After much thought, I have decided to begin a custom sewing ministry/business. I have sewn for many years as a hobby, making clothes for our children, bedding, curtains,...and the list goes on. When our second daughter was born, I even tried my hand at heirloom sewing and found that I enjoyed that too.
While my children were dancing with Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theater (now called the Atlantic City Ballet), I made costumes for the company.
I still have little ones to sew for, but I find myself longing to use my gift in a bigger way.
About a month ago, I received an email from John Bentley of Harmony Outreach in China, and I quote it here.
Because of your faithful partnership with us in this work I want to give you this candid report. It is time to wire funds to China and we do not have enough to meet all of the needs of our projects—Harmony House, the Kaifeng Deaf School, the DaMing orphanage for teens, and the underground seminary we support. This is not something new. In the past six months I have personally loaned Harmony $30,000. I have no more to lend and thus, for the first time, we face the unpleasant prospect of having to slash support to our projects.
The journey God called me to so many years ago has not always been through green pastures. It has also involved desert places and even the valley of the shadow of death. I have come to understand why one of His titles is “Deliverer.” We have gotten all the way through this economic downturn without it affecting our work in China. It will absolutely break my heart if we now have to cut the support they need so much.
One thing I do know is that it is not my burden to carry. We are mere vessels of clay— designed to demonstrate God’s love and mercy. Apart from Him we can do nothing. It is always up to God! I have observed that it is typically when you are backed up to the Red Sea with the Egyptian Army closing in, thrown into the fiery furnace, or land in the den of lions that God’s power and deliverance falls. Please join your faith with ours that God will once again show His power and deliverance so that we do not have to cut suspend any of our projects.
Agape!
John
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Cor. 4:7-12)
I was so moved by this email that I felt compelled to do something to help. Hence, the development of Three Threads Custom Children's Wear. I have decided to call it Three Threads because the funds earned will be distributed in three ways. The first portion will go to support Harmony Outreach in China(www.harmonyoutreach.org). The second part will be given to our church building program. We are building a new addition with a gym and classrooms which will be used to reach out to our community (www.faithbible.org). The remaining portion will go toward adopting from China.
I have purchased four bolts of fabric, and will be purchasing more soon. Above are the first two styles I have made from the Peaches and Cream collection. The baby bishop styled dress and bloomers are $55 and the bishop styled tunic and gaucho pants are $65.
Here are a few pictures of my daughters modelling. I had one willing subject, and one not so willing. Well, in her defense, it was hot, and I am no photographer. :)
Email me for orders(mccaslinenterprises@yahoo.com). May God bless my efforts, and may it all be for His glory!
