New Bag May 14, 2008

 

This is my new purse.  Its called a bilum (bee-loom).  The picture next to it is of my little friend Ishmael.  His mother, Leah, made me my new purse.  Leah is precious.  She doesn’t smile very often but she is one of the kindest women I’ve ever met.  Ishmael doesn’t smile very much either.  I don’t know what’s happened in their life to make a mother and child not smile but over the 3 months we’ve been here God is beginning to give them joy.  Ishmael is 4 years old but smaller than Ezra who is 2.  When we got our shipment I gave Ishmael a bag of old clothes of Ezra’s.  Leah said a simple yet grateful thank you and walked away. 

    Last week Leah came to my door with Ishmael. With tears flowing down her face she handed me this bag. She made it.  It takes about 2 weeks to make a bilum, that’s working all day.  Most woman sell these for 60 or 80 Kina (20-30 dollars).  She could have made allot of money by selling this purse but instead she gave it to me.  We stood there crying together, awkward because she speaks no English, my tok pisin is not great.  After we hug, she smiled and said “thank you”.  I carry it with me everywhere and remeber the great sacrifice she made.