Soap, Balm and All Things Knitted

“Mama, all I know is that, when you have friends over to make soap, I just hear a lot of Arabic and laughter coming from the kitchen…” -Caleb

Indeed, having a small and gentle hand in a refugee knitting project has been a source of steady joy for me.  Through friendship with one of the knitters,  I’ve had a loving door opened to me for friendship and creativity with these ladies.  A good friend asked me to teach some non-knitting projects to help expand the project scope a bit.  We chose olive oil soap and balm made with locally harvested olive oil, aided by the creativity and knowledge of a dear local friend who grew up in a nearby village and is a master of all things handmade it seems.  She’s kind of a soap-whisperer.   These ladies have invited me in, fed me, clothed me (some are seamstresses too!), and filled a lot of rooms with laughter and stories.  I’m so grateful….and clean…