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Several months ago the women of Stitching Hope were invited by the national offices of the United Church of Christ to be present at this year's bi-annual meeting of the denomination in Long Beach, CA! They were invited to sell Stitching Hope products, share the story of Stitching Hope, and to paint the hundreds of yards of fabric that would be used to create the art for this national event.
 Three women were able to attend, with the help and support of their two partners, the Federated Church and In Stitches, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. While there, they met and talked with customers in a global partnership booth in the exhibit hall, experienced vibrant sales of their own and other products from around the world, and began to understand the nature of the commercial marketplace in which their products are sold.  During the week, Stitching Hope was also recognized by the UCC at a women's leadership brunch, where the women spoke to several hundred people about their developing business and the hope they have in their future as they walk together in relationship with JustHope and their partners.  After the meetings, they enjoyed a "day off" at Knotts Berry Farm, where similarities between this once-small-berry farm in southern California and their own developing business in rural Nicaragua were highlighted; they shared hopes and dreams for the future. They encouraged one another to be brave enough to ride exhilarating amusement rides at the park, and pondered the fears that sometimes inhibit risk taking in Nicaragua.  Their visit to the states was extended five more days when theUnited Church of the Valley in Murrieta, CA, invited the women to be their houseguests, to celebrate the Fourth of July, and to worship with them Sunday morning. The women returned home with memories of many experiences to infuse new insight into their business growth, and with a growing perspective of how small businesses can bring social transformation to communities and to the people who live there. ********************************** A Brief Remembrance of Sister Rita Sister Rita spent many of her 95 years in Nicaragua. She was a Maryknoll Sister, a nurse, and a friend. She was known to be feisty, rise to a challenge, and house a beautiful spirit. 
"I never fail to admire and attempt to live the deep faith and hope of these wonderful people through countless catastrophes of nature, an attempt at democracy after a revolution, and political corruption." - Sister Rita | 
