Delivering God’s Love Through Dishcloths

I carefully packed each of the multi-colored crocheted dishcloths into my gigantic suitcase headed for Cuba. These precious cloths represented so much love, dedication and thoughtfulness. They were lovingly made by my dear friend Patty, whose mission in life is to encourage and empower women by showing them how to make unique gifts and household décor with simple, inexpensive supplies. Patty is one of my heroes.

Though she struggles with chronic health issues, Patty serves tirelessly in her community and her church. I first met her while my husband Daren and I were planting our first church in Oaklawn (Lighthouse Community Church). Through the church, she became a dedicated follower of Christ. Now, 10 years later, she is the leader of her own women’s group, “Women Encouraging Women.” I have been honored to visit this group on occasion. Patty is committed to uniting women in this group through teachings, prayer and a craft time (and a potluck dinner!). She teaches the women to make beautiful things out of common items—a lighthouse from clay pots or an ornate cross from clothes pins, just to name a few.

Who would have thought ten years ago when I first met Patty that I would one day be delivering her beautiful homemade dishcloths to under-resourced Cuban women? Isn’t God amazing! Maybe Patty will never get the chance to go to Cuba, but in a way a part of her is there. A part of her has brought smiles and encouragement to women who have few bright spots in their lives. What may seem like a simple dishcloth to you and me is a symbol of friendship and compassion to the Cuban women. To women who have so little of anything new—of anything that is bright and full of color—this dishcloth means something. I watched as they examined each one with delight, taking time to choose the one with the colors they liked. I explained to them who Patty is so they could know she is a part of an urban church in Wichita, Kansas, a church not unlike their own church. A church who also values empowerment of urban women.

Empowerment is not always about the delegation of authority. Sometimes empowerment comes in the form of a crocheted washcloth. A cloth that says, “You are loved. You are valuable. We believe in you.”

I am so honored to be a part of the empowerment of urban women here and across the world.