Monday, July 02, 2007

You are qualified

Have you even wondered how in the world you could impact people with your skill? Do you find your heart drawn to foreign countries and maybe even mission but you feel you have asolutely nothing to offer?

Meet my friend Debbie.
Nani, Debbie & Zoey
Debbie is a professional hairstylist from the Netherlands with 9 years of experience in her profession. She works in a modern saloon and trains others in the latest hair styles. Last year we met as we organized some outreaches for the short team missions team Debbie was in. She had fallen in love with Rwanda. When I learned of her profession I mentioned how there is no-one in RWanda who knows how to succesfuly cut the hair of white people. Why wouldn't she come and open a saloon here. It could be a mission field on it's own.


Not realizing the impact these words had made, Debbie emailed and asked if she could come and cut hair for "a good cause". While helping her set it all up she mentioned the proceeds would be for SoZo Ministries Africa!
Here we are 50+ haircuts and about 15 trainings hours later...


Some of the responses of people:
Dear Astrid, Please thank Debbie again for such a good haircut. I do think it makes me look a lot younger and at my age that's great. :)
Thanks again to Debbie for her great act of service to those of us here in Rwanda! Every morning when I look at my hair in the mirror I think about how grateful I am to have a decent haircut again! Doesn’t she want to come back about every 8 weeks?
Some remarked how they felt spiritually empowered as they broke the cycle of self-neglect by receiving a haircut. Other said how they just do not sit still and enjoy something, but now they did. Others felt beautiful again and younger, others has husband ask them to go out for the night, something they had not done for a long time.


If you ever wonder what you can do with your skill in the mission field or in a foreign nation... think about Debbie. She could not have foreseen that her hands would bless so many. That her education would be so practical in the heart of Africa. Do not limit yourself, do not think you have nothing to offer. It is not necessary to have a Phd in one thing or the other. The impact you can make in the lives of others requires of you to be yourself. You are qualified!

Relief and joy of a nice look.

Zoey went short!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW Zo, you look GREAT!
Love Michelle Corbin

Zoey, I wish I could come over to your house in Africa some day! I miss you because I want you to come to our house some days too. I love you Nany and Zoey!
Love Levi

Anonymous said...

Wat is de wereld toch klein..
Wat leuk dat Debbie bij jullie de haren knipt!! Geef haar een dikke knuffel en zeg maar dat alles goed is op 'boerderie'

Meiden, jullie haren zitten super!!

liefs Judith Boeve

Anonymous said...

Wie dikwijls in de spiegel ziet...
Heel leuk, Lisette zo te zien.
Heerlijk bruin. En ze ziet er gezond uit.
Ouders van Lisette op het Kampereiland'.