Hello family,

The Keep n' Stitches team have been working hard and are quickly coming to a close of a couple of projects. The first shipment of clothes and other supplies to Casa de Esperanza, Nicaragua has been sent and well received and we are now waiting to send the second half of those things that were collected for shipment. There are also some exciting possibilities that might be coming about that have to do with Casa de Esperanza. I am not allowed to say much right now, but I ask that you please all pray that God might lead us into doing His will. 

We received a wonderful card Elderhouse Assisted Living Center for the walker saddlebags that the ladies of the group sewed for the elderly to be able to carry around little things that they like as they walk around. The gifts were "unique and greatly appreciated." It is always such a blessing to be able to touch the lives of so many people. Such a small thing can really make a big impact.

The daughters of Keep n' Stitches founder and director V, J and VM, were given an amazing opportunity to play with the New England Youth Ensemble and the Columbia Collegiate Chorale on a tour to South Africa this past June. It was discovered that while on tour, the group would visiting Maluti Hospital in Lesotho (pronounced Leh-su-tu). If you were not aware of it already, Keep n' Stitches has for the past several years sent an annual shipment of baby blankets to Maluti Hospital. These are eagerly accepted and greatly needed due to the poverty of the people of Lesotho and also the cold temperatures of the country, especially during the winter. Since J and VM were going to visit, Keep n' Stitches made an agreement with the NEYE and CCC and was allowed permission to have the blankets transported with the orchestra supplies all the way to South Africa. 

VM (left) and J at the entrance of Maluti Hospital and School of Nursing

Upon arriving to Maluti, the groups were asked to give an impromptu performance and afterwards J and VM were able to physically present Drs. Rodrigues the blankets that had been brought with the groups. They were stored in Dr. Elda Rodrigues' office to be later distributed, but the look of appreciation and gratitude on the doctor's faces were visible and lifted our spirits. About a month later J happened to see the doctors at Spencerville Church and again they expressed their appreciation and told us that the women who had received the blankets for their children were so extremely excited to have received such a unique and special gift. 

Some of the group members enjoy playing with the children.

Director of the NEYE leads out a group of instrumentalists and singers in an impromptu performance.

Dr. Rodrigues accepts blankets brought with NEYE and CCC from Keep n' Stitches.

Dr. Rodrigues with VM and J.

J with Dr. Elda Rodrigues

Dr. Rodrigues shows the group part of the pediatric ward. 

A young mother whose child is in the pediatric ward of Maluti Hospital.
She may be one of those who received one of our blankets.

Please pray for Maluti Hospital as they continue to serve the people of Lesotho and some nearby villages just across the border in South Africa. They have also opened up a school of nursing - so they are not only serving the people but teaching the people how to serve each other and themselves. They could greatly use your prayers and financial support. 

Please pray also for the Keep n' Stitches group as we continue to reach out to others through our crafts. We stitch because we love.