the weaver.

The first time I went to India on a cultural textiles tour, I found myself in a rural village in the middle of a desert, in the home of a weaving family. That day I had chosen to wear a scarf that I had borrowed from my sister. The Master Weaver said to me ‘Where did you get your scarf?’ I replied ‘It’s from Australia but now I think it’s originally from India”.

“That’s my work!” He said to me. “Come and I will show you identical scarves”.

I was amazed that God had brought me to the exact place where that scarf was made. So I bought another one, exactly the same. I was shocked at how little I knew about the people behind the products I buy and use everyday. They are invisible to me.

But they are not invisible to God. And He had brought me face to face with this producer. This is my passion played out through fair trade, to bring consumers face to face with the people behind the products; to value and appreciate their work through both acknowledging their skills and by treating them equally ~ as if they were family.

‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ ~Jesus (Matthew 22:39)