New Creations Ministry is an outreach that began last fall. Our goal is to use teaching and training to improve the lives of the Zambian The current focus centers around the making of handbags using only recycled plastic grocery bags, a pair of scissors and a crochet hook. In a country with few resources and very little capital, such an enterpise is within the reach of most Zambians. In terms of supplies and tools, it is easily sustainable. Since January, over 25 ladies have handcrafted more than 250 bags, ranging from small wallet-sized bags to bags suitable for carrying large loads.

      The ministry is simple. The goal is to help the poor of our church and community. Every Tuesday between 10 and 25 people, mostly women with their pre-school children, gather at our home for an afternoon of crocheting, fellowship and discipleship. Some have never held a crochet hook, while others have years of experience. Tracy takes some time each week for instruction – reviewing basic skills and introducing new patterns and ideas. Many of the folks have no formal schooling, so often times someone translates into one (or more) of the local languages. Tracy and her supervisors also work with each woman one-on-one so that they can learn and progress at their own pace. Since our focus is primarily ministry and not business, Tracy also uses this time as an opportunity to teach and disciple the ladies.

      Most of these women are mothers, many are widows left to care for their children and extended family members (Zambia has the largest AIDS orphan population in the world, burdening already stressed care-givers). Most of the ladies quickly adapt to using the plastic bags for their “yarn”. Weekly evaluation and feedback insures that they are gaining a skill and not just depending on a handout. With unemployment at more than 75%, we do have some men who come on Tuesdays. While they all showed determination in attempting to learn to crochet have, they have found it much easier to work with some of the accessories, rather than crocheting the bags themselves. One young man helps put linings in some of the handbags using our electric sewing machine. Others have learned to make wooden buttons using only a small saw, sand paper and a wire heated over a simple charcoal fire (the kind of fire they use to cook most of their meals).

      Most of the crocheting actually happens outside of the Tuesday afternoon meeting. The women are able to purchase the hooks and take the bags home so that they can work on the bags as time allows. As they complete handbags, they bring them to the meeting. Two Zambian women, Martha and Josina, inspect the bags and make suggestions if changes need to be made. The bags are then priced and tagged and prepared for shipment to the US. The women receive payment as soon as their bag is complete.

      A portion of the proceeds are set aside in a loan fund. In a country where loans are hard to obtain and interest rates often start at 40%, we want to be able to help folks who are working to help themselves. As these monies accumulate they enable regular participants in the ministry to borrow funds - to purchase a small electric hotplate for cooking, to buy shoes for a child so they can attend school or to start up their own business venture (such as sausage making).

      In addition, the women can deposit money in the "bank." For most Zambians, it is impossible to save any money. In Zambia, banks charge more than $20 each month just to have an account. Their communal culture demands that if a relative (however distant) is in need and they have money on hand, they should share it. There is simply little emphasis on planning or preparing for the future. A basic banking system (we simply hold their money for them) teaches them the value of saving and gives them a means to do so.

      In Zambia, The needs are overwhelming. There are few opportunities for formal education or even the learning of basic life skills. Many of the folks in the ministry have never attended school. Others made it to class, but are functionally illiterate. As we teach them, our hope is that they are learning to learn. In addition to teaching them a skill and giving solid, Biblical teaching, one of the future goals is to offer instruction in other practical areas such as child care, health care and educational stimulation for children. Meeting more needs does not dilute our message or our ministry; instead it gives us greater credibility and more opportunities for sharing.