Pretty, Alex & Peace

Alex Carpenter, a 23 year old hair stylist from Seal Beach, California, had no idea when she ventured to Kayamandi, South Africa in July of 2010 that Pretty and Peace would rock her world.

Little did Pretty and Peace know how God would use Alex to change their lives forever.

Pretty and Peace are two of the teenage, abandoned girls living in our Tapestry Safe Homes.  Pretty (whose native Xhosa name is Koelimate), 17, never knew her father and grew-up on and off the streets of Kayamandi, a squatter community of over 40,000 people living in one square mile.

She remembers seeing her mother struggle to support them or to find a man to take them in who wasn’t abusive or an alcoholic.  As a young girl, Pretty even witnessed one of her mother’s boyfriends try to kill her mother.

Peace (Noxolo), 15, grew-up in a broken family.  She occasionally spots her half brothers and sisters throughout Kayamandi, and she has even passed her father on the street–but they barely give one another a half-nod. 

Prior to moving into the Tapestry Safe Home, she did what she could to find food, and she lacked any real supervision.  She suffered from intense abuse, which landed her in the hospital for a short time.

By the end of that missions week back in July 2010, Alex had become particularly close to Peace having spent endless hours getting to know her and the other Tapestry girls. 

When it came time for Alex to say her good-byes, Peace was purposely nowhere to be found.  Abandonment is a wound for these girls, and trusting anyone has all too often ended in unbearable disappointment and pain.

As Alex tried to process the pain and trauma that had scarred the young lives of Pretty, Peace and the other Tapestry girls, she could feel God tugging at her heart. 

Was God calling Alex to use her interpersonal skills and inner-healing training to help these wounded girls repair their own hearts?  

In July of this year–one year later–Alex left her job as a hairstylist, settled her local affairs, left her family and friends and the sun and sand of Seal Beach, rejoined the Tapestry/Threads Mission Team, and she did what few people would ever consider—she moved to Kayamandi.

Here’s the rest of Alex’s story in her own words:

“The first week upon my return, I led a Threads of Discipleship weekend with all of the girls of the Tapestry Safe Homes.  They were asked to create a timeline of their fractured lives.  Peace didn’t make it half way through before breaking down in tears.”

“About two months after I moved to Kayamandi, Pretty, Peace and I sat on a blanket on the grass outside the safe houses with our Bibles, and we talked for several hours about what the Bible says and everything about God.”

“I soon realized that even though they said they believed in the teachings of the Bible, the two of them had never accepted Jesus as their Savior.”

“That following Sunday, Pretty and Peace came with me to church and Pretty answered the alter call and accepted Christ.” 

Pretty Being Baptized

“The following week Peace did the same.  On October 30, 2011 they were both baptized along with 12 year-old Ongezwa, another girl from the Tapestry Safe Homes.” 

“This November Pretty and Peace both received certificates for completing their first year of the art and photography program at Kuyasa, and Pretty received a certificate and award for being the most improved student at Film School Africa.”

Pretty

“Pretty wants to continue her work in film and has dreams of becoming an actor, director and producer–she’s very ambitious.”

“Peace has joined the leadership development program at Kuyasa called Hats and Glasses, and we are constantly getting reports of her being “the life of the party”.”

“She brings at least one new person to church every week, and she started a Bible study with her two roommates at the safe house.”

Peace

“Peace sent me a video in which she said, “I used to think about killing myself, but since you got here I don’t think about that anymore because I have experienced God’s love.  I know I have a purpose and I want to finish this journey.””

“Pretty and Peace constantly strive to be the best they can be, and they have a great deal of influence on the young people around them.  I have no doubt they will play pivotal roles in expanding God’s Kingdom.  By the time they finish their journeys, Kayamandi will never be the same…the WORLD will never be the same.”

July 8th: At 10:00 am Friday morning, the team, girls, housemothers, our local Kuyasa partners, community leaders, and local donors gathered at the site to dedicate the new Tapestry Orphan Home. And what a celebration it was.

It is important to us that the Kayamandi community “take ownership” of the Tapestry Orphan Village and identify our local Kuyasa partners in a leadership role. To that end, we were delighted to invite the new Chief Operating Officer of Kuyasa, Nkosanathi (Co-sen-a-tee), to MC the event.

The celebration began with Nkosanathi welcoming the community, thanking all of the participants, and casting a vision for what the new home will mean to the girls living in the Tapestry Orphan Village. This third home will be a place where: the girls can concentrate on their studies; they can gather to celebrate special events; they can be discipled and receive counseling from the new social worker, Bonani (who will office in the home); and the home will be an emergency shelter for abandoned teenage girls seeking refuge from the streets of Kayamandi.

We all then gathered around the girls and housemothers to lay hands on them and pray, followed by the placement of the Tapestry Homes cross and anointing of the home. We joined in the cutting of the ribbon, and the girls and housemothers were welcomed to their new home. Inside, guests were invited to tour the home, and the girls and housemothers showed their appreciation by blessing us with song and dance.

We were overcome with emotion as we bathed in God’s faithfulness and reflected on the privilege of bringing salt and light to these forsaken young girls. God is powerfully using Tapestry Homes to make a visible difference in the lives of these girls–girls who just two years ago entered the first Tapestry Orphan Home as shy and emotionally broken individuals and who are now blossoming into confident, loving and hopeful young ladies.

With tear-filled eyes and warm embraces, we said our goodbyes to the girls and housemothers. We left more encouraged than ever seeing the mighty foundation God has laid for the future of the Tapestry Orphan Village with the completion of the first three homes and the timely arrival of Bonani and Nkosanathi.

When the remaining three homes are completed, we can visualize a holistic, Christ-centered community where lives are redeemed, life-skills are learned, and discipleship is nurtured. A place where the girls go on to college or learn a marketplace skill, and where they return to mentor and encourage other girls living in the village.

It is a beautiful snapshot of the body of Christ working together to develop a sustainable, replicable model of community. A community that touches hearts and changes lives eternally.

July 6^th & 7^th: On Wednesday, the final coat of paint was applied to the home’s exterior while painting of the interior trusses was completed.

Laying of the laminate flooring was finished, electrical wiring and placement of outlets and switches was nearing completion, plumbing fixtures were set into place, and internet wiring was connected to the home.

By day’s end, all of the landscaping had been delivered to the site including new plants, flowers and sod. Last year, we formed a relationship with the owner of a local nursery, Issie, who donated all of the plant material. Issie paid us a visit on Monday afternoon and committed to partner again with us by supplying all of the plant material for the new home. It is extremely gratifying to join hands with local South Africans who have a heart for Tapestry Homes and want to share their love of Jesus with the orphaned girls.

Clear skies and warm temperatures continued to bless us on Thursday morning as the team arrived in force. What was about to unfold could only be described as managed chaos. We had one day to complete the home and ready it for Friday morning’s community celebration.

The girls, who were on Winter Holiday from school, joined in with planting of flowers and painting of the window and door trim. Without being asked to do so, the girls volunteered their help and wanted to put their stamp on the new home. Our hearts were overflowing with joy to see team members and the girls working side-by-side and to realize just how far the girls have come in such a short time. God is doing a mighty work in these precious girls.

By mid afternoon, the window and door trim had been cut, painted and secured to the home. Electrical and plumbing were completed, landscaping was nearing completion, paint touch-up was finished, the veranda was under construction, and the house was cleaned.

Furniture and furnishings were moved into the home by late afternoon as the final construction and painting of the veranda took place and the sod was laid extending the grass courtyard to the edge of the new home. By 6:45 pm and with dusk turning to night, the home was finished and ready for Friday morning’s celebration. Praise God.

July 5^th: We awoke to a beautiful day in Kayamandi—clear skies, sunny and warm in the afternoon (high 60’s). A perfect day for painting our third Tapestry Orphan Home. And painting we did.

Our morning began with a floor signing by team members and the girls living in the first and second homes. The team shared encouraging scripture verses and blessings for the girls, housemothers and our newly hired social worker, Bonani. After a several month search, we have been blessed with Bonani who comes to us with a Masters Degree in Social Work, and she speaks four languages. She is amazing, and we are looking forward to having her join us in the dedication celebration on Friday.

Following the floor signing, the team began priming the exterior while adjustments were made to the interior roof trusses. By 10:30 the exterior of the house was completely primed. We then turned our attention to the interior and finished priming before lunch.

In the afternoon, the second and final coat of paint on the interior was completed as the laminate flooring began to be laid, and the electrical wiring began. The team returned home with sore necks and backs, but satisfied with the progress made.

Tomorrow is scheduled for completion of electrical and plumbing, exterior painting and trim, and completion of flooring. Stay tuned.

Our team of 24 gathered on site at 8:30 am to pray over the construction of the home. At 9 am the first wall panel was erected. The wall panels are locally-manufactured using a lightweight concrete exterior panel and a recycled cardboard interior that is designed in a honeycomb to provide excellent insulation.

The panels are dropped into a “U” channel along the perimeter of the floor, and adjacent panels are interlocked using an aluminum “H” channel that connects to both ends of the panels. No screws or nails are required to hold the panels in place.

At 12:07 pm the last of the exterior wall panels was set into place, and by 5 pm the final roof panel was fastened to complete construction of the structure. Amazing to think that an entire home could be constructed in 8 hours.

The foundation piers are in place and the plumbing and electrical trench has been dug for the third Tapestry Orphan Home.  Beginning on Monday morning, July 4th, the factory-prefabricated, panelized walls will “go vertical” and, weather permitting, the entire three-bedroom, one-bath home will be erected by the end of the day—that’s right, in one day!

The patented, panelized wall system is constructed of exterior sheets of lightweight concrete that are separated by a recycled cardboard, honeycomb interior insulation.  The locally-manufactured, interlocking panels are durable, fireproof, weatherproof, and insulated.

On Day 2, the home will be painted and electrical and plumbing installation will begin.  On Day 3, the electrical and plumbing work will be completed, plumbing fixtures will be put in place, the laminated wood flooring will be laid, and landscaping will commence. 

Cabinetry will be installed on Day 4, clean-up will take place, new furniture and furnishings will be installed, and landscaping will be finished.  On Day 5, the community will come together with our team to celebrate the home’s completion, and the orphaned girls will be welcomed to their new home.

This third home of the six-home Tapestry Orphan Village will serve a variety of needs for the existing and future girls.  It will be: an emergency home of refuge for hopeless young girls living in the squatter community who need immediate shelter; an office for a trained counselor; a study hall; a retreat where special occasions can be celebrated; and an office for our local sponsorship coordinator, Nicky.

In partnership with Threads Africa, our 24 member team will depart the week of June 27^th and unite on Friday evening, the 1^st.  The next two days prior to the start of construction will be spent with the girls and housemothers on a retreat, Threads of Discipleship, where they will learn life skills and receive the message that God loves them and so do we.

Friends and donors gathered on Thursday, June 2

Aroma Di Roma is a popular Café Italiano on bustling 2^nd Street in Belmont Shore serving breakfast, lunch, appetizers, dinner and dessert together with Italian-style espresso drinks, gelato and a notable European beer and wine selection.

Aroma donated 40% of the entire day’s proceeds to support Tapestry Homes’ efforts to provide a safe and loving home for desperate teenage girls living in the squatter community of Kayamandi where 30,000 residents live in dirt floor shacks within 1 square mile.

“Our business has prospered this past 8 years, and I felt it was time to give something back—it’s part of our culture”, said Tim Terrell, founder of Aroma Di Roma. “Tapestry Homes is making a global impact, and we couldn’t think of a better group to support.”

A Tapestry Homes team of 24 people will travel to Kayamandi in early July to build a Tapestry Orphan Home in just 5 days.  Follow our progress with daily blog posts beginning July 4^th.

A passionate and spirited team of 24 volunteers from various parts of the U.S. will return to Kayamandi, South Africa on June 30th to build our third Tapestry Orphan Home..

This third home of the six-home Tapestry Orphan Village will be a special place serving a variety of needs.  It will be an emergency home of refuge for hopeless young girls living in the squatter community of Kayamandi who find themselves in need of immediate shelter, or needing to escape an abusive situation. 

Because we feel it is important to establish a strong support network for the TOHO Village before building the remaining three homes that will house an additional 18 girls, a trained counselor will office in the home and provide support and guidance to the girls and housemothers.

It will also be a study hall where the girls can concentrate on their homework, as well as a place where they can meet separately with friends, or celebrate special occasions. 

Finally, the home will provide an office for our local sponsorship coordinator, Nicky, who works passionately to oversee the daily activities of the girls and housemothers.

Become a Fan of Tapestry Homes on Facebookand follow our daily progress on building the new home beginning July 4th, or check-out our daily blog posts with photos and videos of the house going up in just 5 days.

We are more grateful than words can express for the continuing support of so many that have come along side Tapestry Homes and the orphaned and abandoned teenage girls who have found refuge in our Tapestry Orphan Homes.

Because of this support, these desperate, neglected and abused girls have found safety and hope and the unconditional love of a Christ-centered community. For the first time in their lives, they are able to dream big dreams and know that they are God’s loved daughters.

Cliff and Rose