My time in Indonesia....

I've had some people ask about the time I spent in Indonesia in 2007. So I thought I would write up a post about my adventures for anyone who is keen to read to it.

During 2007 I was involved with Youth with a Mission, which is a worldwide christian organisation. As part of the course I did with YWAM, there was a 2 month overseas mission component. So our team, which consisted of 4 staff members, and 7 students, went to Borneo and Papua.

(Photos clockwise from top left: Our welcome to Indonesia when the van broke down; organising a games day carnival for orphans in Borneo; a small wooden house we stayed at; some local village kids playing in the river; and us washing our dishes in the same river.)

This was my first time overseas, and I was none too eager to leave the comforts of home and life in Australia! And let me tell you, the culture shock was immense! I remember arriving in this tiny and dirty airport in Pontianak (capital of Borneo,) and being picked up by the local YWAM team in a rather old and very sad looking van. Well, soon into our hour long journey, the van broke down, and there we were, pushing it along the side of the road. And this was our introduction to Borneo!

We primarily lived in remote villages, and just lived and worked with the locals. We often stayed at a pastors house, and by house, I mean a wooden shack. We were very fortunate if we had access to a 'squatty potty' and more often than not we would bathe in the river, wash our clothes in the river, and wash our dishes in the river. Goodness knows what people were doing further upstream in that river!! It didn't bare thinking about!

(Photos clockwise from top left: Myself and Anna the girl from the Leperosy hospital; a beautiful beach in Borneo; a common form of transport in Indo - by dump truck! Incase you can't tell, there are about 20 people in the back of it; And finally, our missions team, with a local pastor, center.)

We preached in churches, held kids ministry times, did open air evangelism, led worship, slashed rice fields for the locals, planted cocoa trees, led christian seminars, painted an orphanage and fixed their roof, visited homes, prayed for people and played volleyball, amongst many, many other things. Actually, we played alot of volleyball. They are mad about volleyball over there!!

All through our time there, again and again, we would see God's grace in action. We were completely naive, and had no idea what we were doing. But God knew. And He worked and spoke through our sometimes feeble attempts. He touched hearts and changed lives. All up we saw 94 people come to know Christ and have a relationship with Him. And we were able to baptise 4 people. We saw a mans leg healed after praying for him. Amazing things happened, and I have so many stories I could share with you all. Hopefully some of these photos might give you a glimpse.

(Photos clockwise from top left: Myself praying for a young girl in Papua; playing with kids; our turn to ride in the back of a dump truck {incredibly fun and scary at the same time!}; Myself and my friend Rachel baptising a young man, Wanto in the river; preaching in the open air in Papua; and the center photo is me and my friend Kim singing an Indonesian song we had learnt.)



And whilst it was an amazing and wonderful time of my life, it was also the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I missed my family dreadfully. There were no comforts there. The electricity was frequently not working, the heat and humidity was immense, and drinking water was either boiled or bought. The boiled water tasted like smoke and was hot to drink. The food was incredibly spicy (which some of our team loved!) Me, on the other hand, lived off white rice and fried chicken for 2 months! No such thing as a fridge over there either, so the chicken that was cooked in the morning, was left outside for lunch and dinner. 'Twas truly a miracle that we didn't get more sick than what we did!! And let me tell you, going to those places made me truly realise how much we take our lives for granted. To be able to turn on the tap and drink clean water is such a blessing.

(Photos clockwise from top left: our knights in a leaky tin boat! On our return from a village our boat ran out of petrol. Thankfully some passers by saw us and gave us a tow!; standing in front of the monument built to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of missionaries coming to Bukisi, a small remote village; kids ministry in Papua; Team member Jimmi found a water snake right in the spot where we bathed!; and last but not least - me holding a python Jimmi found outside where we sleep! And no, I don't make it a habit of holding wild snakes!)

Even though we were going with the goal to help and bless others, I really think that we were helped and blessed more. I remember going to a leperosy hospital run by Catholic nuns in Borneo. I admit, at first I felt quite uncomfortable, seeing these people in such horrible condition. Most of them were missing fingers or legs or arms.
But I remember this beautiful girl, Anna, who came up to me and put her hand in mine. I looked down at her hand in mine, and noticed she was missing most of her fingers. But I looked into her face, and that was shining with such incredible love and joy. It was like her face was shining a reflection of Jesus. And I felt so ashamed of myself, that I cried and gave her a hug. And well, she never left my side the whole time we were there. I was able to play chess with her (another game the Indonesians love!) and pray for her. I will never forget the impact that Anna has had on my life. As much as I was there to help her, I think I got the most help.

And I guess that is why I just want to go back and continue to help them. There is so much need over there, and I just feel so honoured that God has entrusted this mission to my care. That He has the faith in me to carry it through.

I think it would be fitting to finish off this post with my saying/motto for my time in Indonesia, which was "Puji Tuhan." Which in english, simply means, "Praise God."

If you would like to see more photos from my time in Indonesia, I have some albums on facebook, here, here and here.

Full steam ahead!

Myself, and a gorgeous girl from a village in Borneo.

Well, things have been rather busy here of late. Mainly because I am madly sewing items as I'm going to Papua in March! Yes, March!! And yes, it's actually happening!

Some of the blankets I have been making. The polar fleece was part of a huge donation by Lisa, and the cotton fabric is donated by my boss. I figure the polar fleece will be nice and soft for kids to lie on, but also useful as a covering too. Suprisingly it gets quite cold in the high mountain regions of Papua.

My friend Lael and I have reserved our flights, and we will be jetting off on the 27th of March, and coming back on the 6th of April. Whilst I am extremely excited, and a wee bit nervous, I am also pretty anxious to make sure I have enough things sewn and made to make the trip worth my while.

I've actually been counting down the days, and trying to mathematically work out how many dresses I can make in a day, or how many pairs of shorts I can make in however many weeks. And even though my maths is not my strong point, I've been coming to the conclussion that I just don't have enough time to do everything I need to do, and make everything I need to make.With everything else going on in my life at the moment, I was really starting to worry that I wouldn't make the deadline for our trip and have enough things made.

I was actually starting to panic and get quite stressed! And I was beginning to think I would have to postpone the trip.

Kids, playing in the river.

But, our amazing and great and wonderful God had it all in His hand. He answered my pathetic cries for help in a wonderful way, by having me cross paths with a wonderful woman from my church, Janice.
She loves to make clothes, and always wanted to make clothes for kids overseas, and is now very excitedly making clothes for Sew Blessed! How wonderful is that?! I just feel so blessed by her kindness and generosity, and by Gods goodness. He is always so faithful to provide, and I love being on this journey with Him. Talk about exciting and never a dull moment!

Another simple blanket. Don't you just love that colourful polar fleece?!

So a huge thank you to Janice for helping with Sew Blessed!

And another huge thank you to my wonderful boss, Gail, and her daughter Rebecca, who donated 4 big bolts of fabric!! I'm sure you can imagine how thrilled I was to recieve these beautiful bolts. They are just perfect!

I've already been making some skirts and dresses from the pink spot fabric, and blankets too from the cream and green fabric.

So once again, a big thank you to Gail and Rebecca of Patchwork with Gail B. Please, if you are a patchworker, or a sewer, check out their website, or visit the store in Bayswater, VIC. Please support them as they helped to support us! :)


And finally, two awfully pretty fabrics which were donated by my lovely friend Steph, in South Australia. Thanks so much Steph! I'm already making a cute as dress from the blue spot.

Talk about exciting times here at Sew Blessed!! I can't believe my dream and vision from God is actually happening, and I'm going to fulfill what we set out and planned to do. Exciting stuff!!

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him." Psalm 28:7

Ladies in Papua

December Update.

I'm sure I'm not the only one scratching my head, wondering what happened to August and September. I mean, it was only June a few weeks ago, right?

Sometimes it scares me how fast the days go by. Which always reminds me that I need to cherish each day I have on this earth, and use my days wisely. I'm making a determined change to stop wasting time watching TV or reading useless things, but to do something else with my time, and be wise in how I spend it.

I don't want to get to the end of my life and go, "what happened to my 20's? What did I do in my 30's?" I want to enjoy every moment, and most importantly, live each moment for God.

So, what has been happening here at Sew Blessed?

Well, I had the most wonderful shock and suprise when Lisa (no blog) donated 3 huge garbage bags full of kids fabrics and polar fleece!! I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for days!! Thank you so so VERY much to Lisa for her most generous donation. I already have so many ideas of what to make with the gorgeous fabric.

I'm still hoping and aiming toward going to Indonesia in March. I really need to get a wriggle on though and make some more items. If by some chance I have not got enough things made, I might have to postpone my trip and go later in the year.

But here are some more cuties that I have sewn lately. The pretty purple and pink small floral fabric was donated by Sandy (no blog,) and I'm sure some little girls are going to just love it!

All things happen for a reason...

You know, I don't believe in conincidences. I really don't. I seriously believe that everything that happens in my life is a result of God and His hand at work. For example, the day I got stuck behind an awfully slow car on the road meant I was 1 minute late in missing an accident at an intersection up ahead. Something that I was impatient and annoyed about probably saved my life.

And it doesn't just happen to me either. I am sure alot of you have similar stories. My friend stopped at a red light a number of years ago late at night. When the lights turned green, his car wouldn't move forward. The car was running, but no matter how hard he pressed the gas, it would not move. (And no - he didn't have the hand brake on!) A few seconds later, a massive truck ran through the intersection in the opposite direction on the red light. As soon as the truck passed through, my friends car moved forward. True story! How great is our God?!

And it's not just in the big things of life either that I don't think coincidences exist, but in the small, seemingly unimportant bits too. Like with my sewing for Sew Blessed. See the pink dress up above? The pink material was a pillowcase I found at an Op shop a few months back. I wanted to use some of Mellys gorgeous fabric to 'pretty it up,' so found the lovely oval shaped fabric that matched in perfectly. That fabric from Melly was already cut into rectangles. I had to have a chuckle when I realised that the rectangles were the exact same width as the pillowcase, even minus the seam allowances!

I know some people would say that's just sheer luck and a coincidence, but no. I believe God has a hand in it all. Sometimes we just need to be open to let Him work. And open our eyes to see Him work.

So I just had to share some of the bits I have been making of late! Yay for finally having some time to sew!! The blue shorts were the first ever pair of shorts I have made. And I am so chuffed with them! I didn't have a pattern, but just sort of drew and guessed - and yay, they worked! Once again, I used some of Mellys fabric to smarten them up. I think I'll be making alot of shorts as the boys are constantly wearing them for playing and swimming etc.

I made the pretty green dress yesterday, once again using a pillowcase and some of Mellys donated fabric. I love this dress! I just added a simple casing around the middle with some Amy Butlers Daisy Chain, and threaded elastic through. Just to give it some shape and body. We think this dress should fit an 8-10 year old.

Oh, and some other big news. A dear friend of mine is going to Indonesia in March next year, and I am hopefully going to tag along with her! She is going to Bali and Papua for 2 weeks, which is exactly where I wanted to go. So I am now madly sewing items to be ready in time! I can't wait!!!

So I shall leave you with a photo of a beautiful beach in Papua....
... and the damaging after effects of such a beach, with sunburn!!

I still have scars on my shoulders!

In awe...

You know, back when God gave me the idea of Sew Blessed, I must admit I had some narrow vision at the time. I only saw this as a small-scale-one-woman-mission. But God has bigger things in mind than what I can only imagine, and I am constantly in awe when people want to get involved with my project and help. Not in awe that people are generous, for I know you are! But just in awe that people are catching the vision that God has placed in my heart. And that is exciting!

And God is going over and above, and exceeding my every expectation with Sew Blessed. When I dream small, He dreams big! So, I have recieved two wonderful donations that I would like to share with you.

I had the most lovely email a few weeks back from the talented and fabulous Melly, from Melly and Me. She had seen my Sew Blessed blog, wanted to get invovled and help, and she said she would send me some goodies in the mail.

Now, what a suprise I got when this arrived soon after....


My jaw was seriously on the ground, as I excitedly explored through the goodies Melly had sent.

Not only did she send me a stack of gorgeous fabric from her stash, she also sent some of her fantastic Melly and Me patterns so I can make some toys for the kids! And she included 2 of her gorgeous bags! Look at the bags! Aren't they super cute?!



Well, I'm sure you can imagine my excitement! So a HUGE thank you to Melly for these wonderful items. I can't wait to start making some toys for the kids!
And to anyone else reading, go visit Mellys blog and check out her great patterns!

Now onto my second donation, which I just recieved in the mail this morning. A sewing friend of mine from Western Australia, Linda, has once again shocked me by all these fantastic items she sent me.



Linda has made 16 fabulous pairs of shorts, 6 pretty skirts, and has also included a massive roll of elastic, a pack of ric rac and lace, and a huge spool of thread!! Wow! Thank you so much Linda! It is all just wonderful and perfect.

So yes, if I wasn't feeling so dreadfully ill with the flu I would be jumping around with joy and excitement! Such wonderful donations, and once again - a huge thank you!

An update..

(Papuan kids playing Soccer)

Well, things are getting quite exciting here! I have had alot of people interested in helping in some way with Sew Blessed, which is such an encouragment to me! It is wonderful when other people catch my idea and vision, and get involved and help. What a joy!

I've had ladies from all over the world keen to be involved, which is just fantastic! So a huge thank you to you all! So many children are going to be blessed by your generosity.

I have also been feeling led to consider Papua as a place for my first trip. I went there in 2007, and I have a number of contacts there. I've been told there is an orphange with 25 kids in need of some love and care. So I'm praying about this, and seeing where God would lead us to go.

Isn't this little girl just delightful? We went to their village for a day (would you believe, their village is called K19? Most of these people have been placed in areas by the government, and the villages are given numbered names to keep an easy record of places and people.)
Anyway, this little girl was so shy, but she kept following me around for the whole day, and eventually I was able to snap this photo of her. What a darling she is.



Thank you to my friend Julie for this donation of wonderful fabric! I can already picture little dresses, and headscarves, and toys, and all sorts of good things! Thanks Julie!

"The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it"

Sir Fances Bacon

How to help?

I've had people asking me how they can get involved with "Sew Blessed,' and help out. So I thought I would outline a few suggestions of ways you can get involved.

Basically I need fabric to make items, whether it be clothes or little toys. Now, any fabric is welcome, including fabric from a shop (say Spotlight) off the bolt, or good secondhand items, like pillow cases, sheets and old cotton shirts etc. As long as the fabric is still in good useable condition, I can make plenty of items from things like pillow cases or shirts. Maybe raid your linen closets and see what you no longer need and send it in. Or go through your husbands wardrobe and find some shirts he no longer wears. It's amazing what you can actually make from a mens shirt! I've made a dress from one, and once a few cute trimmings are added, like some ribbon, and buttons -it's gorgeous!

If you can sew, and you'd like to help make items - go for it! I've included a few links on the left in my sidebar which are for easy tutorials for making clothes. Or you can come up with something yourself!

If you have any other ideas, or suggestions to get involved, please contact me - I'd love to hear from you.

And just to finish off with a photo of some gorgeous fabric that has been donated. Thank you Sandy for sending it in - it's just gorgeous, and I'm so blessed by your generosity. Watch out for coming photos of the finished items!

Blessed by beauty...

I went for my daily walk this morning, and I was just in awe at the beauty of creation and nature all around me. There was a heavy frost on the ground, but the sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun was just rising, casting golden sparkles. The colours were just breathtaking. I am always amazed at the beauty all around me, and its all the handiwork of an awesome Creator and God. How kind of him to create wonders and beauties for us to enjoy and love.

As I was walking, I really caught a desire to bless these children with beauty. Alot of the children I met in Indonesia don't live in very beautiful places, and their clothes are tatty and worn. I don't want to just make clothes for them, I want to make beautiful clothes and items. I want to make things that are special, and have been made with love, care and attention. I want these children to feel beautiful and special when they wear these clothes, or hug that toy, and I want them to see the beauty in this world.

I wanted to share some of my excitement with you about the first dress I have made. I was amazed at how quick and easy it was to make, and I just love how it has turned out. The bright yellow is just gorgeous, and I love the funky strip at the bottom.


Would you believe that this dress came from a cotton curtain I found at the Op Shop? I've chopped it all up and made two dresses from it. I can't wait to see a beautiful little girl wearing it someday.

I've also been blessed by some beautiful fabric that has come my way, which will be perfect for dresses, shorts and blankets.

God is always so good to provide us with what we need, and to bring people across our path at just the right time. It's always so exciting!

So, be blessed and encouraged by the beauty all around you. It may just be a flower you passed on your way to work, or a smile from a friend. Be blessed!

Introducing...

"A faith-based mission dedicated to blessing orphaned children in South East Asia through clothes and handmade items."

:The Background:

In 2007, I spent two months in Borneo and West Papua doing missionary work. We lived in remote villages, in amongst the locals, and helped them in anyway that we could. We slashed paddocks for rice crops, we taught english in schools, we preached in churches, and prayed over people who needed healing. It was the most amazing 2 months of my life.

In amongst these, and other things, we also were able to help out at an orphanage in Pontianak, Borneo. We repainted some rooms, helped to repair the old leaky roof, and played with the children. My heart was opened to these beautiful children, and not just the children from this particular orphanage, but to each child I met during my time in Indonesia. Alot of them were living in terrible poverty, yet their faces shone with hope and happiness. These beautiful children changed my life, and I've wanted to find some way to help and bless them for so long now. These kids deserve every good thing in this world, and hopefully we can show them the love of God, and make a small difference in their life.

:The Vision:

I feel that God has placed an idea, a vision in my heart, and that is to bless these children with handmade gifts and love. I want to make pretty dresses, shorts, blankets, skirts, singlets, dolls and toys, and then bundle them all up and deliver them personally to the children that need them most. I know this simple act of giving handmade clothes, blankets and toys will mean so much to them, and will be such a blessing to their hearts, and I want to see their faces when they recieve these blessings, and share in their joy.

I am so excited about making these beautiful items, for these beautiful kids, and sharing God's love with them. I hope that you may catch my vision and dream, and join me in this important mission of giving to others.

:How you can help:

If you feel touched to join me, there are a number of ways you can help.

1. Make something! Can you sew? Brilliant! We are making simple items of clothing and blankets, that can easily be made by someone with limited experience on a sewing machine. Please see some of the links on our sidebar for patterns and tutorials. Or come up with your own ideas and make something. Perhaps you aren't a sewer, but you knit or crochet - fantastic! Knitted blankets for babies, and knitted toys and booties are perfect. Get your friends involved, and spread the word. If you need some ideas, or have questions, please contact me.

2. Donate items! Do you have some old (but clean!) pillowcases, sheets or fabric lying around that you no longer want? Or perhaps your local Op Shop has a great stash of items? Please feel free to send them in, and we can make clothes, blankets and dolls from them. We do prefer 100% cotton (due to the warm climates the items will be going to,) but Polycotton is fine too. We also need thread (for sewing machines,) and more elastic.

3. Give financially! Perhaps you can't sew, but you still want to help out. Donations of money are gratefully accepted, and will go towards purchasing fabric and thread, and the airfare to deliver these items personally.

Please contact me if you have any questions at all. I'm happy to help!

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."

1 John 3:18