Handbags in an assortment of colors, sizes and shapes.


A weekly meeting, held in our home, gives opportunity for instruction,
encouragement and a time for Bible study.


Ladies of all ages are eager to learn. They often help each other by
translating my English instructions into one of the 70 tribal languages.


Children and husbands help the ladies by cutting the grocery bags into
strips and connecting them in preparation for crocheting.


Tuesday meetings provide time for fellowship and fun
while hands stay busy.


A medium-sized bag blending solid black bags
with a black and white bag gives a lovely result.


A simple bow dresses up this small-sized bag.
A decorative stitch finishes off the upper edge.


This striking orange and black bag has a Velcro closure and accent
beads made in the neighboring war-torn country of Zimbabwe.


Beginners work side by side with those who are more experienced. Note the blue
and black plastic that is used to create a bag like the small blue one with the bow


Creative pom poms made with the handles of the
grocery bags dress up this sporty black and white bag.


A closer look at the accents, including a hand made wooden button closure.


A resourceful Zambian woman used a variety of plastic bags to come up
with this bright bag and added trim and beads to finish it off.


A close-up look at the beaded details.


Moms arrive with babies strapped to their backs. They are
able to create bags which enables them to go to the clinic
when baby or mom get sick.


Some women have recently come from the rural villages and
have never gone to school and don't understand any English.  
But that doesn't keep them from creating beautiful bags.


Older women find ways to earn income by working diligently from their
homes. In a society ravaged by AIDS, grandmothers are often raising
orphaned grandchildren.


Some diligent ladies can make up to 8 bags a week. Catherine Mwape has
reached out to her neighbors and has brought a friend who lost her leg in
a mini bus accident.


Each of the ladies are encouraged to carefully inspect their
own work to find mistakes and correct them.


This lovely extra large yellow and black bag measures
about 12"x 22". It makes a great beach bag.


This bag has been lined by Caleb Mwailenge, our pastor's son,
whose work enables him to help with the family income.


Caleb, along with some other men, had the determination to
learn to crochet, but he has found it easier to use our
sewing machine to sew liners.


Josina, a house mother at an orphanage near our home,
puts the finishing touches on a lined bag made of
beautiful red, white and blue plastics.


The finished product is both sturdy and beautiful.


Peter was one of those men who tried hard to crochet.  
Instead he now makes wooden buttons. Here he is using
a wire heated in a fire to burn holes in the buttons.


Simon, Peter's friend, came to our house for handbags,
and is now a student in Mark's Bible school. Here he burns
designs on the buttons with a hot wire.


The finished buttons add an African accent to this bag. The blue,
green and black design is achieved by alternating different colored strips.


The ladies may choose to add beads to their bags. During Tuesday
meetings we work together to share ideas and opinions about what looks attractive.


Each bag has a tag which includes the name and a photo of the lady who
handcrafted the bag.  They gain a sense of joy and pride seeing their tag
attached to the finished product.


Tracy with Josina and Martha, who help to supervise the handbag ministry.