For Sisters Only #4: 3-18-12

The week leading up to Saturday, 3-18-2012, was a stormy one.  It rained off and on.  I started visualizing our For Sisters Only posters sliding off the places they had been strategically posted.  On the day of our fourth gathering, we Streets Disciples were hard at work setting up the various stations for the event:  in the gymnasium, we had a large clothing area that the ladies could browse, which included shoes and handbags.  There also was our jewelry area as well set up with beautiful pieces.

 

There was Rev. Barbara's sacred prayer area, which was beautifully appointed with dramatic African artwork and woven kinte cloth.  Surround the sacred space were plants and set upon one of the tables was a beautiful cascading waterfall artwork. Many sisters went over to the place to receive prayers and love, and to unburden themselves of their troubles - to have an open ear to bear witness to their trials and tribulations.

On the opposite side, was an area stocked with toiletry filled goodie bags - shampoo, soap, lotion, and other necessities.  Then there was a station for doing the ladies' hair, with a hair dryer and many magazines to read, making it a nice salon style setting.  As an added perk, we had our manicurists on site and ready to give the ladies beautifully painted and manicured hands.  I saw one sister unable to stop looking at how beautiful her simple manicure was.  She was so pleased.

Not to leave out the children, there was the section just for them with coloring books and games.  Children were free to play and run in the space of the gymnasium. Right in the midst of their mothers' watchful eyes. Children ranging from babies to 11 or 12 years old. They ran, they jumped they tussled and tossed balls, they tackled and played in safety and peace in the large space of the gymnasium.  

Then the manicurists, doing a wonderful job by painting the Sisters' nails and making them pretty.  Allen Temple has a full shower area, which we also made available to our Sisters, and quite a few of them took advantage of the opportunity for a hot shower.

Then the centerpiece of the meeting:  A wonderful meal was prepared by Minister Lana's mother - succulent fried chicken, tamale pie oozing with cheese, green salad, and other goodies as well as a variety of cakes.  There were also refreshments and water.  I wasn't able to serve this time, since I had a horrible cold.   But a cold was not enough to keep me from coming out and supporting this wonderful outreach and connecting with our Sisters!  I stayed off to the side to avoid infecting anyone though.

This day, there were not as many sisters present as the previous event.  Yet many of us noticed that this time, the Sisters were more open and free with us.  We can see the connections being set.  The relationships are coming together and the love is starting to flow.  The ladies felt more relaxed and so did we.  We can see their beautiful spirits starting to emerge.  Their personalities are starting to shine through.

Glory to God!