And We're Off And Weaving!
It’s always very exciting to talk about the new things that are happening at Handspun Hope. And today is no exception!
About a year and a half ago, Handspun Hope was gifted a stunning Swedish loom from Azerbaijan following a visit to our campus by a member of the country's ruling family. If you’ve been to our shop in Musanze, then you’ve definitely seen it as it acts as a sort of centerpiece for the whole room! Since its arrival, a few of our women have been learning the craft of weaving - perfecting various techniques and trying out new patterns & color combinations. Of course, using our very own yarn in the process as they do so.
Well, a few weeks ago, a small-but-mighty team arrived at our center from the United States. One of those teammates was a wonderful doctor named Diane Eodice. Besides being a medical professional, she’s also an avid weaver back in Montana. In fact, she and her husband were teasing each other about their respective collections - debating if he has more ‘fixer-upper’ cars in his garage, or if she has more looms in her craft room! The jury’s still out : ) While Diane was at Handspun Hope, she worked diligently with two of the best weavers we have - helping them through some tricky bits that they’d been struggling with, and showing them how to finish off the rug they’d had on the loom for a while. Diane also noted, “I love that they are using imperfect yarn that would otherwise be discarded to make something beautiful. Just as God can work with our imperfect selves to do his beautiful work"
What joy it was to see the teamwork, the sharing of ideas (despite the language barrier), the combining of individual gifts, and the pleased-as-punch looks on their faces when they held the very first completed ‘loom product’ together! It may be small in size, but the meaning behind it is not small at all, as it represents the first in what we’re sure will be a long line of beautiful, colorful, artisanal, Handspun Hope rugs!
Here’s a beautiful poem that Diane thought of a lot during her visit, and so we thought we’d share it with you today!
The Weaver
My life is but a weaving,
Between my God and me;
I do not choose the colors,
He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow,
And I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom is silent,
And shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas,
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the skillful Weaver’s hand,
As the threads of gold & silver
In the pattern He has planned.
My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me;
I see the seams, the tangles,
But He sees perfectly.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim;
He gives His very best to those
Who choose to walk with Him.
* Attributed to Grant Colfax Tullar
