Timbali Crafts ~ Swaziland Africa

A few months ago, at a homeschool moms night out, I had the privilege of speaking with Suzanne. She opened my eyes to a little country in Africa called Swaziland. Never heard of it? Me either. It is a tiny country about 124 miles long and 81 miles wide. This country may be small but it has a huge problem with a population of about a million, 120,000 orphans, highest HIV infection rate in the world and the lowest life expectancy at 32 years - all of this with NO government assistance.


Suzanne went on a mission trip, through Adventures in Missions, to Swazilandlast summer. She experienced first hand the overwhelming sadness and despair that permeates every aspect of their lives. The Lord has given her a heart for the people of this little country. Suzanne is not able to serve in Africa at this time in her life even though I sensed a longing to go back. She is a homeschool mother of 5 children and a helpmeet to her husband. But she is able to serve locally by being a part of Timbali Crafts.



Timbali Crafts is a ministry of 90 women, who cook and serve one hot meal a day 6 days a week for the orphans in their community. They feed over 2,600 children at 14 carepoints. Many of these women face hardships of their own - widowed, abandoned, single moms and grandmothers raising their grandchildren. The women make beautiful handbags, pouches and tablemats to help support their families. The ministry grew out of weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings, which they still continue to practice. You are not only meeting physical needs but providing opportunities for spiritual growth. At these weekly meetings they also cut fabric and hand in bags they have already put together. It is also pay day and the money they earn is used for school tuition, food and medical needs.

You can find our more about this ministry following the links I have posted at the end of this entry. You can watch a brief video to learn more about the ministry, view pictures and read bios of the Timbali women. You can also purchase items directly from the site or to further help you could host a party at your home or church. If you live in the Grand Rapids area and are interested in hosting a party please contact me and I will get you Suzanne's information. Each Timbali item comes with a tag about the woman who created it, which is a really neat idea.

There are many ways to get involved (if the Lord lays it upon your heart to do so):

*Mission Trip to Swaziland - Adventures in Missions

*Child Sponsorship - Children's Hope Chest

*Purchasing handbags - Timbali Crafts

You can see pictures that Suzanne took while in Swaziland here.

Please feel free to pass this information along to your family and friends. :-)



Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress...James 1:27a