On the occasion of my ordination into vocational ministry, a stole made by Palestinian women in Ramallah was placed on my shoulders as a reminder of the servant life I had chosen to lead. To this day, I am still inspired when I think about the weathered hands that created that stole.
Recently, I was talking to an Indonesian friend who was looking to hire some more women to work in her tailor shop. She didn’t have the steady income to support such a venture but desired more help. Then I thought, “Why not use the beautiful batik of Indonesia and the willing hands of women on the islands to create stoles? In other words, create a temporary demand to get her on her feet so that she can employ more local women?” And Island Inspirations was born.
An unofficial fair trade micro-enterprise, Island Inspirations supports two local Muslim women as fabric suppliers and two local Hindu women as tailors by generating interest for ministerial stoles from Christian ministers in the United States. The overall cost for each stole includes fabric and sewing, tips for each of the artisans, and shipping and handling.
In today’s world, we all need a renewed global vision. The news and newspapers overwhelm us with negativity, injustice, and need. On Sunday mornings, it is easy to direct our services away from the worries of the week, essentially turning our sanctuaries into worship centers that are disconnected from reality. What if your minister’s vestments reminded you of what each and everyone of us could do, big or small, to make a difference in the world? Consider a batik stole made by local female artisans on the islands as a way of opening your mind and heart to the beauty of Southeast Asia.
Orders can be placed at http://web.me.com/lccomstock/Island_Inspirations/Welcome.html
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Lindsay, former associate pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, is an affiliate with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and has been living and working in Southeast Asia since 2008 where she is an advocate for women and children.