As I chat with my friend Debra, the Rebbetzin from Boston I realize that here is a lady who is not afraid of the dark.
I think back to my childhood, that hurdle jump into bed every night for years, peering underneath it with a torch purchased from pocket money to make sure there were no monsters lurking. That fear of the dark that was for a period of time, all encompassing, cruel and merciless until I trained myself to sit in the dark, to walk in the dark as if it were noonday.
When I walked into the sewing room this week, after a shipment of glorious fabrics and highly awaited bling arrived from our Boston family, I realized that I was looking into a room full of treasure, a room packed with riches fit for royalty. My thoughts went to part of the verse from Isaiah 45, “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places…” My friend Deb, is not afraid of the dark. My friend Debra walked into the dark and there found treasure.
Rebbetzin Debra :
“The sun is rising in Boston as it is beginning to set in Shariya. Today the Sewing Hope ladies are eager to show me some dresses they have designed and made for Kurdish brides. Kurdish Wedding Dresses. They are going to donate them to women 'who are less fortunate than they are.'
I think about how far we have come in the six months that I have known them through our online empowerment course. Initially they were reluctant to share, able only to tell me a color they liked. Today they explain that while wedding dresses must be modest, covering shoulders and knees, they can be ornate and highly decorative. They showcase the embellishments, taking care to identify the beading and the bling.
"Always humble, their passion is palpable as we move on to the other dresses they have sewn and they explain what is special about each piece. “I love this fabric, the light blue is like the sky, flowing like clouds, and the black dots are like the rain.”
"They identify their process for me. Each piece begins with the fabric and inspires what we agree is their overall approach, of it all being in the design. As we go forward we will add to our collection of dresses and include shirts, accessories and children’s clothing.
I am so lucky that I get to meet with the Sewing Hope ladies on a regular basis. I have watched them grow in confidence as they have found their voice, using words to convey that which their sewing has long demonstrated."
We are so grateful to Rebbetzin Debra and Superwoman C from Boston, for being a vital part of what I see as the Psalm 30 process, “ You have turned my mourning into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” This is our reality, women who came in with tears and no voice, women who wore black, grey or brown are indeed dancing at weddings, in gold, and scarlet with as much bling as it’s possible to sew on a garment. I stand on the sidelines and observe the power of radical hope. It is a “dayenu” moment.
As I journey on the other side of the ocean I conclude this week with an excerpt from Suzy Kassem’s book, Rise up and Salute the Sun. “I have been finding treasure in places I did not want to search. I have been hearing wisdom from tongues I did not want to hear. I have been finding beauty where I did not want to look. Forgive me, oh Gracious One, for I have been closing my eyes and ears for too long. I have learned that miracles are only called miracles because they are often witnessed by only those who can see through all of life’s illusions. I am ready to see what really exists on the other side, and to taste all of the ugly fruit instead of all that looks right, plump and ripe. “
Selah.
P.S. Due to Lisa traveling in the USA for the next few weeks our updates might be disrupted.
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