The Leso

By Guest Contributor Mandi

This post is all about the leso, or "wrap" for English speakers.  The leso (leh-so) is a piece of fabric with hundreds of uses!  They come in many different colors and patterns and have different Swahili sayings on them.  Every African woman needs several lesos. 

Here are 12 common uses for lesos:

1.  The wallet.  Some women wrap up an end of the leso around coins and carry their money that way.

2. The sling.  This is the only child carrier needed in Africa! 

3. The sweater.  The wrap is needed on cool mornings and evenings as an outer layer.

 

4. The hat.  Wraps are great for covering heads.  

5. The towel.  This leso hangs up on the window to dry as our towels dry on towel racks.  

6. The scarf.  A scarf is needed to keep from inhaling dust or otherwise covering the head or neck. 

7. The hanky/napkin.  Runny nose?  Dirty hands?  The leso is available and washable for these purposes!

8. and 9. The sleep mat and blanket.  These lesos are spread out where traveling guests sleep.  

10.  The mop.  When it is time to mop the floor, a leso is dipped in a water bucket and wiped across the floor using only hands. 

11. The apron.  Lesos are worn around the waist all day long and keep clothes clean while cooking.

12. The backpack/carrier.  The leso in this picture is actually rolled tightly to form a kind of rope that secures this bag for carrying.  

Lesos are seen all over Kenya.  If you travel there, you will be able to buy some in the market or shops.  You will find many uses for a leso if you buy one! 

Prayers

Updates coming soon!!

I. Food/Income Needs

a. Cost to feed a Pastor and his family is about $145 a month
i. One bag of corn ($65) plus one bag of beans ($80)

b. If given two goats, one goat can turn a quick profit as a source of income and food

i. Goats are cheaper right now due to famine

ii. 24 goats cost only $450

c. Chickens are also a good source of income and food

d. Food is such a tremendous need because of the drought and famine

e. Purchasing ONE corn grinder ($3,000) will be a source of income for them all

i. Using the immediate profit from the goats, a corn grinder could be purchased

ii. It will take one year to see a profit from the corn grinder

OTHER IDEAS ARE WELCOME!

II. Bank Account

a. This account will be shared and the resources pooled among the Pastors.

III. Transportation

a. Bicycle for less than $100 (cheaper long-term costs if healthy enough to use)

b. Used motor bike for $500

c. New motor bike for $1,000

d. Money for public transit (where available)

IV. Clothing

a. Each Pastor and his family need clothing in all sizes

b. They expressed a desire for wanting to look as nice as possible 

so people will be able to see that they serve a great God!

V. Faithfulness

a. When these Pastors and families are hungry, 

the Pastor must decide to continue in the ministry

or leave to find work to buy food

b. Other denominations will sometimes hand out food 

if you join their denominations - tempting many to walk away

VI. Church Buildings/Congregation

a. Many of these churches need new buildings

b. Supplies are scarce and costly with no water

c. Some people only have a few people in the congregation

This is what one of the church buildings looks like:

Can you see their need? 

Presentation

Watch Ndata!  (Good evening!)

This is Guest Contributor Mandi once again.  I wanted to let everyone know that Esther and I are both home safely from Kenya.  We will be posting about the trip as we can.  We had a very successful trip and are excited to let you know about it all.

I was able to present my trip to Trinity Bible Church on Sunday evening, September 30, 2012.  There is video of the hour long presentation.  Unfortunately, the entire screen with the powerpoint cannot be seen.