WEAVING A BASKET OF JOY
By Ong Juat Heng
This pandemic has challenged the mental health of many and one way to alleviate the problem is to get involved in a hobby, as can be seen in the burgeoning of hobbies – from gardening to painting to handicraft to… basket weaving.
Thus began the Asian Beacon Basket Weaving Workshop in March, when gatherings were allowed. Asian Beacon (AB) ran four workshops until the second lockdown phase. Since then, it has become an “addictive” hobby to some of the participants and a fulfilling pastime to the rest.
Here, several participants share their experience and how it has benefitted them. We’ll start with Mary Chan, the Chairperson of AB, talking briefly about the objective of the workshop and the way forward.
For more information on the workshop, please contact aboffice@asianbeacon.org.
Mary Chan
We started this weaving workshop at the AB office with a group of ladies. They each paid a small fee and all the proceeds went to a special AB fund to help the education needs of the needy. The instructor volunteered her time and knowledge FOC.
Through these weaving classes, the participants have picked up a new skill and hobby, and made new friends. It’s such a joy to see their delight when they look at their completed baskets.
We hope that this ministry will, in its small way, contribute to the extension of God’s Kingdom. We intend to extend these classes in partnership with other ministries. Currently, we have individuals and groups waiting to attend our weaving class, so we’ll run the workshop as soon as it’s safe to gather again.
Chan Souk Kuein
The weaving workshop was completely delightful. I’ve always thought that I have some handiwork talent and this workshop gave me the much needed safe and encouraging space to explore. I absolutely love the experience! I’m looking forward to the next workshop as I also love the fellowship with the other ladies. As we weaved and talked, knowing one another deeper, sharing concerns and speaking life to one another, I felt deeply as if God was there to weave our lives together. He knew exactly how we can be put together to give to and receive from one another. Just thinking about it warms my heart. Grateful to Asian Beacon for organising this workshop.
Loke Che Ching
Initially, the weaving workshop was a daunting experience as I’m not a handicraft person. However, I managed to pick up the ropes and enjoy the process. The class was fun and I was proud to complete my first basket after the two-session class. With the instructor’s guidance, I completed my second basket in two days! I got hooked and went on to weave baskets of different sizes to give away as gifts.
During the various lockdown periods, weaving baskets has been therapeutic as it keeps my fingers and mind active. And it’s a great delight to behold the joy on the faces of those who received my baskets. One friend even thought I bought the basket for her!
It’s amazing how a beautiful basket can emerge from two rolls of tapes. This reminds me of the potter making a beautiful pot from a clump of clay. Likewise, we can weave a beautiful basket from the simple tapes, just like our Maker weave the threads of our life into something useful. May we be willing to let our Maker weave us into someone beautiful for His Glory!
Marina Yong
The weaving workshop has provided a nice time of fellowship with those in my class and be inspired by their creativity. It hasn’t become a serious hobby but I’ve set goals to make baskets as Christmas presents.
When weaving, I learn to be patient with myself as I make many mistakes because I’m not a naturally craft-oriented person. I’ve learned from my Father God who is so patient with me every time I make a mistake. He forgives when I repent and though I must bear the consequences, He doesn’t abandon me but takes care of me and lets me start anew.
I’m also amazed at how God designs each one of us so beautifully and imparts His gifting of creativity to everyone. He is limitless in everything. I’m grateful that He’s blessed us with colours and granted some of us with sight to see those colours.
I guess the pleasure we feel in giving something we’ve created and received joyfully by the recipient is the same pleasure God feels over us. He created nature so beautifully for us. He took satisfaction in it. When we enjoy and cherish that, it brings Him great joy.
Adeline Lu
I had zero interest in basket weaving but signed up (for the workshop) as I kiasu (didn’t want to lose out) because so many ladies in my Bible study group had signed up. The workshop was a blur all the way till the end but miraculously, I completed my basket. Then we had a refresher class via Zoom and I began to understand the weaving technique.
The timing was perfect – lockdown and Bible study break. There was ample time to explore the world of weaving. Thus, a new and fulfilling hobby began and I’ve been weaving baskets since then.
Weaving is therapeutic. It helps me focus on something positive instead of on the doom and gloom and uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. It’s also rewarding. While my fingers are busy weaving, my mind can focus on God and pray. Every finished basket is a joy and achievement. My baskets also make perfects gifts as they are woven with love and patience.
Felicier Suppiah
Weaving is fun and a very good pastime, especially during the MCO. Making something functional, beautiful and can be given away is fulfilling and brings joy to my friends who receive them and joy to me when I see them appreciate the gift. I’m thankful to AB for organising the weaving workshop and my dear sister in Christ Juat who took the time to teach us. She set aside time to teach us this amazing craft over two sessions and even taught us to how to apply decoupage on the weaved baskets!
I’m so grateful that she has woven me and my Bible study friends into her life! We’ve spent lots of time together studying a few books of the Bible and these friendships have developed further into sharing hobbies and fundraising together. I feel so blessed that God has intertwined our lives, like the weaving of the tapes into a lovely basket.
Indeed, God is the Master Weaver and we can only see His beautiful work of art on hindsight.
Cing Yee
This weaving skill is the best skill I’ve learned so far because from the preliminary knowledge I’ve gained, I can reproduce and design simple baskets and bags. Weaving calms my soul.
