Hello everyone! While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are complaining of the heat of the summer months and rushing around with our children who are readjusting to their respective schools, the Socias of the Artesania in Manazo, Peru, have been weathering one of the coldest winters on record in their Country! Having been there myself (May of 2008) at the beginning of their wintertime, I can only marvel at their resiliant natures; their ability to withstand intense cold without the benefit of heating systems and appropriate footwear. They are an amazing people and they truly have my respect as well as the respect of anyone who has been there.

One of the ways that our Ladies stay warm is by continuing their work and focusing on the business of the Artesania Pachamama. As I write, they are finishing the process of the 2009 order; they are sewing, knitting, washing, drying, inspecting, packaging, cataloging and preparing paperwork for the shipment that should be received in Charlotte by mid-to-end September. I, for one, am very excited to see the new models that were planned for production this year! I will not give away any secrets, but we are sure to see some variations on some of the existing models as well as some wraps and shawls. The accessories that we love so much should also include new items that have not been available in previous sales.

Some of you are aware that I went to Manazo, by myself, in late January of this year. This gave me a great opportunity to "bond" with Victoria, Alina and the group in general. I was well received and was allowed to live as they live so that there really wasn't any great disparity between us, other than the color of my skin and my height, of course! I got to join in on the rooftop and handwash a month's worth of laundry, passing the clothing from tub to tub, washing it in very caustic laundry powder and rinsing it many times before finally wringing it out and putting it up on lines to dry. The women get together in small groups and help each other; laughing and talking, sharing stories and teasing me (while I was there!), all the while making the workload lighter. Their lives are very simple in a materialistic sense, but they have the same emotional complications and entanglements that we have. I was asked to offer an opinion following an observation of a personal situation that arose while I was there. I was surprised that they considered my thoughts valuable, but I also felt tremendous acceptance as a result. Their hearts are enormous.

While there I was asked numerous times about what our lives were really like in the US. I was probed for information regarding the presidential election and my "take" on how the 2009 sales might go as a result. They may be far away from what we consider civilization, but they do not lack for information and are well-informed on global issues. I did my best to reassure them that we would do our best to produce good sales regardless of our economic position. Their response is prayer; everyday that I was there a prayer for all of YOU was said, a prayer for the United States and a prayer for Sister Barbara. It was beautiful.

I also traveled by bus the six hours to Arequipa and toured the Michell yarn factory, where we buy the bulk of our wool. It enlightened me greatly to witness the complicated and arduous process of "making yarn" from wool. This excursion alone would be a story in and of itself to tell! Suffice it to say that I now deeply appreciate that we sell our goods for a FRACTION of their actual value when taking into consideration ALL of the dedicated hands that touch the sweater you buy beginning with the raw wool to the item it becomes, that one that I tag once it gets here. Wow!

To sum it up, I now truly realize why it is so important that we continue to work for and support the Artesania Pachamama. Those of you who have traveled there, or have purchased products at the annual sales or who have contributed your time and/or money to this wonderful ministry have (perhaps unknowingly) created a human bridge of communication and love between our two Countries. This is what we are here for, what God wants us to do; to be brothers and sisters, giving and receiving, learning and growing. Let's keep it going!