help?

Perfect dinner - Gloria Restaurant

Well, here is the really exciting part.  I woke up at exactly 3:11 am this morning with an incredible idea!  (At least, I think it is incredible.)  Want to hear it?  Sorry, you'll have to wait as I see if this is what the Father wants me to do!  Sewing, widows, prisoners - can we do something for each of them?  Perhaps.  While we must give them fish, we must also teach them how to fish - and I cannot go back to sleep with excitement and praise for Him - the One who makes everything work all together for good!  Please continue to pray for us as we try to finish this small sprint.  It is so good to be here... thank you for allowing us to do so in your stead.