Speckled Lambs

Lydia is a single mother of two. She lives in an agrarian community in China, some 7 hours via public bus away from the capital of her province. One year ago, she had trouble putting food on the table and was on the verge of pulling her children out of primary school because she could not make the fees.

Without knowing this background, a few people who knew of her, were sovereignly led to design, train and commission her to produce native embroidered handicraft for her livelihood.

We visited her community and found out how much it would it would take for her to support her children and survive. We established the number of craft pieces she could produce in a month and priced the payment to her for the craft produced, so that she and her family could live.

The word of God was also ministered with Matthew 6:33 being the primary thrust. However, because poverty was endemic; principles of stewardship, biblical prosperity and the supernatural power of the living word of God were also taught.

We encouraged her to depend on Him and to pray. To seek Him and to dream His dreams because the handicraft was meant to be only a temporary helpline and not a permanent source of income.

Lydia took in the word of God and soon carried in her heart, a dream, for starting a haberdashery-bedding supplies business in her community.

She was diligent and was able to produce more than the normal quota of handicraft each month. She also expanded the ministry, by distributing the craft out to other needy ladies in her village and paying them a livable wage for their work.

Beyond everyone’s expectation, Lydia today has managed to save enough money and recently started her dream business.

Her children have continued their schooling and the latest reports are that her oldest daughter is excelling in school.

Her story has developed beyond our imaginations and expectations.

Truly God is able. If we would only catch hold of Him and not let go.

The other amazing thing emerging from this story is the impact Lydia’s example of faith, faithfulness to her God and diligence, is having on the people who know her, and have watched her develop.

The poverty mindset is a stronghold that keeps many peoples and communities trapped in a vicious cycle. In this story we are beginning to witness ones around her, inspired by her faith and journey out of poverty, begin to turn their own hearts to the Living God and to hope in Him for a “Lydia miracle” for themselves as well.

We will probably not know when or how this story and its spin offs will end, but it has been a privilege to have been given a front row seat on this one thus far.

Footnote: Lydia will continue to make handicraft for a while more until her business is a little steadier. Manna is for the wilderness and she has entered her Promised Land. The ministry to the other women in her village will continue for as long as there is a leading to do so. These handicraft are featured in the Speckled Lambs Shop Pages under Community Livelihood Projects – coming online soon.